Why you should trust this review
I am Marcus Kim, a registered nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). I work directly with postpartum families on latch, positioning, and milk transfer, which means nursing pillows are part of my clinical toolkit, not just a household purchase. I bought a retail unit of the My Brest Friend Original Nursing Pillow and used it over about four months with clients in home visits and with my own family. No payment was accepted from the brand; editorial control remained entirely with Kiddopicks.
Why surface firmness matters for latch
One of the most common latch problems I see is baby height drift. A soft, squishy pillow compresses under a baby’s weight, so by halfway through a feed the baby has sunk a centimeter or two and the parent is curling forward to compensate. That forward curve causes neck and shoulder pain in the parent and often pulls the nipple out of a good latch angle. The My Brest Friend solves this with a firm, flat top surface. Baby height stays consistent from the first minute of a feed to the last, which takes real physical strain off the parent and keeps the baby in a better latch position throughout. For parents in the early weeks when latch is still being established, that consistency matters.
Wraparound fit and lumbar support
The wraparound design with a buckle strap is the other feature that sets this pillow apart. A standard C-shaped pillow can slide off the lap, especially if a parent shifts position or if a baby moves. The My Brest Friend buckles at the waist and stays put. That gives a parent both hands free for latch support, bottle positioning, or simply holding the baby without also gripping the pillow. The integrated lumbar roll along the back of the pillow provides lower-back support that parents with longer or more frequent feeding sessions notice and appreciate. Several clients told me their back pain during feeds decreased noticeably after switching to this pillow from a softer alternative.
Where it gives ground
Two honest drawbacks worth knowing before you buy. First, the firm surface and chunky wraparound shape make this a bulkier item than a Boppy. It does not fold flat or pack into a bag easily, so it is largely a stay-at-home pillow. If you want something lightweight to throw in a hospital bag or travel tote, a softer C-shaped pillow is a better fit. Second, the buckle waist strap is sized and positioned for average adult torsos. Parents who have had a caesarean section may find the buckle uncomfortable across the lower abdomen in the early weeks of healing. Body size at the extremes (very petite or very large frames) may also find the fit less comfortable. Try it in the store or check the return policy before committing.
Safe sleep warning: this pillow is not a sleep surface
This section is not optional reading. Nursing pillows including the My Brest Friend are positioning aids for supervised feeding only. They are NOT safe sleep surfaces. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) both warn that soft, inclined, or padded surfaces around a sleeping infant increase the risk of suffocation and sleep-related infant death. The AAP recommends that babies always sleep on a firm, flat surface in a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or play yard, on their back, with nothing else in the sleep space. Once your baby finishes feeding or supervised tummy time, move them immediately to their designated sleep surface. Never leave a baby unattended on a nursing pillow, and never let a baby fall asleep on one and stay there. Sources: healthychildren.org, cdc.gov, cpsc.gov.
Who it is for
If you are working on latch in the early weeks, feeding twins or planning to try tandem positioning, or having back or shoulder pain during feeds, the My Brest Friend Original is the pillow I would hand you first. The firm surface and buckle hold solve the two most common mechanical problems I see in feeding sessions. If your priority is something lighter and easier to pack, or a pillow that doubles as a baby lounger during supervised awake time, a softer C-shaped option suits you better. Check current pricing and confirm product details before you buy.