Heart Awareness Month

February is American Heart Awareness Month – a cause that is near and dear to our hearts.

In 2003, Eitan Lev Wernick (which means “Strong Heart”), the son of Baby K’tan CEO and Co-Founders Isaac Wernick and Aviva Wernick, was born. Shortly after his birth, the Wernicks learned that their baby boy had been born with a rare and serious heart defect known as Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR), and at only four weeks old, Eitan underwent a successful open-heart surgery at Miami Children’s Hospital.

After his surgery, Eitan was fragile and sensitive to pain. Having heard about the benefits of baby wearing and skin-to-skin care, the Wernicks began researching slings and baby carriers to try and find the best one, but they were dissatisfied with the carriers available on the market. They discussed this dilemma with their friends, Michal and Brian Chesal, whose son Coby was born with Down syndrome in 1999. The Chesals had likewise been unhappy with the baby carrier options on the market, and at that time, they worked on creating a modified carrier. After Eitan was born, the two families joined forces to create the perfect baby carrier to meet their standards in terms of quality, design, safety, structure and style and, from their efforts, the Baby K’tan Baby Carrier was born!

Today, Eitan is a thriving 7th grader who loves to play soccer, ice hockey and golf. Having already been a part of the inspiration behind the Baby K’tan Baby Carrier, he is now following in his parents’ footsteps and is currently designing and creating his very own baby product. Stay tuned for more info on his creations!