K'tan a waste of money?

tangerinemachine · April 2014

I want to get a k'tan but my mom thinks it will be a waste of money and LO won't like it. DS is just over 14 pounds right now and is hard to handle, he's very squirmy and likes to look around at everything. My back and shoulders are sore and need relief! Does your LO like the k'tan?

Magnolia+Mama · April 2014

Mine is still warming up to it. But on the days when she is quiet and relaxed in it...I am a lot more productive!!

ziggy903 · April 2014

I think it's a little late for something stretchy like a ktan. You may want to consider a ssc like an ergo or maybe a beco Gemini where baby has the option to face out?

tangerinemachine · April 2014

I looked online and it says the k'tan can be used up to 40 pounds and has. 8 possible positions including facing out. I'm just going off that. I'm open to suggestions.

tangerinemachine · April 2014

Is the ergo one good for doing things around the house too?

sdlaura · April 2014

I love my k'tan but at this point I'd probably get an ergo. My son is around 13 pounds and my back starts to hurt when I wear him for long in the k'tan.

shellbell3845 · April 2014

stwilding said:
Is the ergo one good for doing things around the house too?

I wear it when things must get done and LO must be held. It's more structured than the k'tan, but I see no reason why you can't wear it wherever you want.

ETA I was totally not going to wear my baby. But now I use my ergo all the time.

ziggy903 · April 2014

stwilding said:
Is the ergo one good for doing things around the house too?

Yup! The ergo is fantastic and super comfy.

The thing about stretchy wraps like the moby and ktan is that.. They stretch. And sag. And when baby gets over about 15lb or so, they start to get uncomfortable for mom.

tangerinemachine · April 2014

Wow there's so many options I'm glad I asked! Thanks for all your advice!

ziggy903 · April 2014

clb2196 said:

stwilding said:

Is the ergo one good for doing things around the house too?

My Tula is basically the same as an Ergo, and yes! The only thing I don't like it for is sitting, because of the waistband, so I use the K'Tan for that (like for church as I mentioned). Otherwise a SSC is great for doing things around the house. And FWIW, even inward facing LO can still easily look around when they're awake.

Facing in is ideal because baby can see what they want, but when they're feeling overstimulated they're not forced into seeing a ton of stuff like they are when front facing.
A wonderful thing with a ssc like the ergo or tula(there are a ton, these are just the ones listed here) is that when baby gets bigger, you can wear them on your back. A stretchy wrap shouldn't be worn on your back.

halfthetree · April 2014

I know I throw this out in nearly every babywearing thread, but look into woven wraps. One will last a long time, offer many different carries, and are so comfy and cuddly for baby.

queeniecrayon · April 2014

@Stephanie185‌ which woven do you recommend?

ziggy903 · April 2014

Stephanie185 said:
I know I throw this out in nearly every babywearing thread, but look into woven wraps. One will last a long time, offer many different carries, and are so comfy and cuddly for baby.

The thing about a woven wrap is there's such a learning curve. If someone is iffy about beginning to baby wear, a woven may make them feel like it's too difficult, whereas something simpler(like a ssc or mei tai) are better intros to wearing IMO.

Of course, this is coming from someone who is still learning to wrap and is honestly iffy about loving them. I love the way wraps look, but I'm not very good with them and prefer something lighter weight.

OP, you may want to see if there is a baby wearing group near you. That way you can try a few things on before you buy something you may not love.

shellbell3845 · April 2014

ziggy903 said:

Stephanie185 said:
I know I throw this out in nearly every babywearing thread, but look into woven wraps. One will last a long time, offer many different carries, and are so comfy and cuddly for baby.
OP, you may want to see if there is a baby wearing group near you. That way you can try a few things on before you buy something you may not love.

Or if you don't have a baby wearing group, try contacting an independent baby store if you have one. The store my LC owns has a baby wearing class, and you get to try a variety of carriers as well as get help on how to use them.

slwprincess · April 2014

I love the ktan for around the house and church but it kills my back to walk with it for very long and she's just now 10 lbs. the ergo is much better for walking around. I'm torn b/c we are going on a quick day trip flying to FL and back on Sat. I want my ergo for walking thru airports but my ktan on the plane :-(. No room in my carry on for both.

inluv4life2 · April 2014

I am about to buy a baby hawk and am looking for a woven wrap. My shretchy Moby will only feel secure for a little while longer and LO is getting heavy!

littlepig2 · April 2014

utpony said:
We're looking at getting an ergo this weekend because DH would rather use that than the k'tan. For how long do you use the infant insert? Just wondering if it's worth buying that as well at this point.

(Sorry to thread jack!)

@utpony‌ how big is LO? the Ergo says to only use the infant insert up to 12 lbs. DD is 11 lbs and she's fine without it now, especially since the weather is finally getting warmer because she would heat up in there!

OP, I'm obsessed with the Ergo. like PP said, it's kinda awkward to sit because I always feel like I'm crunching LO but it's just the waist band. I wear it around the house and can do everything except reach into the bottom of my top-loader washer because short and will squish DD. I practiced getting her in and out a few times at home and am confident doing it in public now, even by myself. I found the biggest thing is breaking in the straps so they're easy to adjust. plus she faces in now but can still easily look around when awake but as she gets bigger, I can carry her on my hip or back. I like the option for the hip which other carriers don't always have.

like @BlueDot818‌ said, I've heard the baby bjorn is bad for LO's hips.

eg214 · April 2014

LO is 11lbs ish and loves her Ktan but in the face me, legs out, upright position (don't know name sorry). We've used it for shopping and Nana wore her to walk around the Gardens. I have two other carriers like the Ergo and havent tried them out yet. One has a back strap up high and I'm worried I can't do it alone. Might end up selling that one

I second the looking for a baby wearing group to try some out.

mamacrunch · April 2014

I have a beco and a moby. I can still securely wear my 30lb'er in the moby, but I have to make frequent readjustments.
If you going to buy something I recommend a hip compatible carrier (ergo, beco, boba, the only bjorn I rec is the one that is ergonomical) that will also be worn on the back when lo is big enough.
Back wearing allows for more stuff to get done and you get longer wear time before you get sore.

ras26 · April 2014

slwprincess said:

I love the ktan for around the house and church but it kills my back to walk with it for very long and she's just now 10 lbs. the ergo is much better for walking around. I'm torn b/c we are going on a quick day trip flying to FL and back on Sat. I want my ergo for walking thru airports but my ktan on the plane :-(. No room in my carry on for both.

I would second all this. I like the k'tan around the house and for sitting and eating dinner (I've only dropped it on her head once), but even on a mile walk she started to sag and it got uncomfortable. I prefer a more structured carrier like Ergo for walking around.

Want a personalized experience?

K'tan a waste of money?

Re: K'tan a waste of money?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards