Hip baby carriers really are going to revolutionize the way that parents carry their children around. But before you rush out to buy one, there are some things to remember. The first is that hip carriers are not meant for children that are under four months old, or before they can sit up on their own. Very young infants simply are not able to hold themselves up on a hip carrier, and the lack of back support could actually make it potentially very dangerous for baby. The other important thing to remember is that hip carriers aren’t meant for long walks. While this is not dangerous to the child, hip carriers do still tend to cause your body and spine to shift to one side. So if you strap one on for a long hike, you’re definitely going to feel it the next day!

But for when you’re just heading out to the mall, the grocery store, or just have a cranky baby that wants to be held while you do some thing around the house, there are definitely lots of good choices in hip baby carriers out there!

Hip carriers are becoming more and more popular, as parents continue to realize the benefits of carriers that allow you to hold your child as you would naturally – on your hip! Of course with these types of carriers there’s also the added support of cushioning and fabric. The Infantino Side Rider is just such a baby carrier and is made from soft fabric that will conform to the child’s shape and provide extra comfort and protection for mum or dad!

The Infantino Side Rider works by positioning a seat, made of soft fabric, around the parent’s hip and uses straps around the parent’s opposite shoulder as well as around the waist to evenly distribute the weight. Inside the carrier there’s a safety harness system so the child is always kept extra-safe and while the fabric is contoured to a child’s shape, there’s also lumbar support for the child to help reduce strain on the back. The parent’s hip support is also padded for additional comfort and there’s a side pocket for stowing your keys or extra change.

But that’s really where the features on this baby carrier just begin. The straps feature a tidy wrap system that helps keep excess straps out of your way and the Set & Forget System also allows you to only have to make the initial adjustment once and then save it for future use. There’s a release buckle that will make the carrier as wide as you need it when taking your baby in and out and the same buckle is also used to easily refasten. The buckling system is also specially designed so that the carrier is easy to get on and off. The Infantino Side Rider baby carrier is suitable for babies from 14 – 36 pounds, or approximately 4 months to well into the toddler years! A great investment in a great carrier!

This baby carrier from Quinny Curb lets you carry your child just as naturally as you would without any additional support – on your hip! The carrier straps snugly around your waist via a wide belt that will help support the back and is particularly helpful with the lumbar area and the shoulder strap is not only padded but fully adjustable so that it’ll fit just about anyone. Baby will also have lots of support with backing that comes up slightly to make baby feel even more secure. Also to add to your child’s support, this Quinny Curbb also comes with an insert that can be tucked inside when being used by smaller children.

The Quinny Curbb is easily portable so you can take it along with you when you’re not using it without it being awkward to carry and it’s a solid investment as you can use it from when your child is 6 months to 2 years old. The Quinny Curbb Hip baby carrier also has a very contemporary and stylish look in grey nylon and reflective piping. When you’re running out and about with your little one and need to be hands-free, this Quinny Curbb is a great way to go, and at a great price, too!

When considering the Yamo, you may want to keep in mind that although the shoulder straps are padded, they are quite thinner than other models so on long treks, they may be prone to digging in to one’s shoulders. The Yamo also doesn’t have any compartments or pockets for stashing extra nappies, wipes, snacks, or anything else you and your child may need along the way so in addition to the carrier, you may have to bring along another bag anyway to hold all of your things. That being said, the Yamo is one of the best-looking designs on the market today and for £65.00, you may find that it’s perfect for those short strolls to the market.

The carrier is best suited to babies up to 40 kg, which is generally before they hit the age of 3 so if you’re looking for a carrier that you can get a bit more life out of, there are certainly others on the market that will hold 4 and 5 year olds. And the single color of “Classic” black that is offered may appear to be more simple than elegant. The Scootababy baby carrier is available for £68.00.

And the tying method remains the same for any of the five positions in which the sling can be used which are: cradle hold for newborns, upright facing in for young babies, upright facing out, on the hip, and on the back; all three of the latter are for older babies and toddlers. Not only is this sling one that is extremely practical and easy to use but it is also very stylish, with a wrap that hugs the parent while the warm colors help calm baby. The sling is available in seven colors and is only 41 pounds!

Price: £50
From: Sasa Slings

Price: £35
From: Baby World