Boppy vs My Brest Friend is the nursing pillow question, and the two pillows are designed for different jobs. The Boppy is a soft C-shaped pillow that does many things adequately. My Brest Friend is a firm, flat platform that straps on and does one thing very well: hold a newborn at breast height for a good latch. Here is how they compare and which one belongs on the registry.
Quick Verdict
For the first weeks of breastfeeding, especially after a cesarean or with a baby who struggles to latch, My Brest Friend is the better nursing pillow. It is firmer, flatter, and stays put. The Boppy is the better all-round pillow: it works for bottle feeding, propping, and supervised tummy time, and it stays useful long after nursing ends. Many lactation consultants suggest My Brest Friend for nursing and a Boppy for everything else.
Boppy vs My Brest Friend at a Glance
| Boppy Nursing Pillow | My Brest Friend Deluxe | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | About $45 | About $55 |
| Shape | Soft C shape, rests on lap | Firm flat platform, wraps around and clips at the back |
| Fit | Loose, slides as baby moves | Adjustable strap holds it in place |
| Back support | None | Built-in lumbar cushion |
| Extras | Removable slipcover, many prints | Pocket for phone and water, removable cover |
| Other uses | Propping, supervised tummy time, sitting support | Nursing and bottle feeding only |
| Amazon rating | 4.2 stars | 4.6 stars, 7,700+ ratings |
Breastfeeding a Newborn
My Brest Friend's flat, firm surface is the point. A newborn lies level at breast height without rolling toward the parent, which keeps the latch deep and the parent's shoulders relaxed. The strap holds the pillow steady while shifting sides or standing up, and the lumbar cushion supports the lower back through long cluster feeds. After a cesarean, the firm platform also keeps the baby's weight off the incision.
The Boppy is softer and curved, so a small newborn tends to sink and roll inward, and parents often hunch to compensate. It works, particularly for larger babies and for parents with shorter torsos, but it takes more adjusting and a rolled blanket or two. As the baby grows, the Boppy's softness matters less.
Bottle Feeding
Both work. The Boppy's curve cradles a baby for bottle feeding comfortably, and its softness is an advantage here because position is less critical. My Brest Friend holds a baby in a flat position that some bottle-fed babies find too level; it is fine for a feed but not its strength.
Everything Else
The Boppy earns its place for the months after feeding. It props a baby for supervised play, supports a baby learning to sit, and is a soft surface for supervised tummy time. Boppy is explicit that it is not for sleep. My Brest Friend has no second life; once nursing ends, it goes in the closet.
Comfort and Portability
The Boppy is lighter, smaller, and easy to carry room to room. My Brest Friend is bulkier, and the clip can be awkward to fasten with a baby in one arm, though with practice it takes a few seconds. Both have removable, washable covers, and Boppy's wide range of slipcovers is a selling point for people who care how it looks.
Who Should Buy My Brest Friend
Breastfeeding parents, especially in the newborn months, after a cesarean, or with latch problems. It is the pillow lactation consultants reach for.
Check My Brest Friend Price on Amazon
Who Should Buy the Boppy
Bottle-feeding families, parents who want one pillow that stays useful for propping and play, and anyone who found a firm pillow uncomfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a baby sleep on a Boppy or My Brest Friend?
No. Neither is designed or safe for sleep. Both manufacturers warn against it, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission has linked infant deaths to sleeping on nursing pillows. Move a sleeping baby to a flat, firm, empty sleep surface.
Do you need a nursing pillow at all?
Not strictly. Many parents nurse with a regular pillow or none at all. A nursing pillow helps most in the early weeks, during long feeds, and for anyone with back, shoulder, or incision pain.
Is My Brest Friend good for twins?
The standard pillow fits one baby. My Brest Friend sells a larger Twins Plus version with a wider platform designed for tandem feeding.
