GUIDE
Boppy Original Nursing Pillow vs. My Brest Friend
Both are solid nursing pillows but serve slightly different needs. My Brest Friend provides firmer, more structured support that keeps baby locked in position. The Boppy is softer, more versatile, and doubles as a lounger and tummy time prop. Your pick depends on whether you need hands-free stability or multi-use flexibility.
The Boppy Original and My Brest Friend are the two best-selling nursing pillows in the US. They look similar at first glance, but the design philosophy is fundamentally different — one wraps and locks around your waist, the other sits loosely on your lap. That distinction drives every other difference in support, comfort, and usability.
Free trial • Log nursing sessions, bottles, and pumping
Same Problem, Different Solutions
The Boppy Original and My Brest Friend both exist to solve the same problem: holding your baby at breast height without destroying your back and arms. But they take fundamentally different design approaches.
The Boppy is a soft, C-shaped pillow that sits on your lap. It does not attach to your body. Think of it as a very well-shaped cushion.
My Brest Friend is a firm, flat platform that wraps around your torso and buckles behind your back. It locks in place and does not move when you reach for your water or adjust the TV remote.
That core difference — loose vs. locked — is what drives every other distinction between these two pillows. Neither approach is wrong. But one will almost certainly feel better to you than the other.
| Feature | Boppy Original | My Brest Friend | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | The Boppy Company (Artsana Group) | Zenoff Products | Boppy is a larger brand with wider retail distribution. My Brest Friend is a specialist breastfeeding company. |
| Design | C-shaped pillow that sits on the lap | Wraparound pillow that buckles behind the back | The biggest difference. My Brest Friend locks in place; the Boppy can shift if you move. |
| Surface firmness | Soft, plush cushion | Firm, flat nursing surface | My Brest Friend keeps baby at a consistent height. The Boppy's softness means baby can sink in over time. |
| Back support | None — pillow sits on lap only | Built-in lumbar support pad | My Brest Friend wins here. The back cushion reduces strain during longer feeding sessions. |
| Hands-free nursing | Difficult — pillow can slide on lap | Easier — buckle keeps pillow secured to body | My Brest Friend's wraparound design makes hands-free or one-handed nursing more realistic. |
| Versatility | Tummy time, sitting support, lounging | Primarily nursing only | Boppy wins on multi-use. It stays useful well beyond the breastfeeding months. |
| Portability | Lighter (~2.5 lbs), no buckle, easy to grab and go | Heavier (~3.5 lbs), buckle adds bulk | Boppy is easier to toss in the car or carry between rooms. |
| Built-in storage | No pockets | Small pocket for burp cloth, phone, or snack | A minor win for My Brest Friend. The pocket is genuinely handy during feeds. |
| Cover removal | Slipcover slides off | Full-zip removable cover | Both are easy to remove and machine wash. My Brest Friend's zip is slightly quicker. |
| Size range | One size fits most; no strap adjustment | Adjustable buckle; extension strap available | My Brest Friend offers more adjustability but the wraparound still does not fit all body types comfortably. |
| Best nursing position | Cradle hold, cross-cradle | Cradle, cross-cradle, football hold | My Brest Friend's flat surface and stability make the football hold easier, which is helpful post-C-section. |
The Firmness Question
This is where most parents form a strong opinion.
My Brest Friend has a firm, flat surface. Your baby lies on top of it at a consistent height and stays there. The pillow does not compress under the baby's weight, so the latch angle remains steady throughout the feeding. Lactation consultants frequently recommend it for this reason — especially for parents still learning to breastfeed.
The Boppy is softer and more cushioned. It feels more comfortable to hold, but babies — especially small newborns — can sink into the pillow over time. This means you may need to readjust mid-feed to maintain the right latch height.
If your baby is under 8 pounds and you are working on establishing a good latch, the firm surface of My Brest Friend is genuinely helpful. Once breastfeeding is well established and your baby has better head control, the Boppy's softness becomes less of an issue and more of a comfort feature.
Stability and Hands-Free Feeding
My Brest Friend buckles around your waist. This means the pillow stays in place when you move. You can lean forward to grab your phone, reach for a glass of water, or adjust a burp cloth without the pillow sliding off your lap.
The Boppy sits on your lap with no attachment. If you lean forward, it can shift. If you stand up, it falls. This means you typically need one hand on the baby or pillow at all times.
For parents who nurse frequently and want to multitask during feeds, My Brest Friend's locked design is a real advantage. For parents who want to quickly toss the pillow on the couch and use it casually, the Boppy's simplicity wins.
tinylog tracks feedings so you can spot patterns.
Log nursing sessions, bottles, and pumping. Track duration, side, and latch quality. Bring the data to your lactation consultant or pediatrician.
Versatility: Where the Boppy Pulls Ahead
The Boppy is not just a nursing pillow. Parents use it for:
- Tummy time — the curved shape gives babies a gentle incline to practice lifting their head
- Sitting support — prop a 4–6 month old baby in the center for supported sitting practice
- Lounging — a comfortable cushion for baby to rest on during supervised awake time
My Brest Friend is a nursing pillow and that is basically it. The wraparound design and buckle make it awkward for other uses.
If you are buying one pillow and want maximum utility over the first year, the Boppy gives you more mileage. If you want a dedicated breastfeeding tool that does that one job exceptionally well, My Brest Friend is the specialist.
| Product | Typical Price | Cost Per Diaper | Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boppy Original Nursing Pillow | $30–$40 | — | One-time purchase |
| Boppy Original + Extra Cover | $42–$55 | — | One-time purchase |
| My Brest Friend Original | $35–$45 | — | One-time purchase |
| My Brest Friend + Extra Cover | $48–$60 | — | One-time purchase |
Price: Nearly Identical
Both pillows cost between $30 and $45 depending on the pattern and retailer. The price difference is negligible — usually less than $5.
Where you might spend more:
- Extra covers. You will want at least one spare. Breast milk, spit-up, and drool will find the cover within the first week. Covers run $12–$18 for both brands.
- My Brest Friend extension strap. If the standard buckle does not fit, the extension strap is ~$8.
- Boppy accessories. Boppy sells a variety of cover patterns and a waterproof liner.
Price should not be your deciding factor here. Pick the design that works for your body and feeding style.
Choose the Boppy Original If
- You want a pillow that does more than just nursing — tummy time, propping, lounging
- You prefer a softer, more cushioned feel
- Portability matters — you move between rooms or travel often
- You are mostly bottle feeding and want flexible positioning
- You have a smaller frame and the pillow sits at the right height on your lap
- You want the most popular option with the widest selection of covers
Choose My Brest Friend If
- You want the most stable, hands-free breastfeeding position possible
- You are recovering from a C-section and need baby elevated off your abdomen
- You are a first-time breastfeeding parent still working on latch
- Longer nursing sessions are common and you need back support
- You want a firm, flat surface that keeps baby at a consistent height
- You nurse in the football hold frequently
Where to Buy
The Boppy Original Nursing Pillow (~$35) is the most popular nursing pillow in America and the one you will find in nearly every baby registry. It is softer, lighter, and more versatile — great as a nursing aid, tummy time prop, and sitting support. Grab an extra cover while you are at it.
If you want maximum breastfeeding support and hands-free stability, the My Brest Friend Nursing Pillow (~$40) is the better dedicated nursing tool. The firm flat surface, wraparound buckle, and built-in back support make it a favorite of lactation consultants. It is especially worth considering if you had a C-section or are working on establishing latch.
If you can swing it, buying both is not unreasonable — use My Brest Friend for nursing in the early weeks, then transition to the Boppy for its versatility as your baby grows.
tinylog earns a small commission on purchases made through these links, at no cost to you.
The Bottom Line
These two pillows solve the same problem in different ways:
My Brest Friend is the better pure nursing pillow. Firmer surface, locked-in positioning, back support, and a design that lactation consultants prefer. It shines in the early weeks when getting a good latch matters most.
The Boppy Original is the better all-around baby pillow. Softer, lighter, more portable, and useful for tummy time and sitting support long after breastfeeding ends.
For most parents, either will work well. If you are a first-time breastfeeding parent and feeling unsure about latch, start with My Brest Friend. If you want a versatile pillow that grows with your baby, the Boppy is hard to beat.
If you are tracking feedings — which is especially helpful in the early weeks to make sure baby is eating enough — tinylog makes it simple to log nursing sessions, note which side you used, and share the data with your pediatrician or lactation consultant.
Related Guides
- Baby Feeding Chart — How much your baby should eat by age
- Breastfeeding Positions — Finding the hold that works for you and baby
- Pumping Schedule — When and how often to pump
- Baby Sleep Schedule — Age-by-age sleep expectations
Sources
- Boppy.com. "Boppy Original Nursing Pillow — Product Information." 2026.
- MyBrestFriend.com. "My Brest Friend Original Nursing Pillow — Product Information." 2026.
- Wirecutter (NYT). "The Best Nursing Pillows." nytimes.com/wirecutter, 2025.
- Babylist. "Boppy vs. My Brest Friend: Which Nursing Pillow Is Best?" babylist.com, 2025.
- WhatToExpect.com. "Best Nursing Pillows of 2026." whattoexpect.com.
- La Leche League International. "Positioning and Latching." llli.org.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. "Breastfeeding Benefits." healthychildren.org.
This guide is for informational purposes only. Nursing pillow choice is a personal preference based on your body type, feeding style, and baby's needs. If you are experiencing breastfeeding difficulties, consult a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC).