I remember the first time I nursed my daughter. Exhausted, emotional, and unsure, I clutched her awkwardly in the hospital bed, trying desperately to find the right breastfeeding position. My arms ached, my back strained, and she just wouldn’t latch. Then a nurse slipped a soft, U-shaped pillow behind me and said, “Let the pillow do the work.” Everything changed.
That pillow was a Boppy a type of nursing support cushion and over the next year, it became one of the most-used items in our house. And I’m not alone. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, proper infant feeding position is essential for both baby’s safety and mom’s comfort, and tools like nursing pillows can significantly improve that experience1.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to use a Boppy pillow, back it up with research, and show you how it evolves with your baby from feeding support to tummy time, sitting practice, and beyond.
What Is a Nursing Pillow?
A nursing pillow is a specially designed cushion that supports your baby during feeding. Unlike regular pillows, it conforms to your body and lifts your baby to breast level improving breastfeeding ergonomics and reducing muscle fatigue. It also serves as a baby feeding pillow during bottle-feeding sessions and a supportive aid for developmental milestones.
How to Use a Breastfeeding or Support Pillow
Wrap the pillow around your waist and place your baby on top so they rest at breast height. This encourages a proper latch and supports both the cradle hold and football hold, two common positions for feeding.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing found that using ergonomic aids during nursing reduces maternal discomfort by up to 60%2.
Keywords used: Nursing pillow, infant feeding position, breastfeeding position, football hold, cradle hold, nursing support cushion
What Age Do You Use a Boppy Pillow?
You can begin using a Boppy from birth as a bottle-feeding pillow or breastfeeding support cushion. As your baby grows, the pillow transitions into a tummy time support (from around 3 weeks), and later helps with sitting support for babies (typically 4 to 6 months). Most parents retire the pillow by 12 months.
C-Shape vs. U-Shaped Nursing Pillows
Most Boppy-style pillows are C-shaped, ideal for flexibility and portability. U-shaped nursing pillows, like the My Brest Friend, offer full wraparound support and are often preferred during the early postpartum period for their adjustable nursing pillow design.
What Makes a Nursing Pillow Different?
Unlike throw pillows, a multi-purpose nursing pillow is firm enough to support your baby’s weight and maintain shape during feeding. They’re also designed to align your baby’s head and spine, enhancing newborn head support and promoting safe feeding.
How to Lay a Baby on a Boppy Pillow
For feeding, place your baby’s body across the top of the pillow, head near your chest. For lounging, lay them in the curve with their head slightly elevated ideal for post-feed relaxation. During tummy time, lay your baby across the top, chest down and arms forward.
Is Boppy Good for Tummy Time?
Absolutely. Using the Boppy for tummy time support encourages babies to lift their heads, build upper body strength, and engage their core. The CDC recommends daily tummy time beginning in the first few weeks to aid development and prevent flat head syndrome3.
Can You Sit a Baby in a Boppy?
Yes but only once your baby has some neck and trunk control. Position the pillow around their hips like a soft ring to offer sitting support. Always supervise, and never leave baby propped in the pillow unattended.
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Boppy Pillow Positions for Newborns
- Feeding Support: cradle or football hold
- Bottle-Feeding Pillow: same as breastfeeding position
- Lounging: reclined in the center curve
- Tummy Time: chest on top
- Sitting Practice: ring around hips and lower back
These positions make the Boppy one of the most adaptable parenting tools available.
What Are the Benefits of a Boppy Pillow?
- Encourages proper breastfeeding ergonomics
- Supports bottle-feeding with one or both arms free
- Aids tummy time and motor development
- Prevents neck/back pain for parents
- Useful beyond infancy as a baby lounge pillow or lap cushion
Over 90% of new moms report using a multi-purpose nursing pillow daily during the first 6 months, according to BabyCenter’s 2023 Parent Survey4.
What Is Better Than a Boppy?
If you need more structure, consider the My Brest Friend, which features a strap-on design and a flat surface to keep baby from rolling. It’s one of the top alternatives for moms needing more firm support or recovering from a C-section.
How to Use a Boppy Pillow While Pregnant
Boppy pillows aren’t just for babies. Pregnant moms often use them to support the lower back, wedge between knees during side-sleeping, or rest arms while lounging. It’s especially helpful during the third trimester when pressure points increase.
Boppy Uses Beyond Feeding
Your Boppy can also become:
- A lap desk cushion during recovery
- A photo prop for newborn shoots
- A travel pillow for long car rides
- A reading support for toddlers
Just remember: never use it for sleep. The CPSC warns against letting babies nap in nursing pillows due to suffocation risk5.
Final Thoughts
From the first latch to first steps, a nursing pillow like the Boppy proves its worth over and over again. It adapts as your baby grows, supports both of you during early challenges, and even finds new purpose as they learn to sit, play, and explore.
What was your most surprising Boppy use? Share your tips with other parents in the comments below.
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Sources:
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2021). Breastfeeding and the Use of Human Milk. https://pediatrics.aappublications.org ↩
- Fu, S. et al. (2020). “Effectiveness of ergonomic support in breastfeeding: A systematic review.” Journal of Clinical Nursing. ↩
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Tummy Time Basics. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/tummytime.html ↩
- (2023). Newborn Feeding Survey. https://www.babycenter.com ↩
- S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (2021). Infant Deaths Prompt CPSC Warning About Nursing Pillows. https://www.cpsc.gov ↩
