You are here : glowstars.net » Reviews, Sponsored » Boppy

Boppy

Posted on Thursday, July 15, 2010 By Glowstars.

You’ve only got to look at me know know that I have back problems. If all of me had the proportions of Barbie (instead of just my top half) I’d probably spend my days walking around bent at the waist. When breastfeeding proper support is essential; I can’t afford for the weight of Little Mister to be pulling me forward and straining my back even more.

Boppy sent me their nursing pillow to review. I’d heard about it before I was contacted, but it was one of those American things. In fact they believe that over one million American parents have adopted it. Boppy has been named the #1 baby product seven years running in the USA.

I wasn’t convinced.

The obvious use of the pillow is for feeding support and regardless of whether you’re nursing or bottlefeeding Boppy can be used with its ergonomic position designed to relieve stress on your back, neck and shoulders. The pillow’s horseshoe shape surrounds your body meaning that no matter how big your baby nor whether you use a more traditional or rugby style hold, they’re still supported. I have a short body and large and saggy boobs, I found that Little Mister needed to be in a much lower position than he was when upon Boppy. As a result I had him on the pillow and was having to lift my breast right up to meet him. Not ideal. The Miracle Middle stretch panel is supposed to stretch to fit most waists but it wouldn’t stretch enough for mine and just felt uncomfortable around me. Now I know I’m not the thinnest of people but I’m certainly not the largest of mums out there.

But never mind. Nursing isn’t the only use for Boppy. Baby can rest back against it before they’re able to sit or on their front against its back for tummy time. For smaller babies who need that extra support it gives a different angle to view the world at. As baby grows Boppy makes a supportive nest for them to sit amongst when learning how to balance and sit unaided. It could probably even be used in pillow fights when they’re that bit older!

Boppy is made from a soft-touch polyester fibre padding which is firm enough to guarantee secure support for the baby. This type of padding guarantees the right amount of support for the baby so their position doesn’t change during feeding. Unfortunately it was this support that made Boppy difficult for me to use.

Boppy can be bought with (or without) removable covers for customisation and easy machine washing but in the event the pillow itself needs a good clean, it can be thrown in the machine at a low temperature.

If you’ve got time amongst the nursing, nappy changing and cleaning Boppy have a game on their website. Mom’s Revenge gives you the chance to test the advice of well-meaning but ill-informed friends, get the mother-in-law to do all your housework (if only in the real world!) and penalise your other half for being home late by making him take care of the baby and house all day long.

You can find Boppy in Mothercare where covers start at £12.99 and the pillow at £49.99. It is one of the more expensive nursing pillows around though and for our family its performance doesn’t justify the price.