Are hip seats worthwhile?

[LizC]

I'm thinking of buying a hip seat to save my back. I keep getting terrible shoulder pains from carrying my 6 month old around on my hip, but thought I'd see if anyone had tried one first, as they're not exactly cheap. Does anyone know if they're any good?

The hippychicks are great. I use mine all the time. Out to the car, quick trips to the shop, tour around the garden, airports are when they are really handy. Perfect for when they are too big for slings.

Have been meaning to thank SueW for recommending these for ages. I think they are fantastic for all the uses reager quotes. It is ideal for my tubby 11 month old but I can also comfortably carry our 3 year old too with one. They really do transfer the weight of the child on to the pelvis.

Yes! I borrowed mine from a friend and it's fantastic. I borrowed mine when I couldn't carry DS2 any more, also at about 6 months. They get better when your little one can hold on so persevere if you get one as it may seem a little unsecure to start with. I've also successfully use mine with my 3 1/2 year old.

I also agree with reager on all of the places they're really useful.

Thanks very much for the recommendations, I think I'll definitely buy one now. It just seemed like a lot of money to spend on something if it might not work. Perhaps it's not so much money if it still works for 3 year olds. Thanks for the tips.

A cautionary note - I found that it is hard to do up tightly enough. If you don't then the weight of the child drags it down, and it can wreak havoc with your trousers - maybe my hips aren't big enough! However DH likes it, and will use it in preference to the buggy sometimes.

I find that if I position it over my hip (as opposed to my stomach), then it stays up better - and so do my trousers!

I have to confess I never thought I'd need a strap on hip - I thought mine were ample!

Oh that's a nice thought - hips not being big enough for something !

Don't think I'd have that problem though sadly ! My problem is the lack of a waist so if I try to carry dd on my hip, she just slides straight down my leg !

Florenceuk - might it be the weight of DH that is playing havoc with your trousers? If I were you I'd tell him its time to start walking and let DS/DD use it instead!

Katherine - LOL! I didn't read FlorenceUKs post that way.

There is a problem with the seat if you are quite short. I am five foot and found there wasn't actually enough space for the seat between my hips & bust. As the seat was at bust level it was a) very uncomfortable b) made me look as if I had a bizarre third breast. Even the people trying to sell it to me howled with laughter at the sight of it!

p.s. I am not as disfigured as this may make me sound! I had never thought I had a particularly short body until trying to wear a higppychick seat!

Based on your recommadtions have bought one (haven't told bf yet as its more money out)- please excuse the typing but 4.5 myo is trying to be helpful.

I have ordered one now - just hope I won't have any problems due to my height (I'm only 5'3) or falling down trousers (although I certainly don't lack hips, wouldn't that be nice!) Will let you know if I do, for anyone else planning to buy one.