Monday, December 13, 2010

BabyK'tan Review

A couple of months ago I was trying to find a carrier for Mimi because she wanted to be close to me at all times. She must have known she was finally home and didn't want to be too far from me. I started looking at baby carriers that I was familiar with, but quickly found that Mimi wouldn't fit into them for another 2 months. I came across the BabyK'tan. I was instantly in love with it because, not only can Mimi fit in it, it's also twin friendly!!

As their website puts it: The Baby K'tan® Baby Carrier (patent pending) is a 100% natural cotton, ergonomically designed & stylish soft hybrid baby carrier. Offered in hip neutral colors, the Baby K'tan is a cross between a sling and a structured front baby carrier, offering the positions and benefits of both! Not complicated or restrictive, the Baby K’tan® Baby Carrier, offers unparalleled comfort, safety, and convenience. The stylish and soft nature of the Baby K’tan® Baby Carrier will last as your baby grows (up to 35 pounds – one of the most durable of its kind!) providing comfort alongside simple and convenient maintenance – all in an exclusive design that can be worn in more than 7 unique positions.Using the Baby K’tan infant carrier your baby can be carried upright (facing in or out), and as they get older, they can be carried on your hip.

I love this carrier for several reasons. It can be safely used for babies as small as 5lbs, which is usually the weight of most babies when discharged from the NICU (Mimi was 4lbs 11oz). It is also so easy to use. The instructional videos make learning how to use the BabyK'tan much easier. The fabric is very soft and it is very comfortable for me and the girls. Grocery shopping was so much easier for me than putting the car seat on the shopping cart. I'm too short to see over the car seat and I have a hard time navigating around the store. When I carry Mimi while shopping onlookers keep their distance. Also when we go to church on Sunday's Sasa is in the BabyK'Tan the whole time and no one touches her because in the "Hug" position both arms and legs are completely in the carrier. People aren't tempted to touch them which is awesome!! They also ask me about the carrier because most people have never seen it before and they can't believe I'm carrying a baby. I receive awesome feedback from family members and strangers. My husband even used it! It totally doesn't fit him, but he loved using it. He enjoyed carrying his baby girl close to him. Being able to use it for both girls is great as well. When I'm alone with the girls and they are both fussy I put them both in the carrier. It can be used until the girls are 10lbs each. Mimi is a good 2 lbs. heavier then Sasa, but it doesn't matter which one I put in first. It's so cool walking around hands-free with both girls and they get to look at each other! Sasa is on oxygen and an apnea monitor and the BabyK'tan doesn't get in the way or cinch the oxygen tube. Even though the girls are 2 lbs difference in weight I can still use the same carrier because the sizing depends on mom and dad. This carrier will grow with my girls until they are 35lbs and it is durable enough to last until then and giveaway to another mother. To clean it is so easy! All I have to do is throw it in the wash with your regular laundry. What more could you ask for?

For more info on the BabyK'tan visit their website at www.BabyKtan.com. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter





Thank you BabyK'tan for making motherhood a little easier! :)

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

I'm So Determined To Do This...Again

A few days ago I was reading about the benefits of breastfeeding. It's not new information to me because I've researched it before while I was pregnant. When I was done re-reading I felt so guilty and selfish for not continuing to breastfeed my girls. It took me so long to start in the first place and then I threw all that hard work away. I didn't have the support I needed while I was in NY. With Mimi at home and Sasa in the hospital I couldn't breastfeed one and pump for the other and still cook and clean. So, formula took over. I felt guilty for it then and I feel the same now. That night I started to pump again. I'm so determined to give my girls breast milk again. It's so good for them! Especially since Sasa is still on oxygen, I think the nutrition form my milk will help her heal better.

I'm really kicking myself in the butt about this. Why did I stop? My decision was justified because I really couldn't do it all, but I could have let something else go instead of breastfeeding. the lesson I've learned, go with my gut. If I had paid attention to that guilty feeling, I would've figured out a way to keep pumping for the girls. Well, you live and you learn. Wish me luck on relactation!