Breast feeding? Get a Boppy!

It was with mixed feelings that I accepted to review the Boppy pregnancy and breastfeeding pillow, the popular US accessory now making its UK debut.

I’m practically at the end of my nursing relationship with my youngest (about to drop his final bedtime feed) and since we’ve been doing it without support for so long, it felt weird laying him on a pillow.

Weird, but surprisingly comfortable despite his size.

I’m no stranger to the Boppy. It was literally the one product (apart from her breast pump) that my sister couldn’t live without when she became a mother.

When I asked for tips during my first pregnancy, her one piece of advice was ‘Get a Boppy’.

So what’s the big deal about Boppy? It’s one of those simple but brilliant ideas that was definitely invented by another mama. A fairly solid wedge of fabric that curves around your body, providing a comfy but secure base for breastfeeding. It’s just the right height so that baby can access your boobies without straining his neck and without you getting the dreaded hunch back.

I bought another maternity and breastfeeding pillow when I was pregnant with Jed and I slept with it every night. I’m sure it helped somewhat but when it came to nursing it was too soft and floppy to provide adequate support. I used it for a few weeks but soon abandoned it. It was pretty much useless as a rest for Jed when he was starting to sit.

Boppy is like a mini-armchair for little ones. It’s aimed at babies just learning to sit but when the pillow arrived, Ezra (4) and Jed (17 months) fought for turns to sit inside it and both seemed quite comfy.

However, the Boppy’s strong point – its solidity – also turns out to be its downfall. You’ll find that it’s not very flexible when it comes to storing it away neatly, packing it in your suitcase or even popping around to a friend’s for the day. If you’re used to the Boppy, nothing else will do so it’s annoying suddenly having to make do with random sofa cushions or your own lap.

Still, I’d highly recommend Boppy for any woman who’s pregnant or nursing. It makes a great gift so bag one for a buddy, put it on your baby shower register or treat yourself. Your baby – and your back – will thank you.

Play the Game!
Check out Mom’s Revenge, a fun game created to promote Boppy. If you’re a new mum, you’ll definitely relate to each stage of the challenge!

Requires Flash Player

Find out more at the Boppy web site