Carriers are, without a doubt, the very best way to cart your kids around. Not only does it take the strain off of your back, shoulders, and arms, but it also allows your little one to feel snug, safe, and close to you. Add in the fact that most carriers free up your hands to get work done, and it is a win-win-win kind of a situation!
Now, you might be wondering what types of features you need to consider when finding the right hip seat carrier. Well, don’t you worry! You have come to the right place! In this article, I have laid it all out for you.
The buying guide will give you all the nitty-gritty details that you need to know before you get your carrier. I have also put together highly-detailed reviews of the best of the best baby hip carriers on the market today, which will allow you to find the best fit for you and your little one.
Sound good? Well then, let’s get to it!
The Best Baby Hip Seat Carriers
Cooler For Traveling With Breast Milk |
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LILLEbaby Six Position Carrier *Best Choice* |
(*) Below, you'll find my detailed review, but you can also click the links above to see prices and read customer opinions.
Top Five Baby Hip Seat Carriers
1. LILLEbaby Six Position Carrier *Best Choice*
Why We Love It
This is definitely one of the best baby hip carriers on the market today. It is super simple to adjust, get on, and load your baby into. It also is made out of some of the most comfortable and breathable materials on the market, which makes it ideal for pretty much any kind of weather.
This carrier can be used in six different positions. This, of course, includes the hip carrying position. But it will also allow you to adjust your position based on your baby’s needs, which is awesome.
Keep In Mind
This carrier is a bit over-sized. While this is great for supporting your little one, it might be a bit too big for a petite parent.
Why We Love It
While this carrier is a standard carrier, it can be zipped apart in such a way that only leaves a hip saddle for your kiddo to sit on. This makes one of, if not the quickest carriers on the market since all you have to do is set your baby on the seat, and go about your business.
Keep In Mind
Of course, with the removal of the straps, this is no longer a hands-free carrier. To utilize the carrier in this mode, you will need to support your baby with your arms to keep them in place.
3. Ergobaby 360
Why We Love It
Ergobaby has long been one of the better carrier brands on the market. They were one of the original creators of the standard carrier. With this entry into their lineup, they have improved upon their excellent original design.
It is easy to use, gives you the option to use different positions, and has lots of breathable padding to keep both of you comfortable.
Keep In Mind
The straps are a bit on the small side. You can purchase extra-long straps, but this will cost extra, which is a bit of a downer when you consider how expensive this carrier is to start with.
Why We Love It
This wrap is soft and stretchy, which makes it nice and comfy. It also comes with a support strap to help keep your little one in place, which is a great idea.
Keep In Mind
Unlike most wraps, this one does not have quite as much fabric as you might need. Depending on your size, and the size of your baby, this wrap might end up being a little too small.
Why We Love It
This is one of the strongest and most comfortable wraps on the market. It will also allow you to carry your little one on your hip all the way up until they are three years old, which is a tremendous value.
Keep In Mind
As with all wraps, they only work well if you understand how to use them. If you choose to go this route, make sure you take time to practice without your baby until you are a wrap master, or you’ll just end up all tangled with a sad baby.
And The Winner Is...
There are tons of choices for the best baby hip carriers on the market today, but there can only be one winner. After much research and thought, I have concluded that the LILLEbaby Six Position Carrier is the best hip carrier out there today. It is so easy to adjust, highly breathable, and simple to get a baby into, no matter what position you want to use. I highly recommend that you check it out!
Buyers’ Guide
As you might have guessed, there is a lot to consider when it comes to making sure that you have one of the best baby hip carriers for you and your kid. In this section, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know so that you can rest assured that you have the best carrier for your needs.
Why Should I Choose A Hip Seat Carrier?
First off, you might be wondering why you should get a hip carrier in the first place. That is a really good question! The answer is two-fold.
The first reason that you should get a hip carrier is if you are simply not comfortable with your little one on your front or back. In those positions, especially the back carrying position, it can be really hard to see your little one as you are going about your daily chores. These positions also put a lot of strain on your back and neck, while carrying on your hip relieves this pain.
The second reason that you might want to consider a hip carrier is if you have a larger than average baby, that likes to look around at the world. A hip carrier allows your little one a better vantage point than a front or back carrier since they are on the side of your body.
If your baby is a bit bigger, or even if you still want to carry your toddler, a hip carrier will allow your body to legs/hips to support most of their weight, rather than your back.
Carrier Type
Several different carriers will allow you to carry your kiddo on your hip.
The first criteria for using a hip carrier is that your child has to be able to support their own head. If they cannot do this, you won’t be able to wear them on your hip at all, as it would be unsafe. The two types of carriers that can handle the hip carrying position are some standard style carriers and wraps.
Standard – If you were to imagine a baby carrier, the one that would most likely come to your mind is a standard carrier. These carriers are lightweight, comfortable, easy to use, easy to clean, and are usually made with breathable materials. They will usually allow you to carry your kid in a variety of ways, including on your hip.
Wrap – Wraps are, without a doubt, the most versatile style of the carrier on the market today. They allow you to carry your baby in pretty much any way imaginable.
Their only downside is that they tend to be pretty expensive by and large.
Of course, the big downside is that they are tricky to use. I personally have always had a tough time figuring them out, but if you have the know-how and the patience, they are great for carrying kids on your hip!
Key Features To Look For In The Best Baby Hip Seat Carriers
Now that we have a bit of an idea what we are looking for let’s dive a bit deeper and go through all of the details that will help you peruse through the best baby hip carriers on the market and find the right one for your needs.
1. Comfort
The first and most important feature that you need to consider when you are looking for a carrier is how comfortable it is going to be for you and your baby. If your kiddo is comfy, they aren’t going to want to ride in the carrier. The same goes for your mom and dad; if the carrier isn’t a comfortable fit or causes strain, you aren’t going to use it.
It is always best to try out any carrier that you are considering without your baby in it first. That will give you the chance to see if you like how the straps feel and if you can adjust it to fit your body.
The straps should feel secure, but not so tight that they are hurting you. Any pads should be nice and thick, especially around your shoulders, neck, and hips. There should also be a good amount of padding for your baby, or they won’t be very comfy for very long.
2. Positions
Now, I know that you are looking for a carrier that will allow you to wear your baby on your hip. That doesn’t mean that you should avoid other positions as well. The beautiful thing about all of the different carriers in this article is that you have the option to switch to different positions if you so choose.
That doesn’t mean that every standard carrier will allow you to carry your baby on your hip. In fact, lots of models can only operate as a front or back carrier.
You need to be sure to look at each carrier carefully before you purchase, as only a select number of models will let you use your hips. Of course, all of the carriers on my list will allow this, so you don’t really need to search at all!
3. Material
Pretty much every carrier on the market is made out either cotton, nylon, polyester, or a combination of all three. Each of these materials has its own pros and cons, with the combinations fabrics usually performing the best. Carriers that are made with these combinations are usually the most comfortable and easy to clean.
Of course, you could always just go with a one material carrier. If this is your desire, I would recommend cotton. It is the most breathable material, which makes it great for warm weather. This makes it the most comfortable, which is ideal when you are carrying your kiddo around in the heat.
Nylon and polyester are easy to clean, but they tend to be hotter, which is not really all that great for those warmer months.
4. Ease of Use
No matter what kind of a hip carrier you decide upon, you should be able to get your little one in quickly and easily. This includes the times when they are tired and are not feeling all that helpful. The easier and less complicated the loading process, the more likely you are going to be to use your carrier.
5. Adjustability
No matter if you decide to go with a standard carrier or a wrap, you need to be sure that the carrier is adjustable. That will allow you to make sure that both you and your baby are as comfy as possible. Standard carriers will usually only have a finite amount of straps available, so be sure that you can get the right fit, or you won’t be able to use it.
Adjustability is where the value of a wrap truly shines through. They always come with an excess of fabric. This makes it simple, quick, and, as long as you know what you are doing, easy to get the perfect fit for you and your baby, regardless of how big of a person you or your baby are.
6. Weight Limit
Every type of carrier on the market today has different weight limits that you will need to take into consideration before your final decision. For instance, even though a standard carrier might say that you can use it as a hip carrier, it will have a weight limit to this position.
It doesn’t make any sense to get a carrier that will only let you use it as a hip carrier for a short amount of time, so always look for carriers with the highest weight limits possible.
OUR FULL REVIEWS
1. LILLEbaby Six Position Carrier *Best Choice*
This is most definitely one of the best baby hip seat carriers on the market today. In all honesty, this might be the best.
The first big plus for this carrier is the number of positions you have at your disposal. Obviously, you can carry your kiddo on your hip once they are old enough, but that’s not all! You can also choose from five other positions based on your preferences and what your baby likes.
This high-level on positions will make it that much more likely that you are actually going to use this carrier. Since you have so many choices, it will be easy to keep the carrying experience fresh for your baby.
The last thing that you want is for your kiddo to get bored of being in a carrier, which could happen if you use the same position all of the time. This carrier’s versatility and quality design will help to alleviate this issue.
This is also one of the most comfortable and breathable carriers out there. It is made from 100% cotton, so you know that it is good for hot weather due to its high breathability.
But wait! That’s not all! This carrier also has mesh panels built into its sides. These panels allow tons of air to flow right to you and your baby, which, in turn, will help to keep you both nice and comfortable on those hot summer days.
This hip carrier was also designed with a busy parent in mind. Right on the front of the carrier is a large zippered pocket that is more than big enough to fit all of your daily essentials. Let’s be honest; you don’t want to have to carry a purse along with your little one. This zippered pouch is so large that you can easily fit your keys, wallet, and cellphone.
Since it is right on the front of the carrier, all of these items will be right within your arm’s reach, which will help to save you time as you run your daily errands.
No matter what position you choose to carry your little one in, this carrier makes it a snap to get them in and get going. The hip position is probably the easiest one since all you have to do is put on the carrier, lift your kiddo in, and snap the straps into place.
The lumbar support straps will help to take the weight off of your shoulders and back, and you can be on your way to get your work done.
2. Bebamour New Style Sling and Baby Carrier
The Bebamour New Style Baby carrier is a unique baby carrier that will give you a ton of different carrying options. Perhaps its greatest feature, however, is its unique approach to hip carrying a baby.
This carrier has a hip seat that can be detached from the rest of the carrier and worn by itself. This hip seat can then be used to help you to carry your little one. The seat itself will support your baby from underneath and keep their hips aligned properly.
This revolutionary design is great for a baby who is up and moving. It will allow you to carry your kid while keeping most of their weight distributed nicely on your hips but also put them down quickly without too much of a hassle. The only real problem with this setup is that it will not allow you to keep your hands free. Instead, they will be needed to keep your baby in place.
Now, obviously, to combat this issue, all you have to do is keep the straps attached on the carrier. No matter if you choose to use the straps or just the hip belt, you can rest easy with the knowledge that this seat will last you for a good long time.
It is rated to hold a child all the way up to 44 lbs. This makes it a tremendous value since you should be able to use this carrier comfortably until your baby is four years old.
Another small knock on this carrier is that it is made out of 100% polyester. This fabric choice reduces the breathability immensely. Even though there isn’t a ton of fabric to cover up your little one, the bit that is there is going to make them, and you, quite hot, especially in warmer weather.
If you are a naturally warmer person, then you might want to avoid this carrier. Of course, the polyester is super simple to clean, which is definitely a positive when compared to other fabrics.
Another nice touch is for this carrier is the large storage pouch on the hip seat. This pouch is large, easy to open, and easy to reach. It is a perfect spot to keep all of your valuables as you go about your day. It is large enough that you can easily fit your phone, keys, and wallet.
Since it is in the hip seat, you are also guaranteed to have your things with you, regardless of whether or not you take off the shoulder straps.
3. Ergobaby 360
Ergo baby has long been a company known for their easy to use and versatile carriers. In fact, they were one of the first, if not the first, companies to make a carrier that would allow you to carry a baby on your hip.
This carrier can also be used to carry your kiddo on your front or on your back. This makes it a highly versatile standard carrier that can provide you with plenty of carrying options when you are on the go with your baby.
This carrier is made of 100% cotton. It is very thick, and very soft. It also has a high level of breathability, which makes it a great choice for any type of weather, but especially hot days.
Since it is an all-cotton carrier, this model is also quite simple to clean. Even if (when) your baby spits up on you, you should have no trouble getting the stains out quickly.
This is also one of the most comfortable standard carriers out there. The cotton padding in the shoulder straps and lap belt is simply amazing. Seriously, it is almost like you aren’t wearing anything at all, even when you have a pretty hefty baby strapped in there! This is true regardless of what position you decide to utilize, but especially when you are carrying on your hip.
The carrier itself is designed with a rigid internal frame. This helps to make sure that no matter what position you are carrying your kid in, be it on your hip, front, or back, they will be positioned correctly. This is a great idea. There are so many carriers out there that force an itty bitty baby into a position that is not ergonomically sound. This can have lasting effects on their joints, which is obviously a bad idea.
The Ergo, as you would expect by its name, is designed to keep your baby in the right position, so that they are not only comfy but will also avoid any painful joints down the road.
The only real problem with this carrier is that it is really expensive. It also has relatively short straps that might make it tough to get the right fit. You can purchase longer straps, but you will have to pay a bit more for them. This is a bit of a bother since the carrier is so expensive, to begin with.
This carrier is one of the most budget-friendly hip carriers on the market. It has plenty of lumbar support, so if you are looking to use a hip carrier because of any back issues you might have, then this is a perfect choice for you.
It features a hip seat that will prevent your child’s legs from dangling freely without any support. This is obviously ideal since will help to keep your child’s joints properly aligned. That way, you won’t need to worry about any long-term negative effects, as you might with other carriers that do not keep a baby’s hips properly aligned.
As with most wraps, this model is made out of very comfortable fabrics. It is a 95% cotton 5% spandex blend. This makes it easy to wash, especially since you can put the entire carrier through the washing machine on the gentle cycle if you would like too. You can also just as easily spot clean it.
Since the fabric is mostly cotton, you can rest assured that it will be breathable. The spandex gives the fabric just a little of stretchiness, but not too much. This helps to create a carrier that will be nice and comfy and cozy for your little one and you as you tote them around.
Since this is a wrap, you also will have the ability to carry your kiddo in a variety of ways. This, of course, included hip carrying.
Unlike most wraps, this one is relatively easy to get set up for whatever positions you want to carry your baby. It has a band that wraps around the wearer, which helps to give extra support for a bigger child. The weight limit on this wrap is nice and high, as you can use this carrier all the way up to 35 lbs. When considering how cheap this carrier is, this fact makes it an amazing value.
As with any great carrier, this one will allow you to completely function during the day without needing to support your little one with your hands. This will free you up to get a lot more done, while also keeping your baby safe and snug.
This is even true if you need to feed your baby. The stretch fabric of this carrier makes it quick and easy to adjust so that your kid can breastfeed right in the carrier, which is a big timesaver.
As you would expect with any wrap, there is plenty of fabric to go around. This will allow you to make sure that you and your little one have the right fit while you are carrying them.
The Boba is a one size fits all carrier, which makes it that much easier to find the right one for you. This excess of fabric also makes it easier to position your baby in just the right way to make sure that they have the support they need to feel comfortable as you carry them around all day.
All of the extra fabric will also allow you to carry your kiddo in a variety of ways. With this wrap, you can carry your little one on your front or on your hip. Since we are just looking for the best hip carriers, this lack of positions choices isn’t the biggest of deals.
This carrier works quite well in the hip position, though its comfort level is highly dependent on how well you can tie the wrap into position.
As I have mentioned previously, the only real problem with any wrap is trying to figure out how exactly to tie it. This carrier has simple step-by-step instructions that help to simplify the process, but it still takes a bit of practice. If you do decide to go with this carrier, make sure that you set aside a ton of time to practice getting it just right before you go out and about with your kiddo on your hip.
Another great feature for this carrier that you don’t usually get with wraps is the high weight limit. Once your baby can hold up their head, you can use this wrap all the way up to 35 lbs.
To put it more simply, you can use this wrap all the way up until your baby is three years old. This makes it a tremendous value, especially when you take into account the fact that this carrier is much cheaper than the standard models on the market.
The fabric for this carrier is made from 95% cotton and 5% spandex blend. This combination of fabrics creates a material that is both supportive and stretchable. It is also extremely breathable. This wrap would be a great choice for any type of weather and would be perfectly supportive of your little one as the two of you go about your daily routine.
Now That’s What I Call Hip!
Well there you have it! Now you know everything there is to know about finding the best baby hip seat carrier for you and your little one. I hope that this information will help you to find the perfect carrier for you and your little one! Have a great day!
