What are Hip Seats and are They Good for Babies and Toddlers?
What is a baby hip seat carrier?
Most hip seat carriers have a removable panel that attaches to the hip seat’s waistband. Without the panel, you can position the hip seat on either side of your waist where it’s most comfortable for you. With the back panel, you can go hands-free with your child. Hip seat carriers are not a recommended newborn carrier, but they can be used for infants and toddlers from about 6 months to 3 years old, depending on the specific carrier and its weight limit.
Is a hip seat good for your child?
Like other types of carriers, a hip seat is fine to use with your child as long as it properly supports and secures your child while she’s in it.Advantages of Using a Baby Hip Seat
When your child is in a hip seat, he’s held and supported in a natural position, able to see and interact with the world around him, and most importantly, he’s bonding up close with mom or dad.
But children aren’t the only ones to benefit. A baby or toddler hip carrier does physical wonders for parents:
- Helps evenly distribute your child’s weight around your lower torso.
- Babywear comfortably for longer.
Since a baby hip carrier helps lighten the burden of carrying around the weight of a baby or toddler, this means you can be more comfortable carrying your child around and will be able to carry him for longer periods of time if necessary.
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- Ideal for those with back problems.
Many parents want to babywear, but they have a hard time because they have bad backs. Many of these parents, though, have found hip carrying to be their solution. It’s a great carrying position if you have back problems because it distributes your child’s weight to ensure there is little to no stress on your spine and back muscles.
- Keeps you standing upright.
A hip seat carrier makes you less top-heavy. Unlike some forward-facing carriers and backpack carriers, your hips, waist, and legs take the bulk of your child’s weight rather than your back and shoulders. You won’t be hunched over trying to hold all your kid’s weight in front or be pulled backward like you can be with most traditional back carriers, especially when carrying a toddler.
What to Know Before Using a Hip Carrier
Before you begin using a baby hip carrier, there are things you should know and do to ensure you and your child are safe and comfortable.
- Your child should have good head and neck control.
- Comfort also matters.
- Mix up which side you hold your child on.
If you only hold your baby or toddler on your right side, it can mess up your posture and also cause your right side muscles to be stronger than your left, which could mess up your balance.
- Practice safe babywearing.
Once your baby or toddler is in the baby hip carrier, do a safety check and double-check your:
⦁ Child’s face is visible
⦁ Child’s airway is open
⦁ Child’s chin is off his or her chest
⦁ Child is sitting upright, not slumped, with his or her back and neck is properly supported
⦁ The hip carrier is tight on you and holds your child close against your body.