We live pretty simply when it comes to babies, we’ve never had every gadget or device or baby holder available (which is good since I haven’t gotten rid of anything since Honeybun was born!) My list of baby must haves is pretty compact and even my expanded list of everything we’ve used is fairly small compared to the huuuuge lists you get when doing a baby registry. But there is one item that is not really a “must-have” but that I could definitely not live without: my Boppy pillow.
Technically a nursing pillow for breastfeeding, I discovered the magic of the Boppy pillow long before breastfeeding ever crossed my mind, when I was teaching preschool in Oklahoma.
What is so great about Boppy pillows is that it has so many uses and trust me, will get plenty of use and is well worth the investment (though they’re definitely affordable to begin with!)
(NOTE: I previously received a Boppy Pillow to giveaway to my readers, however, the pillows pictured in this post are ones I bought years ago and my thoughts and opinions regarding the Boppy Pillow were formed long before I received the free item from The Boppy Company and I received no compensation or free products for myself in exchange for hosting the giveaway.)
Here are 10 different uses for a Boppy pillow:
Nursing
This was the Boppy pillow’s original function and it is perfect for this use. It wraps comfortably around mommy’s waist and positions baby at just the right level for tummy to tummy contact which helps achieve a good latch. I’ve tried nursing with what seems like a billion other pillows and props and nothing compares to the ease of a Boppy pillow!
Bottle feeding.
Boppy pillows are great for bottle feeding for a few reasons. First, if you have to feed single-handedly for some reason (holding baby is always the best way to feed, though), the Boppy pillow provides the perfect support for baby so the feeder only had to hold the bottle (it is never recommended to the prop a bottle!) Or the Boppy pillow can be used the same as with breastfeeding to help support the feeder’s arm especially for larger babies, those who like to take their time feeding or for mommies recovering from c-section surgery who may find it uncomfortable to have baby up against their incision.
Butt pillow.
I’ve known plenty of mommies who have used their Boppy pillow as a butt cushion after delivery (or had a spare for this reason). Vaginal birth, whether natural or with an epidural, can result in soreness of the lady parts and if you have a tear and/or require stitches, it is even worse. The Boppy pillow is perfect for relieving pressure on the lady bits while they heal by sitting on the hole (though this is best for on a softer surface like the bed or couch rather than a hard surface as the height difference can cause more discomfort).
Baby Snuggles
New babies love snuggling close and while holding them close is a wonderful thing, it can get uncomfortable trying to manage baby’s weight for extended times. Using a Boppy pillow to support baby’s butt can help so much to keep both baby and baby snuggler comfy and cozy.
Sibling Support
Big brothers and sisters love nothing more than holding new babies but babies can be heavy, wiggly and unwieldy for little arms. With close by adult assistance, using a Boppy pillow helps siblings hold baby more securely and allows them to look at each other as well.
Back Laying.
Boppy pillow is the perfect way to create a little “nest” for your little one to see the world. Place their head and shoulders on the Boppy pillow and their little tush down in the hole. Little one should feel snug as a bug (though never use the Boppy pillow in a crib or leave a baby unattended as even tiny babies can wiggle themselves out of position.)
Propped playing.
When babies are little, they are curious about their world but don’t have the gross motor coordination to grab at hanging toys or lift their heads from a flat laying position. Propping the baby on the Boppy pillow under a toy bar/gym helps them get closer to the toys but also assists their motor abilities by putting them in a reclined position.
Tummy time.
With most mommies being advised to place their babies on their backs to sleep now, many babies despise being on their tummies and while regular tummy time is not essential to long-term healthy growth and development, it never hurts. My little ones always loved being propped on their tummies on the Boppy pillow (once they were strong enough to lift their heads) because it left their arms more free to grab, play and explore. Simply place your baby with their chest on the Boppy pillow, arms draped over the front and knees in the hole. Be sure to always watch little ones playing this way as they can roll or wiggle forwards or backwards and get stuck in precarious situations!
Supported sitting from the front.
Wrap the Boppy pillow around the front of the baby, with his/her arms draped over it and LOTS of pillows surrounding them around the back. This helps them develop the core and lateral strength needed for sitting.
Supported sitting from behind.
Wrap the Boppy pillow behind baby’s back/bum when they are moderately stable sitting upright to provide them with a little extra support and extra cushion if they should fall over (which they will!)
Check out my other baby must haves and list of favorite baby gear.
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My favorite Boppy Pillow products:
Boppy Bare Naked Nursing Pillow
Boppy 2-Pack Nursing Pillow Covers
Boppy Nursing Pillow
A Note from The Boppy Company: The Boppy Pillows should be enjoyed for awake time only in order to prevent positional asphyxia. For proper breathing when using the pillow for propping, do not allow baby to be curled up in the center of the pillow area or be propped up too high on the pillow. Also, do not use in crib, cradle, bassinet, playpen, play yard or bed or leave baby unattended – adult supervision is required. Improper use of this product could result in serious injury or death. Check out our Safe Sleep page for more information.
I’m actually sitting on one right now!! My laptop crashed, so I’m having to use our desktop which also serves as our TV so it’s sitting pretty low. Putting the boppy in a circle and sitting my bum right in it is actually quite comfortable and I can sit and work longer without having to get up up and stretch and scratch from the itchy carpet.
I just bought one today, he hasn’t stopped laughing and playing since i put him on it. He really looks comfortable than being held…
My toddler still loves using her to lean on while shes just sitting around reading and such.
My big kids do too, Patricia, I’m always fighting them for it so I can nurse the baby!
I honestly never used the Boppy for feeding, it was too uncomfortable. But all of my kids absolutely loved it for all of these ways that you put! My favorite is using it as a support pillow when your baby is learning to sit up on their own.
Lauryn, that is my favorite use, too! I do use it regularly for feeding but find I need a little extra support underneath now that my pillow has gone through four kids and lost some of it’s fluff which makes it a little less convenient.
Wish I’d had something like this 40 years ago. Very handy.
This is great actually and kind of ironic because my 17 m old has just re-discovered the boppy so to speak and she loves to sit in it and lie on it as a pillow. so cute! she will probably be mad when baby #2 arrives early next year and he/she uses it.
My kids also love to lay on the boppy, I’m constantly fighting them for it now that baby is here!
i used to prop my son to sleep in the boppy. Until I took the cover off to wash it and it was stitched all over the pillow to not allow babies to sleep in them.
You’re right, Brittany, which is why it is so important to keep an eye on any child if using a Boppy while sleeping just as you should when they are sleeping anywhere other than in a proper baby bed such as swings, bouncers, strollers, car seats, etc.
You forgot dad knapping. This was the greatest knapping pillow I ever had!
I use the boppy my daughter used for my grandbaby to support my arms while crocheting. Works great to decrease arm strain when im in a Christmas time crunch and have to crochet for hours
This is another great use, Angela!