Is a Boppy helpful for breastfeeding?

Starlight32 · March 2016

I bought a Boppy not too long ago because it was $10 off ($20 instead of $30) and two slip covers (~$10 each). I just took it out of the package, and it seems like it might not be very comfortable for breastfeeding! Maybe it's because my tummy is big from being pregnant?

Has anyone used one before? If so, did you find it helpful?

Sydvicious08 · March 2016

Yes. They are very helpful, especially if you have a grazer. Good for propping them up just to prop them too

AmberLiz99 · March 2016

I love mine. I actually like it more for bottle feeding than breast feeding, but it helped my back for both. I haven't tried the other similar products out there so I can't compare, but it has been nice for me to have.

Bee112309 · March 2016

I loved my Boppy for breastfeeding, and it was also good for propping baby up when they are learning how to sit unassisted but still topple easily.

MamaNicoleof3 · March 2016

Add me to the like it/love it club! It's especially great when baby is so small and then you don't have to sit all funny to BF so they're at the right height for your boob.

Huskerfanz · March 2016

Yep! I liked it better than the my breast friend pillow.

fishwife799 · March 2016

For my first it was essential in those first few weeks. She would barely nurse without it. For my second it frustrated him and I almost never used it. I think it just depends on the baby and momma. It is also helpful for other things like pp have mentioned. Propping baby up and things like that.

purplefan1 · March 2016

My SIL never used the one I bought for my nephew so I stole it back and use it as a pillow for myself and it is my favorite pillow I've EVER USED! My vote is to get one and if you don't use if for nursing it has some really other great uses. Ive used them for tummy time and to prop them up for kids I've nannied for.

Starlight32 · March 2016

Thanks for all the replies. Leaning towards keeping it now. I was trying to evualate if the $40 cost was worth it.

alylove11 · March 2016

I also used it for tummy time. I propped my daughter up on her elbows when she is around 2 months old. I think she preferred that since she was able to look around the room instead of staring at the floor.

Boonhilde · March 2016

I brought mine to the hospital and the nurses and coaches told me not to use it and instead prepped me with about 8 pillows. I'm sorry, but I'm not spending 1/2 an hour arranging pillows every time my baby gets peckish! So I used my Boppy constantly. It's nice. Just be sure you don't fall into the pitfalls such as leaning forward while nursing, and not getting your baby close enough to you, or at the right angle. I saw a super helpful video last night while trying to remind myself how to nurse a newborn. https://breastfeedingtoday-llli.org/sore-nipples-when-breastfeeding/

HBamama2B · March 2016

That video is great!

samsonator · March 2016

@Boonhilde
Thanks for the video! Very helpful!

likeabel · March 2016

I have two! One for the living room and one for my bedroom

The first few weeks I rolled up a blanket and put it under my elbow to get DS higher so I didn't need to lean forward.

WinniethePoohsPants · March 2016

Add another vote to the "have one and loved it' poll.

Lyette1206 · March 2016

I had one and didn't love it for nursing - I found it didn't quite fit where I needed it, and it was too hard to use at first with my Csection incision. But, I did use it for other things (see tummy time and propping up almost-sitters). I found I eventually just used a regular pillow for nursing, as it was easier to jam in where I needed it. I'll give it another try this time though, since I have it already!

Starlight32 · March 2016

I do like that it has other uses besides nursing in case it doesn't are nursing easier!

totsabounding · March 2016

I got two with my first, one for her nursery and one to keep right next to the couch...they came in SUPER handy!

VikingGirl12 · March 2016

I didn't like it for nursing with DS. It felt awkward and I couldn't get him in a good position. However, I love the boppy pillow for other things. We used it constantly to lay him in.

Lilwatz · March 2016

I'm in the minority too. I got a boppy and brest friend at my shower for my daughter. My lactation consultant talked me into switching from the boppy to the brest friend and I never looked back (for feeding). The brest friend has a hard angle where the boppy is rounded. The rounded part causes the baby to roll toward you making the latch harder. My daughter had a hell of a time figuring out the latch and the brest friend made it sooooo much easier.

Having said all of that, we used the boppy a TON for not breastfeeding related things. Tummy time, sitting up help, etc. I actually recommend both.

vulpini · March 2016

I liked it for propping up my son when he was learning to sit but I prefered the my breast friend pillow for our short nursing stint. It was a little thicker and firmer and so worked better for my 4.5-5.5lb preemie.

NLewis1 · March 2016

I liked mine for in the beginning when we were both learning. But I have to say my husband also loved it. He felt like it out his arms in a good comfy position to hold our son and he kinda used it to learn how to hold a new baby!

Also good for propping baby up on their tummy or around sitters that still topple over a bit

Starlight32 · March 2016

Thanks all! I decided to keep Boppy; the pillow and slip covers are all washed and ready for when baby gets here!

snowhite12 · March 2016

the boppy is also great for sitting on hard surfaces after you have a vaginal birth too

MamaNicoleof3 · March 2016

And if you don't like it for BFing/feeding or any of the other things listed above, use it for a comfy pillow for yourself! I had to get an extra just for my H.

btorgers · March 2016

I have both a breast friend and a boppy and used them both. I found the breast friend to be better if my son was grazing but used by boppy as well. Boppys are great for tummy time and to lay them in as well. If you kid has acid reflux it will help to prop him/her as well. I would keep it, you could always sell it later on if you don't use it. I also agree with two covers!

ufsandra85 · March 2016

I didn't like my bopppy but i loved my brest friend

VikingGirl12 · March 2016

MamaNicoleof3 said:

And if you don't like it for BFing/feeding or any of the other things listed above, use it for a comfy pillow for yourself! I had to get an extra just for my H.

Haha this. I think I saw DH with it around his neck more than we used it for baby!

vulpini · March 2016

snowhite12 said:

the boppy is also great for sitting on hard surfaces after you have a vaginal birth too

This. It doubles nicely as "doughnut pillow"

BlueJuice · March 2016

I loved mine and nursed with it way past the point where I probably needed it (it pretty much lived in my living room for two+ years). But I didn't actually haul it around with me when we would go to the in-laws or whatever, so I wouldn't say it's indispensable. And of course different people will have different experiences with what pillows or nursing supports they prefer, but I liked it and found it helped make supporting the baby easier, especially when I felt like I was nursing around the clock and spent a lot of time balancing a baby and a laptop in order to maintain sanity. Plus it is nice as a support for a somewhat older baby too, like others have said.

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Is a Boppy helpful for breastfeeding?

Re: Is a Boppy helpful for breastfeeding?

Mrs. H

Crohn's Dx: August 2008

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Married: 05/19/2012

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