Best Nursing Pillow Reviews
I waited till I was in my last month of pregnancy to shop for a nursing pillow because a) well… let's be honest, I'm an incredibly disorganized person, and b) because I was stopped short by the sheer variety that's out there. I browsed Amazon reviews and Top 10 lists till my eyes burned. (In retrospect- that was probably mainly from tears of frustration brought on by hormones. Yikes.)
Here is a list of the Best Nursing Pillow
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The lactation consultant at my hospital recommended My Brest Friend Deluxe, and in my postpartum haze I took her advice and had my husband buy it. I haven't looked back since.
1. My Brest Friend Deluxe
Rating: 4.4 / 5.0
What is My Brest Friend Deluxe?
My Brest Friend Deluxe is a nursing pillow with several unique features that make it stand out from its competition. The features that particularly stood out to me when I first started using it were:
- A C-shape that is similar to the Boppy, only with a much wider surface area for baby to lie on.
- Straps that wrap around the upper torso, with a nifty and easy to use buckle system.
- Sturdy foam insert.
- Super soft slip-on cover.
- A tight, firm fit against the body. No worrying about the baby falling in the gap.
- Excellent back support that helps with posture during feeding.
- A side pocket for feeding accessories.
This nursing pillow exactly fit my needs, which were: a flat surface wide enough for baby to stretch out, with enough space left over for me to rest my elbows and arms. As far as a hands-free option, it's also perfect: the wrap-around strap fits comfortably, and keeps the pillow steady enough that I don't have to worry about freeing a hand up to wash the dishes, or send a text.
That's right- I can even stand and nurse easily with this pillow, it's that sturdy!
One thing I have in common with a lot of new mothers is a significant amount of back pain left over from my pregnancy. I have a weak back to begin with, and carrying all that extra weight around for 9 months definitely didn’t help any. One of the greatest things about the design of this product is the lumbar support it offers. The extra padding on the back of the strap fits comfortably against my lower back, and lessens the stress significantly.
The side pocket is really great, too. I use it to keep my phone in, a bottle of water, ointment, and even wet-wipes when I think I’ll need it. It is large enough to keep a number of accessories inside, and really comes in handy when you least expect it.
The slip cover is soft and easy to clean, but one thing you have to be careful about is the temperature of the water you use when you wash it! Because it’s made from synthetic material, hot water is definitely a no-no. Your beautiful slip cover will shrink to a doll-size, useless piece of material in just one wash. There is also the added possibility of the color running if the temperature of the water is too high.
The same goes for drying: when using a dryer, make sure that the temperature is set to low. Without a dryer, the material takes quite a while to dry, which you should definitely keep in mind when thinking about using this product.
One thing that stood out to me about the slip-on cover that came with the pillow is that it’s remarkably stain resistant. My baby boy sure does seem to love his blowouts, which has caused me to jump up immediately after he’s done feeding to quickly toss the cover in the wash. Thankfully, no poo stains left after washing.
The product manufacturers claim that this product is the #1 nursing pillow recommended by professional Lactation Consultants. A quick scroll through the reviews on amazon.com and toyrus.com show that many of the reviewers were indeed introduced to this pillow by the Lactation Consultant at their hospital or at their breastfeeding lessons. The Boppy pillow is another favorite with many new mothers, but the fact that the My Brest Friend Deluxe pillow comes backed by professional support speaks volumes as to how great it is.
My Brest Friend Deluxe Video Review
Dimensions and Materials Used
Size: 21.5 x 14.5 x 5.5
Weight: 1.9 lb
My Brest Friend Deluxe is definitely bulkier than its other competitors: its width is almost double that of the Boppy Original, which clocks in at a width of 8 inches.
This nursing pillow comes with a slipcover that is 100% Polyester; the insert itself is 100% Polyurethane Foam. The material is Non-Flammable, Phthalate Free, Latex Free, Lead Free, and BPA Free
There are many varieties of slip-on covers available for separate purchase at Amazon.com, as well, with all kinds of adorable prints and colors.
Customer Reviews
To date, there are 653 reviews on Amazon.com, and 407 reviews on Babies-R-Us section of the toysrus.com. The reviews are almost overwhelmingly positive, with the average rating being 4.5 and 4.6 out of 5 stars, respectively.
A number of reviews drew comparisons to the also-popular Boppy; over a dozen reviewers claim to have switched over from the Boppy pillow. The overall consensus seems to be that, while the Boppy pillow is smaller and easier to store, the comfort and sturdiness of My Brest Friend Deluxe makes up for its bulkiness.
This pillow also came in at #3 on babygearlab.com's Top Ranked Nursing Pillows list, with a score of 78 out of 100.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- The wrap-around design came to life with the My Brest Friend Original, and it has been modified to lend the best lower-back support to breast-feeding mothers. The extra padding helps immensely with posture, and eases the pressure of sitting still in one position for a long time, not to mention the design snugly secures the pillow to the upper torso. No gap = no baby falling down while nursing!
- There are nifty little bumps on the ends of the pillow that help to support the baby's head. (Took me a while to figure this one out, but once I did, it changed everything!!)
- Provides arm and elbow rests, which means no cramping arm muscles or shoulder aches!
- The firm, flat surface of the pillow will help your baby stay in position without you constantly having to shift around. This comes in handy when both of your hands are otherwise occupied.
Cons:
- The main thing that stands out in the negative customer reviews is the size of this product. It is slightly bulkier and heavier than your average nursing pillow.
- The strap-and-buckle system is great once you get used to it, but it can be tough at first! It can be frustrating to fumble with a strap when all of your attention is taken up with your screaming baby. Some mothers prefer a pillow sans strap simply for the ease with which they can just whip out their boob and start nursing, which is a complaint that makes up a majority of the negative reviews on the product websites.
- There is a Velcro strap on the side that tends to snag on blankets and other material. Make sure that the Velcro is covered properly before using this pillow!
Of course, when it comes to choosing a nursing pillow, it’s never one-size-fits-all. Here are a few others to consider:
2. The Boppy Two-Sized Nursing Pillow
Rating: 4.1 / 5.0
Ahh, the often gushed-about Boppy! Out of curiosity, I tried out this deluxe version as well. This, unlike Boppy Original, comes with a strap as well, although it isn’t as well-padded as the My Brest Friend Deluxe pillow. It has a lot of support, and a majority of customer reviews agree on the fact that it is very easy to clean! Not the mention the fact that it’s small and mobile, with dimensions clocking in at 23" L x 9.5" W x 7.5" H.
The Boppy Two-Sized is significantly more alike to My Brest Friend Deluxe, as opposed to the Boppy Original, which is strap-less and doesn’t have a foam insert. It is slightly more expensive, but definitely worth it if you’re looking for a smaller, easier-to-clean alternative to My Brest Friend Deluxe.
3. Blessed Nest Organic Nesting
Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Here is a 100% organic, slightly costlier alternative. The Blessed Nest Organic Nesting pillow is made in America, and uses entirely natural, high quality materials. It’s more of a bean-bag approach to the nursing pillow, with a buckwheat hull filling!
When fully extended, the measurements for this pillow come out to 25.5" L x 11.5" W x 4" H. What does that mean, you ask? Well, this pillow can also be made much smaller by readjusting hulls and folding the fabric inward. Voila! Customizable to your every need!
The upside to this pillow is, of course, the fact that it uses exactly zero synthetic materials. The hull filling helps the pillow mold to the body of your baby, keeping them snug and preventing slippage. The slipcover can be machine-washed and dried, and the pillow itself can be spot-cleaned with soapy water or vinegar and then dried on medium temperature in a dryer.
The downside? Boy oh boy, this pillow isn’t cheap. I guess that’s the price you have to pay for the highest quality materials available. If you’re okay with splurging a little bit, then this pillow comes highly recommended by many websites. This product took the coveted top spot in babygearlab.com’s Top Rated Nursing Pillows List.
4. Boppy Original Nursing Pillow
Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
The fact that this nursing pillow has become a household name in America says it all: this has proven to be the go-to lightweight, portable nursing pillow for mothers all across the country. As far as basic, no-frills pillows go, this seems to be a clear winner. For mothers who don’t see the need for straps or buckles, this is a must-have. The Boppy Original can be tossed in for a machine wash as-is, which puts it at the very top of the Easiest Pillows to Clean list with its own crown to boot. This is a nice feature, as you can spend more time using the thing than scrubbing it, a problem for a lot of nursing pillows.
Careful with this one, though: reviewers on Amazon have noted its tendency to slip away from your body while you nurse your baby due to its round shape, creating a gap that the baby can fall into very easily. This isn’t a pillow you can go hands-free with. That said, there is something to be said for how small and mobile it is. Going on a car-ride? Toss your Boppy Original into a diaper bag, and you’re good to go! This is something that cannot be said for the other options, which range from slightly bulky (Blessed Nest) to almost cumbersome (My Brest Friend Deluxe).
Boppy Original Nursing Pillow Video Review
5. The Luna Lullaby Bosom Baby Pillow
Rating: 4.1 / 5.0
This pillow is a cold-weather alternative if you’re looking for pillow with a cozy, snuggly cover. It has a unique L-shape to it, with an extra soft shell for maximum warmth and comfort for your baby. The shape of this pillow lends good arm support, and reviewers agree that it is plush and easy to use. It is also an option to consider if you are a mother to twins.
It is a very sturdy pillow, and can withstand much more abuse. Reviews for this pillow promise that it will last for much longer than a pillow like the Blessed Nest, which tends to flatten with extended use due to the hull interior. This pillow is advantageous for those career mothers, or maybe mothers that are on a budget. The durability of this nursing pillow makes it something that you can likely use for every child, then maybe even pass on to your children when it is their time.
Luna Lullaby Bosom Baby Pillow Video Review
Conclusion
The clear winner for me was My Brest Friend Deluxe, but let’s face it: everyone’s different. Some may prefer nursing pillows with no straps, and some prefer 100% organic. That is why you should go out yourself and make your own assessment.
In this girl’s opinion however, My Brest Friend Deluxe may be larger than average and made from synthetic materials, but it is sturdy, easy to clean (especially if you invest in a waterproof cover!), and has been proven to be perfectly safe for your baby. Plus – at $38, it’s definitely a bargain to consider.