Best Toddler Hip Carriers (2023)

If you’re in a hurry and just want to find out what the best toddler hip carrier is, I’d recommend the Tush Baby Hip Seat Carrier.

Is your back aching from carrying your ever-growing toddler? If you need an easy-to-use carrier that is toddler friendly, then a hip carrier is a great option. We’ve reviewed the best toddler hip carriers around to help you figure out the best one for you.

Here are the toddler hip carriers I will be reviewing:

• Tush Baby Hip Seat Carrier
• MiaMily Hipster Plus 3D
• Honch Baby Hip Seat Carrier with Adjustable Strap
• Sunnors Baby Hip Seat Carrier
• Babamour Designer Sling and Baby Carrier 2 in 1
  

My Top Toddler Hip Carrier Reviews

If you’re looking for a good hip carrier, then you’re in the right place.  We’ve selected the best hip carriers on the market, and reviewed them below.

Tush Baby Hip Seat Carrier

The Tush Baby hip seat carrier is an excellent choice for kids up to four years old. The upper weight limit is 44lbs, so it will last you for a good long time.

It’s a simple hip carrier, so putting it on is pretty straightforward. You wrap it around your waist, and the broad velcro band holds it in place while you clip in the single buckle. If you’re on the petite side, you may find that the velcro doesn’t go small enough. The buckle will, for most people, still hold the carrier securely.

Where the Tush Baby really excels, is how easy it is to pop your child on and off your hip. Because there are no straps, it’s as easy to pick them up and put them down, as if you didn’t have a carrier. But, when your child sits on it, it spreads the weight evenly across your hip, so it is much more comfortable than going without. 

The Tush Baby makes great use of the seat space and belt to give you loads of storage options. There are easy access pockets that make getting to your phone, wallet, and keys easy. There is also a good-sized pocket in the seat, which can comfortably carry all you need for a diaper change. With a mesh bottle pocket and a ring to attach hand sanitizer or toys, you really can take everything you need for a short trip out. There’s no need to bring a diaper bag as well.

While it does advertise as being for newborns through to toddlers, you can’t use it to carry a newborn, as there’s no head support. You can use it as a cushion for breastfeeding. But, you won’t want to use it for carrying your child until they have head control.

MiaMily Hipster Plus 3D

The MiaMily carrier is a multi-position carrier. They do claim that there are nine carrying positions, but that’s probably a bit of an overstatement. You can hold your child facing in or out on the hip seat with no straps. In back carrier mode, they can go on your back. When carrying your little one in front, they can face in or out. So, there are plenty of options.

You can use this carrier as soon as your child has head control. Once they are bigger, it is most useful as a hip seat or back carrier. The options do give it a longer usable lifetime though. With a maximum weight of 44lbs, it will comfortably hold a 4-year-old.

Even with the straps on, all of the weight is carried in your hips. The straps hold your child in position, without having to use your hands. So, as long as your child isn’t swinging about, you’ll carry the weight on your hips, and your back will thank you for it.

The straps attach using a zipper, which is easy to use, so you can easily change ‘mode’ while you’re out and about. The only downside to this is that the position of the zipper does mean that it can sometimes rub on your child’s leg when you’re carrying them. That means you either want your child in trousers or you’ll need something like a burp rag to pop in there.

There is storage in the seat, the belt, and the carrier straps, which means for shorter trips you can do without a diaper bag. The front pocket will hold everything you need for diaper changes, while the belt has an easy access pocket for your phone.

Honch Baby Hip Seat Carrier with Adjustable Strap

This carrier has a slightly higher weight limit than the other options at 45lbs. The other way it stands out is with the removable shoulder strap. This strap is not there to support your child. It just goes over your shoulder and helps stop the carrier from sliding down while you wear it. If you don’t want to use it, it snaps off easily.

When you are using the shoulder strap, you need to make sure that you have the waistband tightened adequately. The shoulder strap isn’t designed to take your child’s weight. So, if your waistband is loose, the pressure can go into the shoulder strap, causing it to break.

The seat has a large storage space inside it, which can easily carry all the essentials for a trip out with a toddler. There is also an easy access drink pocket, which holds a bottle or a sippy cup, even the wider ones. There is also a zippered pocket for your phone, keys, and a small wallet. The big plus about this phone pocket is that it is big enough, even for large phones.

The waistband is nice and wide, so it doesn’t dig into your hip when you pop your child on the seat. There is loads of padding, both on the waistband and the seat, so both you and your little one will be comfortable.

I don’t know how often you are out walking with your child at nighttime. But if you do pound the pavements in the dark, then it might be reassuring to know that this carrier has reflective strips to help keep you visible after sunset.

Sunnors Baby Hip Seat Carrier

Like the other carriers in this style, the Sunnors hip seat has an upper limit of 44lbs, so it should last your child until the age of four. This option couldn’t be any simpler to use. You wrap it around your waist and secure it, first with the velcro, and then with the buckle. Then you’re all set.

The waistband on this option is a little longer than others, so it’s a good choice for anyone with a larger waist. 

When it comes to storage, there is only a single zippered pocket. The downside here is that it can be awkward to reach if it’s on the side you like to carry your toddler. The pouch is a good size, though, so you can fit most types of phones inside. You will still need to bring your diaper bag with you because there isn’t enough space for all of your little one’s things.

While the storage is a little lacking, it does make up for it in function. The seat is a nice size and has non-slip material, which makes it easy to carry your child. Given that this is a value option, it’s clear the designers focused on the seat rather than the extras. So, if you are looking for a low cost, basic, option this is a great choice.

Babamour Designer Sling and Baby Carrier 2 in 1

The Babamour is one of the best value options if you want a hip carrier with support straps. You can use it as a hip seat alone, or for front and back carries. However, you will need a second pair of hands if you are using the straps as there is a buckle between the shoulder straps.

The maximum weight recommendation is just under 44lbs, so it should last your child up to the age of four with ease. As soon as your child has mastered their head control, you can carry them with the straps.

There are some nice added extras for when you have the back straps on. There is a sleep hood that will stop your child’s head from rolling when they fall asleep. There are also dribble ‘bibs’ for the straps; these are removable covers you can position to catch your baby’s dribble. These will come in handy as the carrier is hand wash only, so it’s much easier just to clean the strap covers.

The seat is easy to use on its own. For most parents, the most comfortable position is with the seat on their front. You can position it on your side, but it may not be as comfortable for you, especially if you don’t have the belt tight enough.

There is a small zippered pocket on the front, which is large enough for your phone or keys, but not a lot else. This means you’ll still need a diaper bag. This carrier offers a lot of flexibility for a budget option, but it also lacks the handy features you’ll find on the more expensive models.

Benefits Of Toddler Hip Carriers

There are so many different options for transporting small children and toddlers that it can be overwhelming to know which is the right one. When it comes to hip carriers, there are a few reasons why you might choose them. Here are the three big ones.

Reduced Back Pain

You don’t need to carry a toddler for a long time to start feeling the effects on your upper back and arms. Hip carriers are designed to spread your child’s weight over your hips. This means that the strongest part of your body is supporting your child. The problem with shoulder carriers is that the pressure is concentrated on your shoulders and upper back. This can very quickly lead to upper back pain. Personally, this is the single biggest reason that I started using a hip carrier.

Hip Safe Position

The best position for young children’s hips is in a jockey position. When you carry your child on a hip carrier, they naturally sit in this position while riding on the seat. 

Compact Replacement For A Stroller

Strollers are great until they aren’t. There’s nothing worse than reaching a flight of stairs with no help in sight. So having an alternative, once your toddler is walking, can be a relief. A hip carrier is an easy way to transport your toddler when their legs get tired and can be a smooth transition away from relying on a stroller.

What To Look For In A Toddler Hip Carrier

Once you know that you want to get a hip carrier, the next challenge is choosing the right one. There are a lot of options to sift through. Here are some things to look out for to help you find the best fit for your family.

Weight Range

Toddler hip carriers should tell you the upper weight limit. The standard is around 42lbs. Some will go as high as 45lbs. The average weight for a four-year-old is 40lbs, so that is how long you can expect your carrier to last. If your child is big for their age, you may want to seek out the sturdier options to give you the extra growing room.

Multiple Carry Options

Some hip carriers are just a seat. The benefit of these is that it is effortless to lift your toddler in and out. They aren’t strapped in. You simply support them with one arm. This is ideal once your child is walking and may want to be up and down.

Some hip carriers have detachable straps. This means that you can also use them as classic carriers. If you want the extra carry options, you’ll be better off looking for a model with shoulder straps.

Waist Size

It’s a good idea to consider all the people who might be using the hip carrier. Some models are better suited to different body shapes. If you need a carrier for a wide range of people, it can be worth looking for models that fit larger waists or that offer an extension belt.

Storage

Some hip carriers make great use of the space inside the hip seat. With these models, you can fit all your essentials for a trip out. If you like the idea of not only replacing your stroller but your diaper bag as well, then this is something to look out for.

You can never have too many pockets, in my opinion, but you need to decide if this is a priority for you. More storage often comes with a higher price tag.

A Little Word Of Warning

A lot of hip carriers advertise themselves as being suitable for newborns. You do need to be aware that this can be a misleading statement. They mean you can use them as a wearable cushion to help with feeding or to support your arms. It doesn’t mean that you can go out and about with your newborn relying on a hip carrier to support them.

Most of the hip carriers with shoulder straps don’t offer head support for newborns, either. When it comes to getting out and about with a child on your hip carrier, you’re really looking at starting from around three months, or when they have reliable head control.

Final Thoughts

The Tush Baby hip seat carrier is our top pick. It delivers on all fronts – it has plenty of storage space, is easy to use, and comfortable. Compared to the other options, it has the best all-round performance as a hip carrier.