When it comes to breastfeeding there are SO MANY options. One of the products that made the biggest impact on my breastfeeding journey was a surprise to me.
The nursing pillow.
The Breastfeeding Pillow That Nearly Ruined It For Me...
I know many women just use a pillow or two but that was frustrating for me. Trying to fold, tuck, and prop when my newborn was hungry and impatient.
Many women have probably really enjoyed their Boppy Breastfeeding Pillow. NOT ME! I would go as far as to say I LOATHE this product. It caused an immense amount of stress and ultimately made breastfeeding my newborn more difficult.
Full disclosure – maybe part of the reason why the Boppy did not work for me is because of my size. After giving birth I probably weighed about 210 pounds, give or take.
I do not believe that was the fundamental issue though. The main issue was with the product itself.
The Major Downfall
The Boppy is a “C shaped” pillow with soft stuffing material. It is shaped in a way that the stuffing creates a curve over the top of the pillow.
Nice and soft – sounds like a good thing right? Wrong! The softness and curve of the pillow caused my newborn to roll in towards my body in a way that completely misaligned her and prevented her from having a good latch.
I took my Boppy to the hospital when I gave birth and after trying to use it a few times I gave up and used regular pillows out of desperation. I tried it at home as well and felt I could never get the pillow positioned just right.
After a few frustrating (understatement!) days at home I finally broke down and ordered the “My Brest Friend Original Nursing Pillow”. I didn’t want to spend the money on a duplicate baby item (to be honest I’m cheap!), but what I was doing was not working…
More From Fumble Mumble Mom:
The Breastfeeding Pillow That Saved My Sanity
When the My Brest Friend arrived I was ecstatic but also skeptical. Could this really make that much of a difference?
I’m here to tell you it did. It made all the difference for me.
The My Brest Friend is superior in every aspect of functionality.
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The Shape
Also a “C shape” but it curves behind you instead of just around you abdomen.
It's Secure
It has a strap that buckles and this helps keep the pillow snug against your body.
It's Firm
It’s made out of a foam material that is firm but still comfortable. For comparison – it’s definitely more soft than my baby’s crib mattress but more firm than my memory foam mattress topper.
Flat Surfaces
Having a flat surface to position baby was ESSENTIAL for baby and I to be comfortable and for her to maintain a good latch. I didn’t have to worry about her rolling in and out of position because there was no curve she was trying to balance on (of course you should always have a hand on baby with any nursing pillow just in case).
Supportive
Remember above how I said the “C shape” wraps around you? They also added some extra support back there. It made a huge difference when I was sitting in bed breastfeeding – multiple times a night, every single night!
It Has a Pocket
I am one of those girls that exclaims with glee “it has pockets!” when someone compliments a dress.
Same here!
I regularly used it store a spit up rag and my phone was in there often.
Don't be fooled by beauty
I’ll admit it. The Boppy is more appealing to the eye. Probably because of their multiple bright and beautiful cover designs and the soft simple looking shape.
It may also be more appealing because you see it more often. Like when you’re browsing the baby sections at your local Walmart or Target.
Don’t let this suck you in like a moth to a flame…you know what happens to that moth right?
You can easily order the My Brest Friend on Amazon and if you don’t love it the My Brest Friend is eligible for return (at least at the time I wrote this article).
Another reason I thought I would prefer the Boppy is because it’s often advertised as being great to prop your baby; two for one (showing my cheapness again)! I did not like it for that either. When propping her on her tummy it caused her back to arch or she tipped over the top onto her face, I liked a much smaller propping pillow instead.
I will admit I did use the Boppy when my daughter started sitting to help her stay upright, but it was not worth the price tag for this feature. I ended up just throwing some pillows around her not long after she started sitting up.
My lactation consultant
One of the best tips the hospital Lactation Consultant gave me was to bring baby to you, not to hunch over to try and position yourself towards baby. This problem all but disappeared when I obtained the My Brest Friend pillow.
I remember showing up to my after discharge consultation with my Boppy and I almost immediately noticed that my LC had My Brest Friend pillows hanging up…that should have been my sign right there! (I do suggest scheduling this appointment, I almost didn’t but one of the doctors in the hospital suggested I schedule it before I was discharged and I am eternally grateful for her suggestion.)
(By the way, the second best takeaway from my LC was these AAAAMAZING soothing gel pads. You can reuse them a few times. Just stick them in the fridge then run a tiny bit of cool water on them then slap them on! They were soothing and healing and if I would have known I could buy these myself I wouldn’t have reused the 2 she gave me far beyond their stickiness.)
Don't just take my word
Still not convinced? Try to find discussion threads like this one, they are from real moms’ experiences and you’ll find more honest reviews.
I do just want to mention, in case you’re wondering, I do not at this time have any affiliation with My Brest Friend. This is an honest, bottom of my heart review. One that I blurt to every pregnant woman I know who is thinking about breastfeeding!
So, have you used either of these pillows? Did I miss something that you loved or hated about either?
