A Mom's Favorite Pick: The Boppy Pillow

Ah, yes. The Boppy Pillow. As some of us mothers and even fathers out there already know, the Boppy Pillow is a great product. I'm a second time mother and I'm getting well more than my money's worth out of my Boppy. I'm even considering buying a new one at the same time considering a third child.

Before reviewing the product in more detail, I should probably talk about exactly what a Boppy Pillow is. It is a u-shaped pillow most widely known as a breastfeeding pillow. Your baby can snuggle closer while she nurses, making it more comfortable for her and for the mother. Of course, dads can use it as well. This pillow can help dads get more involved in feeding his baby. Place the pillow on dad, place baby on pillow and hand over a bottle for feeding.

This pillow is ideal for the breastfeeding mother. It makes nursing much more comfortable while putting your baby in the correct position for latching. It really helps relieve tension in the neck and back during feeding and takes some of the stress away from first-time nursing mothers. Just slip it around your waist and your baby is supported while it puts you into a more comfortable position for feeding.

Even though the Boppy Pillow is a perfect tool for breastfeeding mothers, this pillow is not strictly for the nursing mother. Mothers who bottle feed can also benefit greatly from this pillow. Not only can the pillow be used during feeding time, it can also be used during many developmental stages of your little one. Is your baby getting the recommended thirty minutes of tummy time? Doctors recommend at least this amount a day for babies to develop the needed muscles that being on their bellies will allow. If you are like me, you know that it's not that easy. Most babies hate being on their tummies and will scream until someone picks them up or flips them over. The floor is just too hard for them, and often too flat for them to stay comfortable. That's where the Boppy pillow comes in in. For tummy time, flip your baby on his tummy on the middle part of the pillow on top of blankets or carpet on your floor. This will help encourage your little one to lift his head up and move his limps about, developing his muscles and strengthen coordination.

A common problem that I see among new babies is flat head syndrome. This unsightly and very unhealthy problem is sometimes caused by a baby lying on their backs too long. Prop those babies up on that Boppy Pillow!

When your baby is learning how to sit on her own, she often topples over on her side or back onto her head. Ouch! The Boppy Pillow can also help in this developmental stage. Wrap the pillow around baby when she is attempting to sit (stay close to her side of course) and during her wobbly sitting time, in case that wobble turns into a topple, baby will be protected from falling too hard and hitting her head.

Baby also benefits from the pillow by being propped up on it after feeding. This reduces acid reflux (spit up) and could help reduce colic by reducing the amount of gas baby keeps in his belly. A cue to look for if your baby has reflux is to see whether or not he is cranky directly after feeding and spitting up frequently. Propping a baby up after eating will help eliminate these problems and keep your baby smiling.

Haven't had your baby yet? This pillow is not only essential for when your bundle of joy has arrived, but also as what I like to call a "belly pillow." Lay on the pillow sideways when your belly is getting large due to the one growing inside and it will help relieve pain and strain on your tired back muscles. Doctors also recommend not lying on your back when you are pregnant and this pillow will definitely help you find a comfortable position to sleep in.

Even though at first glance, the pillow might appear to be a little high-priced, it is well worth the money. I've had mine for three years and will continue to use it for years to come. This product in the number one, can't live without product for me and I highly recommend it.

Boppy also has some other really great products for you to check out. Go to: www.boppy.com and happy mothering!