Boppy to the Rescue!

One of the best things about breastfeeding (aside from the health aspects for mom and baby, of course) is the fact that you don’t need to spend a lot of money. Nature has already given you everything that you need. There are a few items, however, that can make the process a bit easier on Mom, and a Boppy is at the top of that list.

Why a Boppy?
Proper positioning is crucial for a correct latch (and we all know that a bad latch can lead to a lot of pain!). The Boppy helps to bring baby to the correct height for nursing, so that mom does not have to lean forward to nurse baby. This helps you to maintain your posture (thus saving your back) and also gives you a spot to rest your arms. Most babies nurse frequently, especially in the beginning, and it’s so important to make those nursing sessions as comfortable as possible for both Mom and baby.

Is the Boppy comfortable?
The Boppy was comfortable after both my c-section and my VBAC, so the shape is appropriate for moms recovering from either type of birth.

Only for Breastfeeding?
The Boppy can also help to support your little one as he/she learns to sit, and it also comes in handy for tummy time. My 6 month old loves to lean over the boppy on her tummy to play with her toys. The Boppy isn’t something that is outgrown quickly, since it has many uses (In fact, my three year old still enjoys sleeping with the Boppy pillow that we used in her infancy!).
The Boppy pillow would also be useful for expressed milk or formula bottlefeeding.

Other features:
-the Boppy is machine washable (cold water on the delicate cycle, then dry on low heat)
-the Boppy is one-size-fits-all, so it should be the right size for most moms (Personally, I think taller moms or those with a longer torso might find that this pillow doesn’t hold the baby high enough for comfortable nursing)
-Boppy makes many beautiful slip covers that all fit the Bare Naked Boppy, so you can change up the look and always have one clean & ready to go

I do recommend buying a brand-new Boppy (as opposed to buying used or taking a hand-me-down), because they tend to lose their shape after a few months, and it’s helpful to have a full, round Boppy while you are getting the hang of nursing your newborn. Boppy does recommend putting a sneaker or a tennis ball in a pillow case into the dryer with your Boppy, as this is supposed to help retain the shape. I can’t attest to this specific idea, though, as I haven’t tried that method yet.