REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Easy to use
Versatile
REASONS TO AVOID
Shifts
Does not fit moms of all sizes
Boppy Bare Naked Review
Basic pillow that gets the job done and has earned its popularity
Boppy Bare Naked
Credit: Boppy
By Juliet Spurrier, MD ⋅ Mom-in-Chief ⋅ July 14, 2021
Contributions From: Lindsay Selig
RELATED: The Best Nursing Pillows
Our Verdict
Boppy has been making its standard nursing pillow for over twenty-five years. With a classic C-shape design, it provides nursing support, doesn't require flipping for side changes, and offers arm support for nursing mothers. While the classic shape is great for many moms and dads, it doesn't work for everyone and won't fit all body types. The Bare Naked Boppy is also only the pillow, so you'll need to purchase the cover separately, driving up the price. While this purchase means you can coordinate the cover with your nursery or personal style, and choose fabric types for different climates, it does mean an added cost you should consider if you are on a budget. However, there are many reasons the Boppy has been the old standby with parents for years. It offers long-lasting construction, great support for mom and baby, and a straightforward design that makes nursing a breeze.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Boppy was born in 1989 by a mom who was challenged by her child's daycare to create a pillow to support babies when not being held. Since then, it has become a tried and true favorite with moms. It has earned multiple awards over the years, including the Best Value Award here at BabyGearLab. Boppy has expanded their line to include items such as nursing covers and pregnancy pillows.
Taking the Boppy with you, wherever you may nurse, is easy thanks to its portable size and easy to clean pillow and case.
Credit: Megan Benedik
The classic “C” shape pillow is easy to use and versatile.
Credit: Micah James
Nursing Comfort
The Boppy Pillow is plush and comfortable for both mom and baby. The shape provides adequate arm support for mom during nursing using any of the three most popular holds. Unfortunately, we find that the round shape of the pillow makes it easier for the baby to slip and roll towards mom while feeding, especially for smaller women. This rolling issue held true with the youngest and oldest babies in our tests, especially when mom sat slightly back, such as while feeding in bed. It is also somewhat on the thin side, which can result in little ones rolling toward mom's body and the incision site of cesarean deliveries.
Boppy offers multiple patterns and colors for the slipcovers.
Credit: Micah James
Ease of Use
The structural quality of the Boppy makes it very easy to use, even with one hand or while your baby is sleeping. There are no tricky buckles or clasps to deal with, making it a breeze to put on or take off. Plus, it does not need flipping when you change breasts, something that is necessary for some of the competition. It can potentially shift while nursing, depending on mom's shape and size, and as a result, needs readjusting to keep everyone comfortable. The Boppy is also great for uses beyond feeding time, and the pillow works well as a tummy time prop or support for little ones as they learn to sit or hold a bottle.
Unfortunately, the shape of the Bare Naked does not fit people of all shapes and sizes. The shape only expands to a certain extent, making it uncomfortable or impossible for some mothers to use.
Both the cover and pillow of the Original Boppy are machine washable and can go into the dryer.
Credit: Megan Benedik
Materials
Boppy has never used flame-retardant chemicals in any of its products. The covers are playful and soft, liquid repellent, and come in organic options. The materials in this pillow help it maintain its shape, but the 80% polyester cover and 10% polyester batting are less desirable than natural options for many families.
After washing, putting the Boppy back together again takes no time at all, in fact less than two minutes.
Credit: Megan Benedik
Ease of Cleaning
One of the things we love most about the Boppy Bare Naked is how easy it is to clean. Both the cover (sold separately) and pillow are machine washable and can go in the dryer, which is time-saving and means you won't feel guilty about towing this pillow around wherever you may nurse. Also, the pillow retained its shape after many washes and took a mere 0:36 seconds to put back together. Small victories are BIG victories for new moms, so the time savings and lack of pillow stuffing struggle cannot be over-appreciated!
Side-by-Side Comparison
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