Boppy mania
Being a Mom, there is just nothing like breastfeeding to me. After having that choice taken from me with my first child, watching her starve on just my milk and being ordered to put that poor baby on formula, I made it my personal mission to crack breastfeeding when my second child came along. And I almost got it, at least half way although the poor little guy still ended up topped up on formula. However we enjoyed breastfeeding together until just before his first birthday which was more than I could have asked. When the third baby came along, call it destiny or just Mars aligning with Venus or something but that time we did it. Full time breastfeeding without formula for a solid year. I was in such heaven I cried knowing she was surviving on just my milk and it felt like some sort of achievement minus a trophy. Ah hem, I did ask for a trophy and let me just mention I never got it. Whatever.
So here I am, fourth time round and so far the breastfeeding has been going absolutely wonderful, even though recently I had to top him up with formula since he wasn’t putting the weight on he should be. But honestly it’s not much more than just the odd bottle or two and I couldn’t be more proud of myself and him. I’m not knocking bottle feeding at all, but when you have the choice to make yourself I believe it’s a whole lot different than when it’s taken away from you. For me, breastfeeding has been one of the many very special bonding moments with my children that I have been so grateful to have had with them.
But you know what isn’t special? Sitting in ”the chair” with 400 pillows around me, sweating like a pig while my little one breastfeeds for who knows how long this time with me attempting to do something clever with all those pillows so I can read my book and drink while I feed him. Umm, they really haven’t made Bluetooth Breastfeeding with a Hands Free set yet. We evolve far too slow for my liking. So when Boppy approached me and asked if I wanted to review one of their breastfeeding support pillows I was like Bring. It. On. Anything to replace my 400 pillows next to ”the chair” would be a welcomed substitute.
When it arrived, in the most enormous box I might add, I was eager to try it straight away since I pretty much breastfeed like all day. I was expecting, just a horseshoe shaped limp pillow, with the whole wow factor being in the shape. But what I got was a really solid horseshoe shaped pillow that easily moulds around me and baby absolutely perfectly. The pillow was much bigger than I was expecting, and yet not so big that you end up sweating anyway with it around you. The middle can fold in a bit, almost like hinge, making it very easy to pull open and mould around you. Jared fits lovely and snug in it, with his head supported at the perfect height for feeding and guess what?
I am handsfree feeding you guys! Whooo!!
Actually, I’m feeding him right now as I type this post out! How cool is that? The other really great thing is that you can get slip covers for it, making it far more hygenic and of course fun since you can pick a cute design. I got sent a really girly one, so I’m in the market for a more boyish cover. Having a look on their packaging too, it’s not just exclusively a pillow for breastfeeding, it also works as a great support to the baby when learning to sit up, or to lie him in from birth. Jared is loving sitting in it on his own to see everything that’s going on and on my lap facing me for some chatty time. Being a penny savvy Mom, I like the multifunction feature of using it for different purposes. It makes me feel like I get more for my money.
The downside? It’s not exactly travel size, so this isn’t a pillow that you’re going to be needing on the go. I mean, it comes in a great plastic carry case for those family holiday get togethers, but really it’s not a go outside the house sort of pillow. But for the time you are indoors, it’s fast going to be a must have to make breastfeeding more comfortable. Since Boppy is just launching here in the UK, I have no idea what the UK price will be for, so I can’t tell you if I feel it’s value for money. In the states it’s currently retailing at Target for $34.99 with a slipcover. Value for money in my opinion, is going to be based on how long you plan on breastfeeding. Since I plan to feed him for a year, it would be money very well spent ( if it was a similar price to the US) to make feeding far more comfy for both the little one and me. The other issue with this pillow is that I can see in certain chairs or sitting positions, it could be a little fidely finding a comfy position for you and baby. However, I’ve only really encountered this once so far with most of the other times getting into a comfortable position very quickly and easily.
On the whole, I personally would part with my hard earned cash to buy such a pillow now after having actually seen one in use. It’s probably not something I would have considered a must have before seeing one if I’m totally honest. But now using it every day since it’s arrival, it has been a godsend! My Step-Mom has also confirmed that it’s on the shopping list of many new Mom’s in the States already, with lots of baby shower gift lists sporting a Boppy. Word of mouth has made the Boppy really popular there and I can see why. I predict it won’t be long before the Boppy Mania sets in the UK.
Here’s a cute little game Boppy have put together in honor of their UK launch and I hope you have fun playing it! FYI, getting to the part where you get your Mother in Law to clean for you is awesome. However if you score higher than me, we’re not allowed to discuss that. So if you are expecting, or know something that’s expecting, I would recommend checking out Boppy especially if you plan to breastfeed for a while. Either that or you can stick to your 400 pillows sweating like a pig waiting for the Bluetooth Handsfree breastfeeding set to be invented. I’m working on it.
Can”t see the game? http://www.boppyworld.co.uk/MomsRevengeBlog.aspx
Awesome. there was no such thing when I nursed my boys 36 years ago…but then again there were no computers, either! lol
Eva Gallant´s last blog ..Girls Night Out
Eva, I know right!? I wish they had this when I had my first child or at least my second! But I will lap up the use of this one and use it to drown my tears in when I’m all upset about him going to college. ”I used to feed you with this pillow!!!!! *SOB CRY WHINE* Feel sorry for my kids wont you?
I am a huge fan of nursing pillows! The boppy is great and I use it despite the fact that my 3rd child is no longer breast-fed. But having nursed two other children well into their 3rd year, I can attest to it’s practical value. I don’t use ours any more but my daughter’s do…constantly. There’s always a baby doll in it and my oldest swears it’s her favorite pillow.
Rebekah C´s last blog ..Epically Lame Weighty Wednesday
I was unable to nurse my little ones, but I LOVED LOVED LOVED my Boppy anyway! It was awesome for feeding, and then for tummy time, and then for learning to sit up. What did women do before Boppy?
Virginia
http://ladyvdzine.com
Ah yes, the boppy. That was my sister’s most essential purchase when she got pregnant. When I got preggers, I bought a local imitation that frankly was too floppy and saggy to provide the right kind of support. Excited to hear Boppy’s coming to UK, even though I’m past the point of needing one…at least for the immediate future!
Babes about Town´s last blog ..Otilly French Style- Win a Dress!
Kudos to you for sticking with breast feeding. It really is worth it. I breast fed all five of my sons (including a set of twins) and they are some of the sweetest memories I had of those first years. Unfortunately, this was pre-boppy days. We just used towels or blankets or pillows… anything to lighten the load. I’ve seen newer moms use the boppy and I would have killed for one! Good luck!
Stopping by from SITS.
citymouse´s last blog ..lil john huff- knucklebuster
Uju, cheap knock offs just wouldn’t be the same! Especially flimsy ones. But yes Boppy is launching in the UK, how cool is that?!
Citymouse – thank you! Kudos to you for breastfeeding all five…including twins?!?! Respect! Yeah, I’m just a little cheesed I couldn’t have had a Boppy with my other three….life would have been bliss!
LOVE the boppy!! Wasn’t invented until lthe younger two of my kids but i wish i’d had it for the older two!!
xoxo
marymac´s last blog ..Toy Story 3 Has a Friend in Me