Boppy Bare Naked Pillow

After a carseat and a bed, I consider my boppy the 3rd most essential baby item I own. I'm using one as I type this -- how's that for a testimonial?

After 2 months of breastfeeding my firstborn, I received a boppy as a gift. Suddenly my back no longer ached because I had help getting the baby to an ergonomic position. Suddenly I had a hand free to read a book while nursing. The dream of looking lovingly into your baby's eyes as you bond during breastfeeding is all well and good, but the novelty can wear off after the first few weeks as the hours you spend doing nothing but nurse stack up.

It was with my second child that I had the idea of bringing the boppy to the computer chair. Mastering the skill of nak (nursing at the keyboard) was life-changing for me. Instead of feeling trapped in the house with my high-needs and constantly hungry son, I could surf the web, send and receive e-mails, and connect with other moms on forums and message boards. I could also pay bills online and research a variety of topics. Dare I even mention the ability to shop for baby clothes and gear without having to stop for feeding time? A mom needs to be able to multitask, and the boppy opened up a whole new world of opportunity.

After much use my first boppy was looking worn and lumpy, so for baby #3 I got a new Bare Naked Boppy. The removeable covers are brilliant! There is a print and fabric for every personality. And you have to love the ability to wash the cover after a spit-up accident, or worse yet a diaper blow-out.

I have primarily used the boppy for it's main use as a nursing pillow. None of my children cared for using it for tummy time. But it does function well as an aide to sitting. You can prop the baby up at different angles depending on their neck and back strength. If they do slide sideways they will be against something soft and not hurt themselves.

After the newer Star Wars releases, we also found the boppy had entertainment value if you placed it around your head and paraded through the house saying, "I am Senator Amidala." The kids loved this, though it is not listed as a use by the manufacturer.

If you are planning on breast-feeding, definitely give the boppy a try. If you are going to formula-feed, you could still get use out of it, although I would no longer consider it essential.