Hip Carriers – How can you hip carry, what's on the marketplace, and what I Really Think

Hip carriers seem to be everywhere right now. If you’ve scrolled Instagram, you’ve probably seen the Senara hip carrier (and plenty of other dupes exactly like it) popping up all over your feed. They look convenient, but here’s the catch – this brand / many others like it have not been safety tested. If the brand seems relatively new to the marketplace that can be a big red flag in my opinion. When it comes to baby carriers, that’s always my first thought: safety before anything else - if the buckle went, or if your baby reacted to

the material/ dyes used etc you wouldn't forgive yourself.

If you do want a one-shoulder hip carrier exactly in the style of the Senara, I’d instead suggest looking at UK safety-tested brands such as Wildride or perhaps Gooseket (the latter of these will be less comfy in my opinion though!) These have been properly checked and are designed to help take some of the strain off your arms when your little one wants is to be up and down all day. (Yet I could argue the case of wearing a lightweight carrier around your waist and popping baby in and out as you need - it doesn't take much longer!) In my opinion these should not be brought as your sole use carrier for longer walks - as your back would likely be in bits pretty quickly!

Let's talk about the comfort thing in more detail

These quick-strap hip carriers mentioned above simply aren’t designed for long-term comfort. Because the strap sits across just one shoulder, so that’s where the weight goes. And the bigger the baby, the more strain its going to put there.

A small tip if you do try one: wearing the strap on your outer shoulder tends to feel a bit nicer. Also, remember – these are carry assists, not hands-free carriers - this means that you’ll always need one hand on baby - helping to support them, to avoid any fall risk with leaning.

Lastly it's worth noting in most instances these carriers will be geared for babies that can sit unaided - they will be developmentally ready to be placed on a hip more easily with their good torso control, and more open hips that can straddle you better too.

Are there more Supportive Options - Yes!!

Some sling designs will simply give a better knee-to-knee seat and more back support, which makes a huge difference. I recently tried the new Neko Up and Down carry assist hip carrier and it does work far better than the brands mentioned above in this way - even when tested with my 3 year old!

There are also Lifft pouch slings and these are sized by your clothing (take a look at their site faqs for more info one how this works in principle) the way you cap the shoulder locks the weight in place and also enables you to be fully hands-free! They aren't available in that many colours/ designs but the new style means the logo is much more discreet - and aesthetically this is soooo much better.

Still, for a heavier toddler, I’d probably reach for a full-buckle carrier in a hip carry position if I needed comfort for longer stretches. Of course, that potentially takes away some of the “grab-and-go” minimal bag space (if it's a bulkier buckle) convenience – so it’s all about balancing your priorities.

A Word on Hip Seats

Another option you might see on the marketplace are hip seats (like the Hippy Chick Hip Seat). I personally don't rate the baby carriers that have these as the fit doesn't really work that great with smaller babies. A hip seats will take off some in-arms-only weight, and again are very much a carry assist item, but I can see the appeal for short bursts – like carrying around the house (up and down the stairs lots) when you just want your child on your hip without your arms aching as quickly.

Ring Slings – One of my favourite ways to Hip Carry

If you’re willing to do a little learning, ring slings really are so comfy once you’ve got the knack of them. They mould to you and your baby beautifully. They have a good amount of longevity too....And you can even back carry with a ring sling! They aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for me, they tick a lot of boxes.

Woven Wraps - again love a tying sling!

Another very versatile choice. Yes, they come with a bit of a learning curve too, but the options are endless, and again lots of longevity. Once you’ve mastered the techniques of tying / tightening a front inward carry (fwcc is where id suggest starting out), you can branch out into lots of hip carry variations including: Robin’s Hip Carry, Inside-Out Coolest Hip Carry, Poppins, a Traditional Sling Carry, or no sew ring sling. Short wraps work really well for these too.

Use your Buckle or a Half-Buckle Carrier in hip carry formation!

Don’t forget buckle carriers with cross straps at the back) can also be used to hip carry *again once sitting unaided. The waistband takes some load off the shoulder, which may make your hip carry feel comfier too. I think the relatively new Lenny Hip with it's now improved shoulder design is also worth a mention here (they are quite pricey but so simple to use).

Less mainstream - did you know half buckles can be tied off in the style of a Robin’s Hip Carry rather like a woven too?! Half buckles or meh dais are fab as between multiple wearers as you have far less adjustments as its tied to fit you, but there is less learning than a woven / ring sling in my opinion because the seat is already set :)

Thoughts on suitability person to person & safety

Depending on your body shape and size you may need a carrier with plenty of webbing or tail for your hip carry to be most comfy, and some brands are more plus-size friendly than others - you can also buy ring slings and Wovens in various lengths.

If you already deal with shoulder or back pain, I’ll be honest: a one-shoulder carry may never feel fully comfortable for you. It’s just due to how the weight is distributed! In such cases, once your child is ready (Once sitting unaided for full buckle carrier) I’d always recommend exploring back carrying for better support, and potentially considering a woven or half buckle if you're really struggling due to how the fabric spreads across your back.

Final Thoughts

Hip carriers can be handy for quick ups and downs, but they may not be the most comfortable for long periods, especially with larger kids, dependingon the style you opt for. If you’re curious, I’d always suggest trying a few different styles during a consultation, and/or hiring to save buying multiple things that just don't work for you / your little one.

Essentially, it’s about finding what matches your needs best, and picking a balance between safety, comfort, and convenience!

Last (but certainly not least) no matter what style of carrier you’re using, remember your safety checks and if you're unsure that your fit is right you can always reach out for support . You can read about safety in this blog post here