Hip seat or sling for 7 month old?

[TeaDr1nker]

i was wondering whether or not to get the hippychick hip seat? Has anyone any experience of this product. I am finding it difficult to carry LO around, wondered if anyone could give me some advice please. I have tried the baby bjorn but it killed my back - i don't have the strongest of backs in the first place. Has anyone got any alternative suggestions.

Many thanks

Tea

I found the hippychick a bit of a pain for anything other than 'short hops' - not least because there's nothing holding the lo in, iykwim.

Have you tried any fabric slings (eg ring sling, ergo) - much better ime.

I have a really bad back and use a wrap sling. You can have the baby tight into your body which stops any strain on your back.

I found carrying on either side was agony after a while but can still carry mammoth hulk rather large ds at nearly 11 months all day.

I saw a lady with one of these and it looked comfy.

The not having anything to hold LO in did make me think - hence wanting an alternative, to leave two hands free.

Knitter, thank you - i had a look, i am just wondering about back support.

Funny and Alistair which slings did you use?

I use a MeiTai with my now 2 year old, and its very comfortable and easy on your back - you can use it on your front or back, and as Alistair says, they are so tight into your body it stops any strain.

I like the BabyHawks - I think www.slingjax.co.uk have some new ones in.

I used had a hip seat with dd1, but it was hopeless - as has been said, nothing to hold her in to me. I now have one of these which I have used with both dd1 (nearly 4 and 18kg or so) and dd2 (tiny, now 16 months, used it from 11 months or so when she must have weighed about 12lbs?)

It is great, really adjustable, in both how close the baby sits in and how high/low/tight/loose you want the sling.

Can use on front, back or side, and it is vey comfortable in all positions.

I've got a couple of the Calin Bleu wrap slings from the same site as silverfrogs.

Sorry, cannot for the life of me do links that work.

Have a sling from here www.chrysaliscarriers.co.uk/aboutrslings.asp which is great. Can still fit my huge 4 year old in if I have to!

i found the hippychick thing uncomfortable and embarrassing. slings are the way forward. or a back carrier.

mei hip is an option. I ahd a hippychick hip seat for a while they are really uncomfortable as the fabric is rough and you still have to hold them on.

i've got a hippychick if you want to buy it cheap...used it a few times on a holiday and came in handy...selling it for a tenner.

i used to use a really fabulous sling. it had a frame and wheels and you pushed it around i think it was called a pushchair [snigger]

I have a MT and a wrap, and like both for different things (not using the wrap all that much now though, as I've not got the hang of back carries with it, and DS is nearly 13kg so a lump on the front).
I'd strongly recommend a MT - there are loads of different ones, it might be worth going to a slingmeet if you want to try a few before buying one though. Lots of second hand ones on ukbabywearingswap (yahoo group)
However I have to say, I'm considering buying a hippychick myself, exactly for the short hops. For eg at the zoo, or in the playground, or just wandering about, DS likes to be up and down quite a lot, and it's a pain getting him on and off my back every couple of minutes, especially when he starts to protest that he'd rather be shuffling about on the floor.
Personally I think it's horses for courses, some things fit one need, some another. I can't imagine using a hippychick for more than saving my back for 5-10 minutes at a go (tho my sis has used it on 2 hour walks w a (tiny) 1-1.5yr old). But I can happily walk for 2 hours with DS on my back in a MT.

The first sling I ever bought was a coorie to carry my 9-month-old on one side and it was so comfortable and quick to put on for quick trips into nursery. I never got on with the babybjorn either. I then bought an ergo - fab for longer walks.

thank you everone, i looked at the mei hip but thought that it may strain my back, does it allow you to have baby very tight to you to distribute the weight evenly?

Silver frog, can those baby carriers have baby on your hip? i can't carry LO on my front anymore, hurts to much...

the pikkolo (the one I have) is suitable for a hip carry, yes. I don't use it much - dd2 is still tiny so have her on my front (16 months but only 16lb!) but suspect I will be using it fairly soon.

I have used it for dd1 (for a very short period, as she is nearly 4 - we used it at the airport to keep her happy through the gate etc) and it worked well.

I find the pikkolo very adjustable, and it allows you to vary how tight in to your body you carry the child. adjust easily, and (for me) has the bonus of being secured with buckles - nice and easy and no faffing around tying stuff up.

I've used Mei Tais and Ergo and is very comfortable on your back!! I've carried my heavy 2 year old and still comfy. Carried my 1 year old for a couple of hours in my Ergo on Sunday and didn't feel a thing the next day and I'm very out of practice as I haven't carried him for a while.

Thanks everone for your advice, i am now the proud owner of a Mei Hip, very comfy and LO seemed to like it, got a little irritable after an hour but i am sure she will get used to it. I have to say that when i tried it on and put my daughter in it she felt as light as a feather, i was totally amazed and converted...