I love this carrier for the following reasons:
1) AWESOME for breastfeeding in public - and this is coming from a first-time mom with a 9wk old. Breastfeeding is HARD - and this makes it easier. That alone makes it worth the investment. I wear this out like an infinity scarf, and when kiddo gets hungry, I slip the loops on (just follow instructions in package) and pop her in. The K'tan supports her weight so my arms don't get tired and my back doesn't hurt... and I can have a free hand if needed - and can even nurse standing up/ walking around!!! I wore it the other day while feeding in public at a sandwich shop and at least 3 guys walked by me and were clearly oblivious to the fact I was nursing. Worn with my favorite nursing top by a company called LaClef (https://www.amazon.com/LaClef-Doubled-Maternity-Breastfeeding-Charcoal/dp/B01IYMU2M6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1478883341&sr=8-4&keywords=laclef), you can do stealthy feeding anywhere. I bought a 2nd k'tan in a different color for this exact purpose.
2) It's far easier to put on than a Moby, but with essentially the same functionality. To be clear, Moby is also great for babywearing - and Moby has the added bonus of being adjustable which K'Tan is not - but it's not realistic to put on a Moby when you're away from home/ anywhere with a dirty floor, while the K'tan is truly a "go-anywhere" product.
Now, there are some "cons". First, sizing is tough. The size calculator had me in a size Med. I'm 5'7" and weigh 165 right now (~155 pre-baby), with 36DDD (36C pre-baby). I put on the medium and it felt huge, especially when my daughter was only 5 wks (~8lbs) - so I exchanged it for a small, which felt much better. Fast forward 4 weeks, she's now 10lbs and the size small feels REALLY tight now, like it might be squeezing her uncomfortably when I baby-wear. BUT the small is fine for nursing (maybe even better than a Med), so I use it for that, and in a pinch for babywearing - but I did go back to buy a second wrap in size medium (again). I used the excuse that I wanted a different color. :) Lots of reviewers talked about the material stretching out, but I haven't noticed that at all with my size small. I guess the moral of the story is to follow the sizing calculator on the Baby K'Tan website - or plan to buy 2 (size a small down for newbs <10lbs, then use the recommended size for over 10lbs). :) But overall, the fact that there isn't a way to adjust it - that's a bummer.
Second "con" is that there are Tags. All. Over. There's a GIANT white satin tag with "WARNING: SUFFOCATION HAZARD" in bright red ink and "how to use" instrutions/ pictures in blue and red ink tag sewn into one of the loops. Plus a Baby K'Tan tag on the other loop. PLUS a Baby K'Tan tag on the piece of material in the back that holds the 2 loops together, as well another larger white satin tag that's sewn in with washing instructions, and a 3rd "hanging" tag that has washing instructions in other languages. AND another Baby K'Tan tag on the "seatbelt" wrap. JEEZ! Like I said, I wear the carrier as an infinity scarf (one less thing to stuff into my diaper bag, plus I never have to worry about not having it if I'm already wearing it)... but I've had several occasions where I look down at my "chic infinity scarf" and see "WARNING: SUFFOCATION HAZARD" in bright red lettering on a white satin tag instead. Not so stealthy. Yes, I could probably grab a seam-ripper and spend an hour carefully cutting the tags (mostly) out. In all my free time. As a working-full-time-mom-of-a-9-wk-old. Riiiight. Minor complaint, but a complaint none-the-less.
Overall, if you're considering baby-wearing and/ or need a confidence booster/ tool for nursing in public, buy this wrap. I bought both of mine as "open box" deals on amazon and saved a couple bucks. One had been previously opened/ tried on but still had all the tags. The second was completely brand new/ never opened, but the outer cardboard box was totally squished. Just wash before you wear (I'd do that regardless) and it's fine.
Good luck, mamas! Happy baby-wearing and nursing!!!
| Product Dimensions | 8 x 3.5 x 8.6 inches |
|---|---|
| Item model number | BKBC-HG-XS |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Safety warning | Follow instructions provided by the manufacturer. |
| Target gender | Unisex |
| Minimum weight recommendation | 7 Pounds |
| Maximum weight recommendation | 35 Pounds |
| Material Type | Cotton |
| Care instructions | Machine Wash |
| Additional product features | Adjustable |
| Number Of Items | 1 |
| Style | ORIGINAL |
| Batteries required | No |
| Specification met | certified frustration-free |
| Orientation | Front |
| Is portable | No |
| Number of reclining positions | 6 |
| Item Weight | 1.28 pounds |
