I am thoroughly confused on whether or not to order a Boppy. In my breastfeeding class, our teacher said not to get one because it encourages the baby to position himself more on his back than on his side, which prevents a good latch, leading to all those awful symptoms of breastfeeding. Then I was reading some articles on breastfeeding on FitPregnancy.com last night and it said one of the best ways to combat back pain postpartum was to use a breastfeeding pillow so that you don't arch over to feed the baby and to position him at the correct height. I'm already dealing with previous back injuries and I really don't want to exacerbate them more than they already are, but I also don't want to create more problems with breastfeeding than I need to. I'm also thinking that, if I have some discomfort from labor (something that I worry about more and more every day I am overdue), it might be nice to have to sit on.
Has anyone used a Boppy or breastfeeding pillow, and would you recommend it or not? What has worked best for you?
Re: Boppy or no Boppy?
I used mine to breastfeed my son with no issues (in all fairness, I haven't tried anything else). Even if you don't use it for breastfeeding, it's still good to have around for holding the baby or lying the baby in when you need five baby-free minutes.
If you don't get a Boppy, I'd get some sort of support for breastfeeding, especially if you're already dealing with back issues. HTH!
Love my Boppy for BFing, propping (when supervised), sitting (when older), etc... DD still likes to play with it and sit in it.
I have a Breast Friend, by DD always fell asleep on it, I think she got too warm.
I had a Boppy and used it every time I nursed at home until DD was close to 9 months I think. It worked for us really well and I never noticed positioning or latch issues due to it.
Definitely get some kind of breastfeeding support pillow like PPs suggested or even see if you can borrow one from someone to decide.
ETA: I already have mine washed up and packed for the hospital!
I may be in the minority but I really like nursing with the boppy, and it's worked well for both DS1 and DS2 now. Both of them are able to nurse on their side, tummy to my tummy, which is works best for us.
I haven't tried my breast friend, so not sure how it compares.
DS1: Quinn - 10.22.10 and DS2: Cole - 01.18.13
I love my Boppy. It can be tricky when BFing because LO can roll if you're not sitting upright and pulling LO snug, tummy to tummy. Sometimes I just position the Boppy sideways instead of directly over my abdomen just to give my arm something to rest on.
I use it for the football hold and cross cradling. I wouldn't really say that the Boppy, in itself, helps with back pain. What I've found that helps is piling up firm pillows behind me for lumbar support, turning the heating pad on, and resting my back on that. The Boppy, to me, is best used to hold my arm up and to keep it from getting tired while cradling LOs body and head.
ETA: I do sit in a pretzel type position to lift the Boppy up so LO is at the right height. Maybe that's the issue pps are talking about?
Good idea, I'll try to remember to bring mine. Thanks!
Married to DH 10.29.11
DD born 1.26.13
DS born 6.12.14
#3 due 12.6.16
Get a Boppy! I can totally BF my son on his side with NO problem.
I brought my Boppy to the hospital but the nurses and the lactation consultant always propped me up with pillows instead and never "let" me use my Boppy. They were obsessed with building a little freaking fort around me every single time my son wanted some food. It's SO much easier to just grab the Boppy and go to town!
Is the Boppy perfect? No. But you'll be able to make it work. It only takes an IQ of about 3 to prop up some blankets under the Boppy in order to make it a better height, or to slide your hand under your LO's head to get him higher, or lower your legs so he sits lower... it's just such an easier way to go.