by Vivian Muehlen
When my second son was born, I was worried that I was going to have the same breastfeeding experience I had with my first son: mastitis, cracked nipples, poor latch, poor milk supply, strain on my arms, neck and shoulder, you name it, I had it. After 3 weeks of pure torture, I gave up breastfeeding altogether and switched to pumping, but my poor milk supply ended up catching up to me and I had to give it all up before my 1st boy was 6 months old.
Two weeks after my 2nd son was born, I saw that I was headed down the exact same path as before. I suffered from mastitis due to a poor latch and the same, nasty arm, neck and shoulder pain. I wanted to breastfeed more than anything in the world, but I cringed every time I had to do it. The only ray of hope I had was as I visited with lactation consultants who helped me latch my son on properly and hold him securely in place while I nursed for once without feeling any pain. I realized I needed something to help hold my son safely in place so that I could free up my hands. I tried slings and wraps, but unfortunately was never able to figure out how to nurse in them. All of this left me feeling very frustrated, not to mention immensely sad that I wasn’t able to give my son what he needed most. Again.
It was during one of these sessions that a nurse mentioned that I was not alone: most moms give up breastfeeding before their babies are 3 months old. I also found out that almost 30% of pregnant women suffer from carpal tunnel or tendonitis and that this condition is worsened through breastfeeding. Those statistics shocked me. That night, at home, I decided I was going to try to do something about it. So I joined forces with lactation consultants and physical therapists and the KoalaKin, Hands Free Nursing Pouch was born (pun intended!!)
Not a sling, and not a carrier, the KoalaKin consists of a vest and a pouch developed specifically to mimic a mother’s hold, letting moms nurse completely hands free, thus providing a more relaxing experience. The pouch is also designed to hold the baby snugly and safely against mom’s chest, which may dramatically improve a baby’s ability to latch on and stay latched, as well as relieve arm, neck and shoulder pain. It was also important for me to create a product that would promote the healthy bonding that naturally occurs during breastfeeding and therefore the KoalaKin has a nice opening at the top so that moms can easily look at their babies during nursing sessions.
And finally, Mary Beth Ackerman, a physical therapist in Washington who specializes in pregnancy related injuries says, “The KoalaKin encourages a more ergonomic posture with feeding. It allows you to sit or stand more upright, reducing strain on your shoulders and neck. By freeing up your hands, it reduces repetitive strain on the wrists. Overall, the KoalaKin is a great tool in preventing post-partum injuries.”
It is my sincere hope and desire to enable moms to nurse their babies free from pain for as long as they desire, and not have to give it up before they are ready.
Vivian Muehlen, born and raised in Brazil, moved to the US in 2000 after living in Germany for ten years. She worked for Microsoft and other large companies for more than 15 years, until deciding to give up corporate life to focus her attention on developing a product to help nursing mothers … and so the KoalaKin Nursing Positioner was born. She currently lives in Kirkland, WA with her husband and four children, a cat and a dog.
WIN ONE!
Vivian has generously offered to give away a Koala Kin Hands-Free Nursing Carrier to one lucky Mommy News & Views reader!
To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling us why you think the Koala Kin will help you to breastfeed your baby. **This is a mandatory entry in order to be entered to win**
For a 2nd chance to win, stop by and like us on facebook and stop by and like KoalaKin too!.
And finally, for a 3rd chance to win, tweet about this contest. Please include a link to your tweet in your comment.
Please leave one comment for each of the three activities once they have been completed. And don’t forget to tell your friends – we want as many mamas as possible to have a chance of winning one of these great carriers!!
**This contest is open to residents of the US and Canada ONLY. Contest ends 11/5/11- winner will be chosen by random drawing. Winner will be notified by email and will have 48 hours to respond.
Need this in my life <3<3 liked on fb too :]
I breastfeed my first for 13 months and plan to do the same with the next. This product would help me chase a toddler and nurse successfully!
The KoalaKin would help me greatly because I have 2 older children with very active social calendars, so I need to be able to get them ready and out the door, while still feeding the youngest.
Your baby shouldn’t have to turn his or her head or strain his or her neck to nurse. I think Koala Kin will definitely help make sure that doesn’t happen.
Thank you for this great give away opportunity! ^_^
I would love one of these as baby two is due in 2 weeks and I would love to have my hands to take care of my son while feeding the baby.
I like both on Facebook!
What a great idea! Some nights after nursing all day long, my shoulders are so tense and strained, I have to go lay in the hot bath to try to loosen them up so I can sleep.
Liked it on facebook, too!
I would absolutely LOVE to win this because I have had a rollercoaster of a ride with breastfeeding my third baby (who of which is the first of my babies I BF). Everywhere from poor latch for 5-6 weeks, to low milk supply that I still am battling, to nipple vasospasm, you name it…. Needless to say, I am one strong fighter for us to continue this amazing journey. Only problem?? He HATES to be covered up while nursing in public and it is equally as hard for me to hold him as he’s flopping all around and getting very heavy (he’s almost 7 months old). I never knew this even existed. I think it could and would potentially solve both of my problems. I think it definitely seems like a very clever BF product every mom should own. Wish I had seen this sooner!!!!!
Fan of a Mother’s Boutique and KoalaKin on Facebook!!!!!!!
liked both pages on FB!
I’m stil EBF my 9 month old daughter. I go to school full time and work part time and I’m so lucky she gets to come with me for those things so I can stil nurse her. I’m a FB fan of the Mother’s Boutique and when I saw she posted about this product after the ABC expo I knew I needed one! Hope I win, it would be an awesome birthday gift for myself!
I would love to win this! My son is 10 months old and is so distracted while nursing…I think this would help his focus and also ease my back allowing us to continue breastfeeding!
I liked both on facebook
I re-tweeted this giveaway
Oh, I wouldn’t have the carpal tunnel syndrome pain again!
Liked both on FB
This would be sooo helpful with my neck and shoulder. We’ve been having some latching troubles occasionally and I think this would be a great help!
I would LOVE to win this… I’m a new mom to a 6 week old. She nursed in my Moby Wrap just fine at birth, but she’s too big to do it comfortably now! This would be amazing so I can still get stuff done around the house while she nurses. What an awesome idea!
I retweeted your post! I’m @fuschiafoot
I liked you on FB!
I nursed my first son for 13 months and only
Weaned bc I found I was pregnant. I just had my 2nd son October 13 and it is very difficult to chase a toddler and nurse.
The koalakin would be a lifesaver!!!
I liked both A Mothers Boutique and Koalakin on facebook.
with a newborn and a toddler I could really use this as I am nursing my baby and I can still get stuff done. I think this would help my back pain too! What a great invention since breastfeeding is so important.
This will be helpful because I have a two year old and would love to have my hands free!
I liked Koala Kin and already liked Mother’s Boutique! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Third entry, twitter and retweeted I’m @stephanieb555
Checkout the giveaway of a Koala Kin @MommyNews blog http://blog.mothersboutique.com/hands-free-nursing-for-moms/comment-page-1/#comment-17571
Liked Koala Kin on Facebook and I already liked you! 😉
Winning this would help me soooo much! I suffer from severe migraines (often, especially now that while nursing I cannot take my preventative medicines). It is hard to hold baby properly when I’m in pain (my left side tends to go numb), plus the straining of my neck and back agravates the whole situation. Many say its silly for me to do this, that I have nursed enough (3 months) and should switch to formula so I can go back to my meds. I can’t do that! My LO deserves for me to make an effort, I can’t be that selfish.
I really think this would make things so much easier. THANK YOU!
Wish I had had this with my first son seemed like standing and holding him was the best way for him to latch. This would really make life better with the next one!!
I like Koala Kin and Mother’s Boutique on Facebook!
I’d love one of these. I have a 4 and 2 year old and would make nursing the third baby much easier when I’m helping the older ones. Would also make things like grocery shopping much easier.
I had horrible carpal tunnel during my pregnancy and still struggle with it after 9 mths. This would allow me to nurse pain free.
I liked KoalaKin and already liked A Mother’s Boutique.
I already “like” you on facebook.
Here is a link to my twitter feed: https://twitter.com/#!/HRBarnhorn
In a few months, I will have two nurslings under 18 months. This time around I’m going to need to have my hands free more often than not! I don’t forsee the luxury of laying in bed nursing for hours on end with a toddler running around!
This would make my life so much easier! I am currently in school online to get certification to have a career so I can work from home so I can stay with my baby girl so having something like this would be amazing and so much help! I would looooove to win one!
I also liked both on Facebook!!
I had the worst carpal tunnel while BF my first. Now with a second baby in the way, I’m nervous that it will happen again! I really think this would help with the carpal tunnel and juggling a 2 year old and a newborn.
I am currently 17 weeks pregnant and am determined to breastfeed my baby. I am a first time mom and anything to help me be successful at breastfeeding would be a blessing!
I also became a fan on facebook.
I liked both on Facebook!
I would seriously be ecstatic to win one of these. I won’t buy one for myself b/c we have a tight budget but this would be HUGE since i’m due with my next one next week AND i have a two year old!
For the last five months, my wrist has been in such pain that I can only nurse on my left side if I am lying down. I’ve had acupuncture and massage, and have worn a brace every day. I could certainly use one of these!
I like you and koalakin on Facebook.
I have a toddler (who is still nursing!) that will be 20 months when her little brother is born, so I know I’m gonna need all the free hands I can get to keep up with her while breastfeeding the baby!
Have liked A Mother’s Boutique on FB for quite a while, and I am now a fan of Koala Kin!
Here’s the link to my Twitter post: http://twitter.com/#!/katiePmack/status/132267328548241408
This would be extremely helpful while keeping up with my toddler. I rememeber needing so much support while nursing my first that it was hard to nurse outside the home let alone while taking care of another child. This sounds amazing!
because of my large chest I’ve never really been able to nurse in a carrier. I think I might be able to nurse in this though!