Boppy Pillow – Baby Registry Hidden Gem

Boppy Pillow– $35.00

When infants are born, one of the first skills they begin to develop during the first few months of life is called midline development, which is the ability to bring their hands to their mouth, or their hands together at the center of their body to play with their fingers.

Many people tend to use a boppy pillow for additional support to the baby primarily during breastfeeding. Even if you don’t plan on breastfeeding, this pillow is a must-have for a baby registry item or shower gift, as there are so many great developmental uses for this pillow.

You should always supervise your infant during these activities for safety purposes.

1. Lay the baby on their back in the middle of the boppy pillow. This provides support behind their shoulders, and facilitates bringing their hands together for midline development as described above. While the baby is in this position, it is great to encourage eye contact and visual focusing. While you smile and talk to your baby, encourage them to smile and coo back. Hold toys in your hand and encourage them to watch you move the toy from left to right and up and down to promote visual tracking.

2. Place the boppy pillow on the floor under an activity arch toy such as the Infantino Merry Monkey Gym. Position the baby on their back in the middle of the pillow. If the baby is lying completely flat on the ground, under the activity arch, gravity is a stronger force, which makes it more challenging to accurately reach up and grasp toys dangling over head when they are young. If you place them in the boppy under the arch, because they are well supported the infant may be more spontaneously able to activate the toys dangling above them, which leads to continued cause/effect play and the emerging ability to reach out and grasp toys in front of them.

3. Boppy pillows are fantastic for a more comfortable way to begin tummy time play. With supervision, place the baby on their stomach over the boppy, encourage them to lift their head. You can also place them in this position in front of the activity arch or a toy such as the Sassy Me In The Mirror. This may assist with motivation to lift their head by looking at the brightly colored toys dangling in front of them or at their reflection in the mirror.

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