Boppy vs. My Brest Friend? Trying to decide which nursing pillow to add to your baby registry? A good nursing pillow is a must have if you plan to breastfeed. Even if you are bottle feeding, it can be a useful tool to prop up your baby on your lap for feeding or for cuddles!
A well-meaning friend might have told you “you don’t really need a nursing pillow, just use a regular pillow!” Sure… you could probably get by without a designated nursing pillow, but did you know that newborns eat 8-12 times per day? A regular pillow does not offer the support and comfort a nursing pillow can give you. Believe me, your back will thank you!
In this review I will go over the pros and cons of the two most popular choices for nursing pillows: Boppy and My Brest Friend. I have used both extensively and will explain my experiences with both.
Let’s dive in.
Boppy
When I got pregnant, I had only heard about Boppy. I didn’t even know other options existed! Boppy is definitely the most well marketed nursing pillow out there, but is it the best one? Let’s go over some of the features Boppy has to offer.
Pros:
Fully machine-washable
Both the pillow cover and the inner pillow can be washed! This is so convenient when you have leaking milk, spit ups, or blowouts while feeding with the pillow (who said motherhood was a clean job?). When it comes to hygiene, Boppy is superior to My Brest Friend, which only offers a machine washable cover.
Quick positioning
The Boppy is shaped as a “C” which ergonomically fits around your waist and allows you to quickly put it on to feed your baby. I also found that the Boppy fit perfectly snug in between the arms of my nursery chair which was a lifesaver for those middle of the night feedings.
Multiple uses as your baby grows!
The Boppy pillow’s uses go beyond feeding. Boppy boasts that their pillow can be used for propping up babies at three months or older, tummy time at babies six months or older, and assisted sitting for babies nine months and older.
The Boppy was a lifesaver for me when I was trying to get my little one used to tummy time. My little one hated tummy time in those early months and the boppy allowed him to last a little longer on his tummy compared to when we placed him on a flat surface. Please note: you should never leave your baby unattended while using the Boppy!
Large selection of designs
Are you looking for that adorable print that perfectly matches your nursery theme or color scheme? I found that the Boppy offers the largest selection of pillow cover options. They have endless stylish and modern designs to choose from.
Cons:
Shifts position easily
One of the biggest shortcomings of the Boppy is that it easily slides around while nursing. Unlike the breast friend, there is no strap keeping it in place. It also has a rounded top, so it’s easy for the baby to roll into the space between the pillow and your waist which can be frustrating when you are trying to keep the baby latched and in a comfortable position.
No back support.
Because of the pillows “C” shape, the space behind your back is left bare with no support. When using the boppy, I often had to place a second pillow behind me to support my lower back while nursing.
My Brest Friend
I had only heard of Boppy until about a month after I had my baby. A friend offered to give me her My Brest Friend pillow. I wasn’t sure I would like it, but I still took her up on her offer and gave it a try. I am sure glad I did because I ended up discovering some things I really liked about My Brest Friend. It still had some shortcomings though. I’ll explain further.
Pros:
Back support
Whereas Boppy is shaped as a “C”, My Brest Friend is shaped as an “O” with a section of padding that reaches all the way around your waist, and a strap that clicks together to hold it in place. The padding in the lower back area offers a lot of support, which allows you to sit in a more relaxed position while feeding. In my opinion this made My Brest Friend superior to Boppy when it came to comfort!
Secures around your waist
My Brest Friend has an adjustable strap that you can click into place around your waist. This meant that I could snap it on and walk around freely with the pillow still on! This was very convenient if I needed to set the baby down or pick him up without having to take the pillow on or off.
Remember that sliding problem the Boppy had? Well the My Brest Friend has it all figured out! Since it snaps around your waist it stays in the exact position you set it to throughout the entire feeding, creating a secure experience for both mom and baby.
Bumps offer head support
The My Brest Friend Pillow features two small bumps on both the left and right sides of the pillow. The bumps act as head supports for your baby to be in a comfortable nursing position. This is extra helpful during the newborn stage when your baby’s neck stabilizing muscles are still developing.
It has a storage pocket
We love pockets right? My Brest Friend pillow covers have an attached storage pocket. When you’re in the middle of a nursing session, you’re probably going to be stuck where you’re sitting. Getting up to grab a burp cloth, water bottle, or your phone won’t be an option until after your baby finishes drinking. Having a storage pocket allows you to have your items always within reach.
Cons:
Not fully machine washable
While the cover can be taken off and washed, the pillow cannot be washed. The pillow is made of foam that can not be machine washed. This bothered me since often times milk and spit up would leak through the cover slip and into the pillow and I wouldn’t have a way to wash it. Over time removing the cover to wash it also became difficult because the inner foam would disintegrate around the edges and foam particles would get everywhere! This is a major design flaw in my opinion!
Single Function
Unlike the Boppy, My Brest Friend’s only advertised use is for nursing. They don’t offer other uses such as propping, tummy time, or assisted sitting.
Limited Cover Options
While My Brest friend does have a few design options for their covers, their selection is lacking in comparison to the variety of modern prints that Boppy has available. If you don’t particularly care about what the design of the cover is and only care about the functionality of the pillow, then this won’t be a problem for you.
Comparison
So now that you’ve seen some of the major pros and cons of the Boppy and My Brest Friend nursing pillows, let’s summarize and compare the features of the two.
Side by Side Comparison
Boppy vs. My Brest Friend
| The Boppy | My Brest Friend | |
| Price | Check price | Check Price |
| Size | 19.9 x 16.75 x 6.5 inches | 23 x 15.5 x 5.5 inches |
| Machine Washable Cover? | ✓ | ✓ |
| Machine Washable Pillow? | ✓ | ✘ |
| Body Strap? | ✘ | ✓ |
| Back Support? | ✘ | ✓ |
| Additional Uses ? (propping, tummy time, sitting) | ✓ | ✘ |
| Storage Pocket? | ✘ | ✓ |
Conclusion
Which nursing pillow is best?
BOTH! I know… that’s the predictable answer. In my experience, they were both extremely useful throughout my breastfeeding journey and where one lacked, the other worked. I highly recommend having more than one nursing pillow. While breastfeeding, you can feel like your baby is constantly attached to your boob! It’s a lifesaver to have a nursing pillow in every room you spend a lot of time in: the living room, your bedroom, the nursery, the car, you name it! I hope this review has given you the information you need to make the best choice in nursing pillow.
Which nursing pillow are you most excited to try?
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