Category Archives: Adaptive

Dish Towels, memories, Christmas, kids craft, homemade, gift, holidays, present, toddler, http://www.adaptivemom.com, hands, feet, moose, Rudolph, angel, Christmas tree, penguin, Santa hat, Santa Clause, Mistletoe, mistletoes

Homemade Christmas Memories

 

Dish Towels, memories, Christmas, kids craft, homemade, gift, holidays, present, toddler, http://www.adaptivemom.com, hands, feet, moose, Rudolph, angel, Christmas tree, penguin, Santa hat, Santa Clause, Mistletoe, mistletoes

Last year, I decided to do a “Pintrest Christmas”. My son was still very small and napping a lot so it was a great way to spend some quality time with my daughter. We made enough of these dish towels (ok, so technically they’re linen napkins because I couldn’t find towels, but you get the point) to give 2 or 3 to every family member. It was NOT a task completed in one day or even one week. We just tried to utilize every free moment we had and lil Imp didn’t seem to mind all the child labor…as long as she got to squish her fingers and toes in messy paint after she finished “working”!

Of course, these designs can be used on any medium…use your imagination…plates, canvas, holiday cards, etc…this is just what we chose to use because they were small and easily stored for next year.

Supplies

  • Linen or cheese cloth dish towels (we found ours in 2 packs at Old Time Pottery far $2.50/ pack). White may work better, but red and green seemed more festive….and by all means buy EXTRAS for oopsies!
  • Nontoxic fabric paint
  • Sponge paint brushes
  • At least one set of adorably cute and small hands and feet

That’s it!

Dish Towels, memories, Christmas, kids craft, homemade, gift, holidays, present, toddler, http://www.adaptivemom.com, hands, feet, moose, Rudolph, angel, Christmas tree, penguin, Santa hat, Santa Clause, Mistletoe, mistletoes

Homemade Christmas Memories: Hands and Feet

We used only one body part and one color per session. Lil Imp had just turned 3 and her attention span was a bit limited. This technique required a bit more planning and organization on my part, but the last thing I wanted was an impatient toddler with painted feet stomping off in a tantrum!

Dish Towels, memories, Christmas, kids craft, homemade, gift, holidays, present, toddler, http://www.adaptivemom.com, hands, feet, moose, Rudolph, angel, Christmas tree, penguin, Santa hat, Santa Clause, Mistletoe, mistletoes

Homemade Christmas Memories: Feet

This craft is perfect for a parent and/or child with limited mobility. There is no cutting or building and the painting requires very passive movement.

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Homemade Christmas Memories: Hands

 I squirted paint on a paper plate, painted her hand or foot with fresh paint for each print, guided her for placement, then repeated. The planning and organization really came into play when we created the designs that required both hands, both feet, and/or all of the above. When all was printed and dry, I added the small details, names, and dates.

After each session was complete, we used the excess paint to “decorate” the paper plate. When the last towel was finished, I let her create her own “freestyle” prints on all of our “oopsies” towels.

*Remember: Don’t forget to label and date every design! If you ever repeat this craft with another, or even the same child, you’ll want to be able to tell them apart.

What are your favorite holiday crafts to make with your kids?

www.AdaptiveMom.net

My Housekeeping Secrets

AdaptiveMom.net

Hijacked Housekeeping

 

I am a total sucker for the latest and greatest cleaning gadgets. I’ve wasted a lot of money trying each trend and learned 3 things: 1) most of the “As Seen on TV” gadgets are CRAP 2) You get what you pay for 3) and there is no such thing as a house that cleans itself.

That said, here is a short list of the items I count on to keep my sanity, er…um, I mean my house clean.

Dyson DC35 Digital Slim

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The Dyson DC35 Digital Slim vacuum cleaner is cordless and weighs in at only 10 lbs. This little vacuum is powerful enough to rid my living room carpet of pet hair and crumbs, yet lightweight enough for my 3 year old to use…although she doesn’t yet vacuum quite up to my standards. It’s suitable for every floor surface: carpet, vinyl, tile and wood and includes a motorized floor tool with two types of brushes. There are regular and max power settings that provide variations in suction. I generally save the max power setting for carpets and when I need to use the hand tools to retrieve crumbs from between the sofa cushions as it drains the battery much faster.

From an adaptive standpoint, this lightweight cordless godsend allows me to vacuum my entire house without fatigue or tripping over cords. However, there is no on/off switch and requires manual activation of a power trigger while in use, but like I mentioned above…my 3 year old can use it. Another caution is battery life. Yes, I vacuum my entire house with this tool, but not all at once. I can generally complete 2-3 rooms per charge.

I do still use my regular cumbersome vacuum for deep cleaning, but for weekly routine chores, this little vac works wonders!

Refillable Spray Mop

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Using a traditional mop one-handed is a challenge at best. Between the heavy buckets and squeezing the excess water out while holding the mop with my chin…I need a more functional solution.

I use the Libman refillable spray mop in lieu of the Swiffer spray mop simply because it allows me to use my own *chemical free solution and a reusable pad. I did try to refill and continue to use my Swiffer for a bit, but found that the solution container leaked once the original seal was broken.

Steam Mop

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I currently own and use the Shark steam mop, I use it to deep clean my sealed hard floors. It’s lightweight and fast, heats up in 30 seconds, and automatically releases steam with every push-forward motion. However, since the steam is only released on the push forward and requires 15 seconds in 1 spot to truly sanitize, this is a mop NOT a sanitizer in my book. Still, it’s a great weapon against ground-in dirt, dust, and dried spills, and leaves the floor virtually dry.

I’ve started researching and saving for the HAAN Total HD-60 Steam Sweeper. This cool gadget steams AND sweeps simultaneously or separately, includes a carpet sanitizing attachment similar to the Shark, swivels, and is ready to steam in 20 seconds (I’ll keep you posted and review it when I get it).

Swiffer Extender

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The Swiffer Dusters with Extendable Handle extends up to three feet to reach dust in high and low places. This gadget saves my back in a couple of ways: 1) no bending or squatting to reach low shelves or baseboards 2) no climbing on stools or furniture to reach high places…hence no falling and busting my arse.

Automatic Shower Cleaning System

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I clean my shower daily with simply the touch of a button and walk away—the dual sprayer spins 360 degrees to spray cleaner on all four walls and tub/floor. I simply refill the bottles with my own *chemical free cleaning solution and my shower stays fresh. My solution even keeps my glass shower door spotless!

That’s about it. I attempt to keep a rotating cleaning schedule, but seem to be failing miserably in that area at the moment. In a perfect world (where my kids helped and made no messes) this is roughly the schedule I’d keep:

Monday: Catch up on messes left during weekend fun, Swing chore (dust baseboards, shampoo carpet, etc)
Tuesday: Dust, Clean glass doors and mirrors
Wednesday: Change and wash sheets and towels
Thursday: Vacuum bedrooms
Friday: Clean and mop kitchen and bathrooms
Saturday: Outside chores, Wash the dog
Sunday: Have fun
Everyday: complete 1 load of laundry; keep up with dishes, crumbs, and pet hair; tidy toys; vacuum traffic areas

 

What are YOUR housekeeping secrets?

 

*Chemical free cleaning solution: 50/50 water and white vinegar with 1tsp of dish soap. For wood floors, I occasionally add 10-20 drops of lemon essential oil. For the shower sprayer, I also add about a tablespoon of baking soda.

**Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I purchased these items for my own personal use. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own. I only review products that I’ve found to be adaptable through personal experience or that I have researched and tried for the purpose of adaptive review.

Amazon links are affiliate links.

My Favorite Kitchen Gadgets

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to do a bit of “show and tell”.  I’ll be sharing some of my favorite gadgets that make my adaptive life and motherhood a little easier. I’ll also provide you with links to do a little shopping for yourself. Who doesn’t love shopping, right?

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Let’s begin in the kitchen…Like most of you, I tend to go on autopilot in the kitchen juggling food prep, food fights, and “I don’t like this”. Any device to make this, sometimes painful, process a bit simpler is a godsend.

Swedish Cutting Board:

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Sweedish Cutting Board…oh, how I love thee! Let me count the ways…I love your stainless steel spikes that hold fruits and veggies for cutting or slicing. I love your vise that holds larger food items, jars, and mixing bowls. I love your rubber suction feet that adhere the board securely in place.

Rocker Knife:

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This knife cuts by rocking it back and forth on food, so no need to also hold the food still with a fork. Handle is designed for easy use by individuals with a weak grasp. The safety edge, stainless steel blade maybe sharpened with a knife sharpener and it is dishwasher safe.

Pampered Chef Salad Choppers:

Pampered Chef Salad Choppers

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these choppers! The stainless blades are titanium-coated for unmatched sharpness. They have hollowed recesses to prevent ingredients from sticking to the blades and are spring-loaded with soft-grip handles to keep hands from tiring…also making them south-paw friendly! These are great for chopping vegetables, tomatoes, and even boneless chicken breast…and they’re dishwasher-safe.

EzSqueeze One-Handed Can Opener:

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The EzSqueeze One-Handed Can Opener offers an innovative, squeeze-to-open design that makes opening cans quick, safe and ever so easy – open a can with just a few squeezes. With a stainless steel cutting blade and a magnetic end that allows for easy and safe removal of lids, this opener is a keeper.
I tried electric can openers, but honestly this manual is easier due to it’s lightweight and no need to fiddle with batteries…and the whole thing can be tossed in the dishwasher!

Stationary Dish Scrubber:

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This double sided bristle brush attaches firmly to the bottom of your sink or counter top with suction cups. Stays firmly positioned as you slide glasses, plates, mugs, and silverware between the two sets of bristles. Cleans both sides at once as well as those hard to reach areas. Makes one handed dish washing a breeze.
Taller brushes are available, but I prefer the shorter brush because it is not so top heavy and stays put better. When it gets dirty…toss it in the dishwasher!

Silicone Bottom Bowls:

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This one’s pretty simple…bowls that move less while mixing. A silicone bottom bowl paired with the Swedish cutting board are a match made in baking heaven

Silicone Hot Pad:

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I use these when stirring in pots hot off the stove…you know, for essentials like making mac’n’cheese! These also come in handy to hold a plate still while spreading things like peanut butter on a sandwich.

Crock Pot:

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How is a crock pot adaptive? Well, chopping and dicing meat is especially troublesome one handed and even more so when you forget to pull it from the freezer ahead of time. My Crock Pot allows me to cook all sorts of things without the prep work. Even meat is easily pulled with a fork after a day in the slow cooker.

I’m sure I’ve left something out, so I may write a part 2 before this series is over, but this is by far my top 8…I think…

What are your favorite kitchen gadgets?

*Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I purchased these items for my own personal use. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.
I only review products that I’ve found to be adaptable through personal experience or that I have researched and tried for the purpose of adaptive review.
Amazon links are affiliate links.

My Big Red Tryke

National AMBUCS, Inc. is a national charitable service organization whose goal is to create mobility and independence for people with disabilities.

The AMBUCS mission is fulfilled by members of local chapters who:

  • Perform Community Service
  • Provide AmTryke therapeutic tricycles to people with disabilities, and
  • Provide scholarships to therapists

For many, AMBUCS is a fun way to serve in their community.

This is my AMBUCS story:

I loved riding my bike as a kid. I went everywhere. I rode to see my friends, to the store, and to the park. When I became differently-abled, I had to give up my bike. For years, I longed for a fun way to exercise outdoors (other than horseback riding) and get from point A to point B without having to walk (my walking limit is 0.5-1.0 miles). However, the only adaptive bikes I knew of were handbikes for paraplegics. I could find nothing for a lopsided teen/adult with balance issues.

Then a few years ago, my dad noticed a group of differently-abled bike riders in a local parade and passed the information along to me.

The group was from our local AMBUCS chapter and the bikes were AmTrykes. All of the riders in the parade had been children, but I was hopeful and contacted my local AMBUCS to schedule a fitting with one of their volunteer Physical Therapists. I was the chapter’s 1st adult bike rider and with a little trial and error we designed a custom bike to fit my needs.

My family agreed to donate the funds for my bike as a Christmas present and I had my beautiful red tricycle before Santa even arrived.

My first set of wheels was an upright single-speed tryke. It was great for riding up and down the street, but I struggled with even the mildest of slopes.

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A few years later, my local AMBUCS chapter contacted me about a new recumbent 21 speed tricycle that they were offering. I was thrilled!

I was refitted for the new bike and traded in my original bike for the majority of the cost.
It was awesome to know my 1st tryke was going on to help someone else who had similar needs to mine. She was able to receive her bike faster because it required a discounted donation and was already on site and built.

My new 21 speed is AWESOME! It enables me to do things I never thought possible. I ride bikes with my daughter, I ride with my husband who tows both kids, I visit friends and family all over our neighborhood, and I ride to the pool. I go whenever and wherever I want. Total freedom while strengthening my body and getting a cardiovascular workout…something not easily obtained by many differently-abled individuals including myself.

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AmTrykes offer endless possibilities for all ages and levels of ability and AMBUCS makes these trykes accessible to all through donations and fundraisers.

Want to get involved?

Find your local chapter

Donate to the national AMBUCS organization

Purchase products from Essante Organics to benefit my local chapter. 30% of all sales purchased from the link below will go directly to the Huntsville TN Valley AMBUCS chapter.
http://www.essanteorganics.com/HTVAMBUCS

AMBUCS is not just for adults! There are also AMBUCS Youth Auxiliary chapters made up of college or high school students that care about the AMBUCS mission.

 

 

20 Years Ago Today

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20 years ago today

20 years ago today, I was in Fort Walton

20 years ago today, I awoke right-handed
20 years ago today, I sliced the bread with ease
20 years ago today, I won at gin rummy
20 years ago today, my head began to ache
20 years ago today, they cut my favorite shorts
20 years ago today, they shaved my lovely hair
20 years ago today, I lost a lot of blood
20 years ago today, my mom flew to be there
20 years ago today, my dad feared a goodbye
20 years ago today, the doc tried one more time
20 years ago today, he stopped my bleeding brain
20 years ago today, I gave a crooked smile
20 years ago today, (deep breath) I began again


Ruckabye Baby

Happy Independence Day!

Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty. ~Louis D. Brandeis

As we celebrate this Independence Day, I’d like to honor the men and women who have fought for and continue to defend and protect our freedoms. This week’s post is dedicated to an organization that serves our wounded warriors.

Ruckabye Baby – Helping wounded warriors carry on

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Freedom is the oxygen of the soul. ~Moshe Dayan

Ruckabye Baby is a donation-based, 100% volunteer organization devoted to providing wounded warriors with baby carriers to enable them to safely and comfortably hold their children after sustaining debilitating injuries.

As the granddaughter of a General and a mom who is dependent upon babywearing myself, I was inspired by their story…

“Our project began when a dear friend, a Staff Sergeant in the US Army, was severely wounded in an IED explosion. As he slowly learned to function with the loss of both arms and both legs, he realized that the devastating effects of his injuries were farther reaching than the immediate physical concerns; the accident had cost him the ability to hold his 9 month old baby. Our founder responded by buying him a baby carrier, which provided him with a safe and comfortable way to hold and bond with his daughter. In addition, it enabled his wife to carry their daughter while still being able to tend to her husband’s increased needs. After helping him, we realized that he couldn’t be the only soldier with this need and Ruckabye Baby was born.”

Ruckabye Baby’s mission is to provide families of wounded warriors with safe carriers to help the soldier to create a lasting bond between themselves and their babies, as well as to alleviate some of the hardship on the spouse by giving them a hands-free way to care for their baby while assisting their soldier in day-to-day activities that have become their new “normal.” The soldiers and their families are given a carrier and taught how to use that carrier either by a certified member of this project or by an affiliated organization for babywearing to ensure that the baby and the person wearing the baby are safe, comfortable, and happy about their babywearing experience.

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Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower

Here’s how you can help…

I’d like to challenge everyone who is moved by this cause to donate in celebration of Independence Day.

Are you willing to sacrifice a few fireworks, a steak, or a bottle of wine to donate to such a worthy cause?

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In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Adaptive Babywearing: Baby K’tan Giveaway!

The Baby K’tan Baby Carrier is a soft hybrid carrier that offers the ideal blend of a sling and wrap. Its innovative double-loop design allows mom or dad to wear baby in multiple positions, without any complicated wrapping or buckling! It is lightweight and compact, yet ergonomically designed to distribute baby’s weight across both shoulders. Retail value: $49.95. www.babyktan.com

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As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, it’s difficult for me to carry my babies unless I am wearing them. I have always been envious of those moms who snuggled with their babies in a simple wrap carrier, but wrapping and tying them one handed never seemed doable. I even tried a few slings, but have yet to find a comfortable option. Hence, I’ve always felt limited to soft structured carriers (SSC) like the Boba and Ergo.

Then…
I was introduced to the Baby K’tan while shopping at my local baby boutique, A Nurturing Moment. The owner, Glenni, is familiar with my need for adaptability and encouraged me to try the Baby K’tan with her weighted display doll to see if it might be an acceptable adaptable option.

After playing around with the doll in a few different carries, I decided the K’tan might be worthy of further review.

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Little did I know, it would become one of my daily essentials!

Hug Position

Hug Position

My son is a snuggler and demands human contact most of the day and night. I love this about him…it’s so nice to feel needed. However, it means that blogging and keeping up with housework must often take a backseat.

I tried wearing him in one of my SSC’s around the house and it worked well, but it was difficult to get the timing right. It’s a bit cumbersome to wear a SSC all day while baby is playing or eating just to be able to quickly pop him in it when he starts to get fussy or show feeding cues. I found that if I waited until he was ready to be held before I put the carrier on, I’d just forgo the whole thing and end up sitting with him and my Boppy.

My Baby K’tan solved all of those issues. I can toss my K’tan around my neck at a moments notice. I’ve even worn it across my chest in preparation to grab baby and go when he starts working up a fuss. It’s about like wearing a scarf, lightweight and soft.

My son may still fuss a bit while getting situated, but no more waiting on mommy to get settled with my Boppy…oh, and my iPad…and I’ll need a water…and maybe a snack…and, crap, I better go pee first because he may sleep for hours.

The K’tan allows me to stay mobile and hands free while my son nurses and naps to his heart’s content.

So here’s the breakdown…

Ease of use:

There is a learning curve. The Baby K’tan consists of two large loops of fabric connected by a small loop and a separate sash. This can be a bit daunting for a mom who is new to babywearing. Luckily, Baby K’tan offers a free step by step guide with pictures and easy to follow instructions for each of the 6 positions. There are also how-to videos on the Baby K’tan YouTube channel, as well as, my adaptive videos below to help you get started.

Mommy Comfort:

The K’tan is super comfy. No buckles, no straps, and balanced weight distribution across your shoulders and back. For me and my 19 lb tank of a son, this is not my all day carrier. My back starts getting fatigued after a few hours even while sitting. However, if I had found this option when he was a newborn, I could see myself easily wearing him for full day outings. Also, as you’ll see below, I am able to comfortably and safely carry my 32 lb three and a half year old with my K’tan in the hip position. This can come in handy when we are out and about, as I can carry one and push the other in the stroller.
A quick adaptive note, a good stroller can offer a bit extra balance and support while baby wearing on the go. I’ll discuss this at length another day, but thought I’d mention it here as well.

Baby Comfort:

I love, love, love this carrier for baby comfort. Baby is able to move and stretch against the fabric while still staying safe and cozy next to you.
My son has eczema that often flares behind his knees and this is the ONLY carrier we’ve tried that does not cause pressure and rub spots where his legs rest and meet the fabric.

Breastfeeding:

(I’m actually writing this section while nursing) We love breastfeeding in our Baby K’tan. The stretchy fabric snuggles him close and is lightweight and cool enough for baby to stay comfy. Initially, I was concerned that my Baby K’tan was going to carry him too high to comfortably nurse, but once he settled into the hug position breastfeeding was a breeze. I am able to nurse sitting or standing. Due to my right sided weakness, I could never dream of nursing standing without a carrier.
If modesty is your concern, nursing in public in your Baby K’tan can be very discrete…as you may note in one of the videos below.

The Downside:

Sizeability: You must buy the size that fits you so it can be difficult to share with another caregiver. On the flip side, this is the trade off for no straps or buckles…and sometimes it’s nice to have something in the house that you don’t have to share. 😉

Weight Distribution: I must watch my posture in this carrier. Unlike an SSG which places some of baby’s weight on your hips, the K’tan (and any other wrap or sling carrier) distributes baby’s weight throughout your shoulders and back. For this reason, my K’tan has become my at home and quick in and out errands carrier. It is ideal for doctor’s visits, managing baby between the car and shopping cart, and nursing in public.

The Positions:

Hug Position: My favorite for my little one. Ideal for breastfeeding.

Two-Hip Position: Good for shifting baby’s weight when fatigue is an issue.

Adventure Position: We’ve attempted this hold a few times, but my son is not a fan of facing out. Babywearers should use caution when wearing a baby forward facing because it can cause extra stress to the back and shoulders due to the way the baby’s weight is distributed and carried vs. the way it’s distributed when baby is snuggled close and “wrapped around” facing your body. It’s also important to remember to support the baby’s legs and hips when forward facing. Fortunately, the K’tan allows for this needed support by enabling the wearer to widen the base of the carrier/ fabric so that it cradles the child and gives full support to his hips and spine. See Owner’s Manual p.9

Explore Position: I prefer this position to the Adventure position, but my son is almost too large at 19lbs to pull it off.

The Adventure and Explore positions may be ideal for wheelchair users that need extra security holding their little one while using hands to ambulate their chair.

Hip Position: Great for hauling a larger child. I also use this position with my son for a quick assist, but it’s not entirely hands free and thus not ideal for this one-handed wearer.

Is it wrong to want another baby just so I can try the Newborn Kangaroo Position? 😉

With so many position options this carrier is ideal for adapting to the caregiver’s individual babywearing needs.

Baby K’tan helped me be gain independence through adaptive babywearing and I hope it will do the same for you!

In honor of Independence Day, I am offering one lucky winner a free Baby K’tan in your choice of size and color. The contest begins at midnight tonight (6/20/13) and will run through July 5th. Please share this post and submit your entries above. Good Luck!

Adaptive Baby Wearing
This part applies to all carriers…whatever works for you:

My tip for any mom with limited mobility or just new to baby wearing: Find a place to sit. It is 10x easier and safer getting a baby or toddler in carrier while seated. At home, I prefer the couch for extra wiggle room. When out and about, I get baby situated in the carrier while sitting in the car or on a park bench.

To unload your baby: Simply sit and lay baby in your lap or bend over a chair, car seat and gently lay baby down and slide him out of the carrier. Once baby is situated in his next destination (car seat, floor, Dad’s arms) take the carrier off.

As with all things adaptive, do whatever works for you. Every body is different. Find what adaptations work best for you and your baby. My goal is to demonstrate the adaptive possibilities of the carrier, the rest is up to you!

Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I purchased a Baby K’tan carrier at a discount for the purpose of this review. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.
I only review products that I’ve found to be adaptable through personal experience or that I have researched and tried for the purpose of adaptive review.
Amazon links are affiliate links.

Boba Air Review

For me, baby wearing is the equivalent of carrying my child. Secondary to my disability, I am unable to carry my kids “the old fashioned way” for any length of time simply because I need my only functional arm and hand for things like opening doors, getting a drink, picking a wedgie, wiping noses, and well, you get the point. Strength, balance, and endurance are also issues since I am only able to carry my kids on my left hip.

I’ve tried many different carriers with my kiddos over the years. After much trial and error, my go to carrier is a heavily padded performance Soft Structured Carrier (SSC) simply because of the extra security, comfort, and accessibility that it offers. However, it can be miserable to wear out during steamy southern summers. I was in need of an alternative solution for my clingy must-always-be-held baby boy.

After a bit of research, I decided to give the new BobaAir a try.

boba air full

 

Here are a few of the features that attracted me:

Compact and self-storing: This carrier only weighs 0.7lbs and folds up into itself for easy storage…Just like that cool windbreaker I had in college!

Diversity: The BobaAir is a SSC that offers front and back carry and that is intended for children between 15-45lbs.

Durability: It is made of 100% Nylon and therefore easy to clean and extremely durable.

Sleeping Hood and Pocket: Like many SSCs, the BobaAir includes a sleeping hood and a large pocket to store your hood in when not in use. The hood can be used to protect your little one from sun or rain, or to provide a cover when they are nursing or taking a nap.

Sizeability: The BobaAir is designed to fit parents of all shapes and sizes. All straps are fully adjustable and have those handy little elastic bands so you can comfortably tuck the straps away once you have the carrier comfortably adjusted. AKA: MY HUSBAND CAN ALSO HELP CARRY THE LOAD!

 

The Trial:

Our first BobaAir outing lasted about 2 hours, included some indoor/outdoor time, a lot of standing, a bit of walking, breastfeeding, and sitting whenever I needed a break.

Sizing and buckling were similar to that of my performance SSC and very accessible. In fact, the centered buckles (standard for Boba) may even be a bit easier to manage than other SSCs that have a static side and adjustable side usually making them right handed.

The minimalist BobaAir actually made wearing my 19lb son a bit easier since the carrier itself weighs virtually nothing. As far as adaptability, this is an EXCELLENT feature!

Usually, after wearing my son for any length of time in my heavier SSC, our shirts will be damp with sweat and I worry about him becoming overheated. After 2 hours in the BobaAir, our shirts were dry and my son was cool as a cucumber.

The BobaAir really IS cooler.

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Mommy Comfort:

Initially, I was a bit skeptical of this carrier due to the lack of padding. However, once adjusted correctly, I found the BobaAir almost as comfortable as my go-to padded soft carrier.

My right-sided weakness means very little natural padding through my right shoulder and I found myself adjusting the shoulder strap around my boney collarbone multiple times. Fortunately, this can easily be remedied by using an extra teething pad or doubled piece of cloth as a shoulder pad when needed.

 

Baby comfort:

My son was definitely cooler, but there is a tradeoff. With no padding, the backs of his legs and behind his knees had some pressure marks. The marks quickly faded once out of the carrier and no raw spots were noted.

On that note, let me mention the eczema perspective for a moment. As any eczema mom knows, heat is a big issue. I would most definitely recommend this carrier for it’s lightweight properties. However, be warned that the nylon, although cool, is not very soft. I would recommend putting baby in lightweight clothing that covers his/her highly prone eczema hot spots to protect from rubbing irritation, but you probably already do that anyway, right?

 

Breastfeeding:

The BobaAir is a dream for breastfeeding mums. Without any padding to get in the way, the breathable nylon keeps baby cool and ready to nurse. I will say that the “sleeping hood” falls a bit short as a nursing cover as compared to my other SSC, but I think the benefits far out weigh this one minor infraction.

 

Summary:

Despite the BobaAir’s minimalist appearance, I am able to carry my 19lb son comfortably for limited intervals. This is not an all day carrier. I will continue to use it for summer outings, church, and travel and I believe it will be ideal for flying.

As an added bonus, I was also able to give my 33lb daughter a piggyback ride for the VERY 1st TIME! That single experience put this carrier near the top of my list.

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*A word of caution when using this carrier, if you are having trouble getting the straps adjusted comfortably CALL BOBA. Their customer service is excellent and ready to help. Initially, I spent 3 days playing around with my BobaAir trying to get everything comfortably situated. Come to find out that my carrier was defective. Total fluke! If I’d just called Boba to begin with, I may have realized this before I subjected my son and self to so much frustration. Once I contacted Boba to discuss my concerns, I had a replacement BobaAir within 48 hrs as well as a shipping label to return my 1st carrier free of charge to Boba. They assured me that they would be examining the defective carrier to remedy potential future issues. My replacement carrier adjusted quickly and comfortably on the 1st try.

 

Adaptive Baby Wearing

This part applies to all carriers…whatever works for you:

My tip for any mom with limited mobility or just new to baby wearing: Find a place to sit. It is 10x easier and safer getting a baby or toddler in carrier while seated. At home, I prefer the couch for extra wiggle room. When out and about, I get baby situated in the carrier while sitting in the car or on a park bench. Just fasten and adjust the belt before getting baby out of his car seat or stroller.

To unload your baby: Simply bend over a chair, car seat, or bed, unbuckle my chest strap, and gently lay baby down and slide him out of the carrier. Once baby is situated in his next destination (car seat, floor, Dad’s arms) take the carrier off and tuck it back into itself.

To unload your toddler: Find a deep enough seat for you both to sit and carefully let her out of the carrier.

As with all things adaptive, do whatever works for you. Every body is different. Find what adaptations work best for you.

How have you adapted baby wearing to fit your needs?

 
Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post. I was provided a BobaAir for the purposes of this review. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.
I only review products that I’ve found to be adaptable through personal experience or that I have researched and tried for the purpose of adaptive review.
Amazon links are affiliate links.

No Fuss, No Muss Homemade Baby Food

With our 1st child I spent hours in the kitchen each week preparing, cooking, and pureeing baby food, then freezing it in ice cube trays or small plastic containers. It was exhausting, messy, and required a lot of cleanup.

On occasion, we splurged and purchased baby food pouches. These things were a godsend! No jars or bowls to scrape or wash. Just squeeze straight into the spoon…or baby. No fuss, no muss, but at $1.50 a pop they were a luxury.

By the time baby #2 was ready to try solids, the pouch craze had peaked and was becoming more accessible. I decided to try the Infantino Squeeze Station. This system enables me to make my own baby food and stuff it into pouches myself. Very little muss, but still a bit of fuss.

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A few months ago I started researching juicing…for myself. We ended up purchasing a Nutri Bullet as a starter juicer and it just so happens that it is also a great tool for making baby food!

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The Nutri Bullet allows me to feed my baby whole raw fruits and veggies…peel and all. If the recipe gets too thin, I just mix in a little steamed rice, quinoa, or organic rice cereal. It’s also great for pureeing steamed or cooked foods.

Teaming the Nutri Bullet with Infantino Squeeze Station makes baby food prep, storage and feeding NO muss, NO fuss! And, if you’re brave, you can even let baby feed himself from the pouch.

Of course, some foods don’t require any special preparation at all and can be served straight from your plate. Once baby can tolerate a bit of texture, rice, quinoa, banana, avocado, potato, and applesauce are great on-the-fly foods for when you’ve not had time to plan ahead. No fuss, but maybe a little muss.

I also use a few strategies from the book Baby-Led Weaning by Tracey Murkett. A cleaned carrot and frozen peas can offer an entire mealtime of enjoyment for a teething baby. Following this method can also be no fuss, mo muss. Baby eats what you eat.

Now for the adaptive part…

The Infantino Squeeze Station is a great piece of adaptive equipment. The entire system is usable for those with limited mobility. However, the plunger makes a very tight seal when pressing the puree into the pouch and is hence a bit difficult to remove one handed. I have a Swedish Cutting Board with a gripping vise that I use to adapt tasks such as this. Cleaning is a bit tedious because there are 6 pieces, but all are dishwasher safe.

The Nutri Bullet is another effort saver. This is one of those rare times when healthier is easier. Most veggies just need to be washed, cut, and tossed in. Fruits may require pitting and peeling, but some can be left intact. If you’re new to whole raw diets, be sure to do your research before diving in. Cleaning is also simple, just 3 pieces to rinse and put in the dishwasher.

Here’s the bottom line…

The Infantino Squeeze Station and Nutri Bullet  will cost you a one time total investment of $143

Empty single use pouches are $17 for 50 pouches (reusable pouches are also a great option, but not compatible with the Squeeze Station) vs. about $75 for 50 commercial baby food pouches.

Knowing everything that goes into your baby for a control freak like me…PRICELESS!

What’s your favorite way to feed your baby solids?