"Birthday Blessings Bash" Baby K'tan Review and #GIVEAWAY {US only}

Shortly after posting my review of the Moby carrier, I found Baby K'tan baby carriers. I was so happy when Baby K'tan contacted me to conduct a review of their baby carrier. Now, since my youngest has been so mobile and sees big brother walking (ok, running) around everywhere, he has decided that he does not want to sit in a stroller, shopping cart, or be worn! He insists on walking everywhere we go. This is a bit challenging for me, as the two boys are usually running around in different directions!
I received a size medium Baby K'tan baby carrier in eggplant!

The Baby K'tan comes in many beautiful colors and there are several ways to wear your baby using this carrier.
Here is some more information about the Baby K'tan carrier (taken from Baby K'tan's website):
•Free matching sash included - sash converts to handy storage tote!
•Easy to use! No wrapping or buckling.
•Innovative double loop design - cross between a sling, wrap and structured carrier.
•Built in back support band - second loop provides additional support and security.
•Carries infants and toddlers in multiple positions, from 8-35 lbs.
•Made of 100% soft natural and organic cotton

We love this carrier. Well, at least I do! I do not have any pictures to post of myself and my 2 yo being carried because, well, to be honest, he didn't want to be carried and no matter how many photos I took, he did not look happy in any of them!
I am going to hold onto my carrier though and use it for baby #3 (no, we are not expecting *yet*)!
The Baby K'tan is very easy to use! If you are anything like me and do not like to read the manuals for anything you buy, you can simply watch Baby K'tan video tutorials on You Tube!
The video that really helped me out was this one "Getting Started with Baby K'tan Baby Carrier"
You can purchase a Baby K'tan baby carrier directly from the Baby K'tan website (the eggplant color retails for $59.99)!
There is a  helpful sizing chart to help you decide which size carrier to buy!

If you are unsure about buying a Baby K'tan baby carrier, you can click here to see their page detailing the Baby K'tan compared to other baby carriers!

As a sponsor of the Birthday Blessings Bash event, Baby K'tan has generously offered one LWML follower the chance to win either a black organic Baby K'tan:

Or an original warm cocoa Baby K'tan carrier:

This giveaway is open to US residents only!

To enter, simply use the rafflecopter form below, you may have to click on "read more" to see the rafflecopter entry form!

Good Luck and have fun!
~Mama of the Littles~

Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above in exchange for this review, thanks to Baby K'tan! No monetary compensation was received by me. This is my completely honest opinion above and may differ from yours.

Baby Carrier {Ergo} Sucking Pads review and Etsy #GIVEAWAY!!

I've been browsing Etsy for some time now. I simply love that you can find such intricate and unusual items on Etsy that are home made by stay at home moms (SAHM)! One day awhile back I came across RedCharlotte! The shop caught my eye because she had listed a pair of 'sucking pads' for baby carriers. You see, ever since I started wearing my second baby in my Ergo Carrier, he has been chewing and sucking on the straps! Great for him, to relieve his teething, but not so great for my poor Ergo!! So what the sucking pads do, is protect your baby carrier from the infamous teething baby! They simply wrap around your baby carrier straps and your carrier is protected. Not only do they work to protect your carrier's straps, but they also (upon request) can come with cute taggies attached on each end for baby to play with (as seen below). Charlotte graciously sent me a pair of organic sucking pads for review... this is what I received:

I really love these sucking pads. First of all, they are so stinkin' cute. You can view the current fabric selections for sucking pads on RedCharlottes Etsy page.
Here is a bit more information about the sucking pads:
Red Charlotte Sucking Pads (as described by Charlotte herself)
- My taggie sucking pads are my original design.
- I started making them because I couldn’t find any cute, functional options on the market.
- I’m a work-from-home-mom to a 12 month old girl who LOVES her own pair of sucking pads.
- Each pad includes three layers of fabric; the top layer is designer fabric, with two additional layers of super absorbent, white flannel.
- A wide range of designer fabric selections, including organic options, available in the shop.
- The pads are reversible! (Designer fabric on one side, white flannel on the other.)
- You can buy them with taggies on one side or both sides. My daughter occupies herself for hours playing with the top taggies now that she can reach them.
- They fit all the major baby carriers including the Ergo, the Mei Tai, the BabyHawk, the Beco, the Boba, the Kinderpack, the Bamberoo, the Baby Bjorn, the Pikkolo, and the Patapum.
- I have a YouTube video that also explains how awesome they are.

Here are the sucking pads on my beloved Ergo carrier:

This is my 19 month old in the Ergo. I usually wear him on my back, but this was a quick photo shoot.... just for the purpose of this review! *as you can see, he does not mind being worn on my front :)

RedCharlotte not only makes sucking pads for baby carriers (Ergo, Mei Tai, Beco, Boba, BabyHawk and More - Songbird) but she also makes and sells burp cloths, bibs, taggie blankets, and Baby Carrier Stuff Sacks!

What is a baby carrier stuff sack you ask? I am glad you did. Here is a brief description of the stuff sack: (as described by Charlotte herself)
Red Charlotte Stuff Sacks
- My baby carrier Stuff Sacks are my original design.
- I was inspired to make them when I couldn’t find a neat way to store my Ergo on our sailboat.
- The Stuff Sack fits all the major baby carriers including the Ergo, the Mei Tai, the BabyHawk, the Beco, the Boba, the Kinderpack, the Baby Bjorn, the Pikkolo, and the Patapum.
- It’s also a great way to store slings and wraps that are long and cumbersome.
- You can use the Stuff Sack as a bolster for babies who are learning how to sit or as a pillow when your little one needs a place to lay their head at the park or the beach.
- My Stuff Sacks are made with designer fabric and come with a coordinating carry-handle on the bottom, a high-quality barrel clasp, and heavy duty shock cord to handle frequent, daily use.
- I have a YouTube video that also explains how awesome they are.

To see which stuff sacks are currently available, please click here
Pricing:
Baby Carrier Stuff Sacks: $32.95
Sucking Pads (single-side taggies): $19.95
Sucking Pads (double-side taggies) $22.95
ORGANIC Sucking Pads (single-side taggies): $24.95
ORGANIC Sucking Pads (double-side taggies) $26.95

Win it! RedCharlotte has generously offered one LWML follower the chance to win their choice of a pair of sucking pads (maximum value $22.95) or a stuff sack (maximum value $32.95)!
This giveaway is open world-wide!

To enter, simply use the rafflecopter form below, you may have to click on "read more" to see the rafflecopter entry form!

Good Luck and have fun!
~Mama of the Littles~

Disclosure: I received the product mentioned above in exchange for this review, thanks to RedCharlotte! No monetary compensation was received by me. This is my completely honest opinion above and may differ from yours.

Boba Carrier Review!!!

How many of you use some sort of a baby carrier? I certainly do! I was recently sent an organic Boba Carrier in Pine! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!! Before I get into the many reasons I love my new Boba, lets talk about the benefits of baby wearing! Dr. Sears has a great section on his website "Ask Dr. Sears" that specifically details Babywearing, and its many benefits. I suggest you go make yourself a nice cuppa tea or pour yourself a hot cup of coffee (during nap-time of course) and read this article! According to Dr. Sears, the baby that is worn, cries less, learns more, is more organized, gets 'humanized' earlier, and is smarter!! I know we all want to raise, healthy, happy smart littles right? He also has a great section called "Reasons Babywearing Reduces SIDS" *sudden infant death syndrome* I also suggest you read this article too! If you need to, you can get up and make yourself another cuppa tea!!

This review is not about Dr. Sears (though I would jump at a chance to interview him and pick his brain)!! Its about the awesomeness of my Boba carrier! I have used my Ergo Baby carrier from the day I received it for a review. I love my Ergo, don't get me wrong, but I think the Boba carrier is my new favorite, and this is why: The Boba Carrier is a soft structured carrier intended for children 15-45 lbs. The carrier itself is very light and only weighs 1.8 lbs. The Boba has a few extra inches of height to keep the carrier's (you) center of gravity closer to your body and support your child's back! The Boba carrier also has foot straps, which are intended to give the child a healthy sitting position!

Here are the dimensions and product description of the Boba carrier *taken from the Boba website*

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

•accommodates children 15-45 lbs / 7-20 kg

•one size fits most adults

•front and back carry

•Boba Organic collection made with GOTS and OE100 certified 100% organic cotton and organic Texas cotton lining

•Boba Classic collection made with 100% natural brushed cotton

•Instructions included

•high density waist and shoulder strap foam

•removable foot straps for extra leg/hip support

•high back for better overall support

•removable hood PRODUCT MEASUREMENTS

•body 13 inches wide and 16 inches tall

•19 inch shoulder straps that extend an additional 19 inches

•28 inch waist belt that extends to 56 inches

•5 inch waist belt

•weight of the carrier: 1.8 lbs

Here are some pics of the Boba I received: Here are some pictures of my boys in the Boba (really wanted to take these outside but the weather has been pretty wet here)!!! Here is my 3 year old (33+ lbs.): Rear view (notice the position of his feet, and the frog-like position) Here is my 15 month old (19+lbs.): View from the front: The main difference *in my opinion* between the Ergo and Boba is the fact that with the Ergo, you can carry your infant from birth to 40 lbs (with infant insert) and with the Boba, your child has to be 15 lbs in order to be carried! Also, the Ergo does not have foot straps like the Boba does. I love both carriers and love to be able to have my littles so snuggly close when we're out and about! You can purchase a beautiful Boba Carrier directly from their website! The organic carriers cost $128.00 and the classic carriers are only $100.00! You can also find Boba carriers on Amazon, I found both the organic and the classic... but they were only $1.00 cheaper than on the Boba website, but Amazon has free shipping and Boba charges $5.99! If you purchase this carrier through the Boba website, you will receive a 60 days no questions asked return policy! Which is always nice! If you have a baby carrier, Boba, Ergo... whatever, feel free to comment on this post and explain your favorite carrier. Why do you like to use a baby carrier? If you don't have a carrier, please feel free to post questions so that us baby carrying mama's can answer! Thanks for reading and happy shopping!

~Mama of the Littles~