[MrsSmith]

Hi everyone -

I am wondering if anyone out there has used the Playtex Hip Hammock Child Carrier? I just saw this in the Toys R Us circular and it may be my solution to our stroller v. carrying issue. Since our DD is now hating to be restrained in any type of seat, I wind up holding her and pushing the stroller one-handed a lot lately. (I wind up running into a lot of people and furniture while doing this, too! ) We have no backpack carrier (lost that battle because of the cost, but this carrier is only $40) and while I do seem to have iron muscles in my left arm, carrying Em on my hip without any assistance for any extended period of time isn't fun. I looked it up on Amazon and it seems to have pretty good reviews, but if anyone has RL experience with it, I'd love to hear about it - good, bad or indifferent.

Oh - I've tried out carrying her in a hip sling but it didn't feel stable enough to me, and I wound up using my left arm to hold her close anyhow, so that didn't work for me. Em is 31.5 inches and 20.5 lbs right now too, if that makes a difference (the listing said the carrier goes to 40 lbs).

Thanks in advance for any feedback you can give me!


Cheers!
Heather

[MrsSmith]

Just wanted to move this back up to the top of the board...... still hoping someone out there has info about the Hip Hammock baby carrier....

Anyone?

Anyone?

Bueller?

Bueller?




Thanks!
Heather

[echaos]

Your too funny!

Bueller!!

I just googled the hip carrier and it looks pretty cool. I poled that other parents in my office and no one else has heard of it either.


I still think the Guatemalan wrap with Dutch pictures and English instructions is a much more versatile way to go (Just the opinion of this Canadian!). You can then carry the Emster on your hip, back or front, I've seen people use it as a baby leash (can you tell my feelings on that one! ) and it can double as a blanket / pillow too!

I hope that you do get some feedback on the actual product you are looking for !

[icunurse]

I have asked some people about the Hip Hammock and they have told me that it really starts to hurt your shoulder. I belong to a "babywearing" forum to learn more about the different types of carriers/slings/etc. You can also go to The Babywearer and they show different types of carriers. I just purchased a Maya Adjustable pouch to use for a hip carry when DS (20 lbs, 28 inches) gets fussy in a store and I love it. It folds up to about the size of a recieving blanket and is adjustable using zippers. I have found it to be very comfortable and have received a few compliments about how "ingenious" it is. Hope this helps.

[BrandyHagz]

Heather,

Have you considered look at the backpack style carriers in Resale shoppes?

I have a friend who owns a shop in town, and she usually sells them for about what the hip hammock is selling for.

You might look into it at least

[blueyes113]

Hi Heather,
I have a similar carrier from One Step Ahead and it bothered the muscle in my neck very quickly. I could only use it for about 10 minutes before I was in pain. They sit right on the muscle going from your neck to your shoulder. I stopped using it by the time my daughter was 1 yr old.
I actually made a Maya style wrap from a bed sheet (directions on their website) because my 2.5 yr old still loves to be carried. The wrap sits more on the outside of my shoulder as opposed to my neck and I can actually use it with my 30+ lb daughter for quite awhile. The wrap is very adjustable so you can make it as snug as you need.
Hope this helps some.

[DanniGirl]

I have one that I bought Nov. of last year before Nancy sold the rights to Playtex for mass marketing. I didn't like it at first, but now that my daughter is bigger 32" and 20lbs it really works better.

It does ride up wierd on your neck, but if you make sure to wear the waist belt snug most of the childs weight will rest on your hip and the strap won't pull on your neck.

I say go to TRU and try it out while in the store. You'll know within a few minutes of carrying your daughter if you will like it or not.

Danni

[michellemartin]

I didnt like it when I had Karma. It was a pain in the "neck" HA trying to be funny there... I just thought it was more of a pain to work with getting Karma all situated than in the frontpac carrier we also recieved as a gift. Although the babies look to me pretty uncomfortable in either...

[jkesmom2003]

I have a hip hammock, although not a playtex but I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Yes it is a little funky around the neck but if you cinch it really tight at the waist it's great - my son can't tolerate too much in the shopping carts, etc., but he does fine in the hammock. He likes the feeling of being held that the hip hammock provides. You know how it goes, when he's happy I'm happy. I keep mine in the car all the time!

[jodybird511]

I got a hip hammock type carrier at my shower from a good friend and I love it! When my baby was really little, she'd sleep in it. Now that she's a toddler, she rides on the hip. The company is also run by a stay-at-home mom, which is nice to support. The weight is really well distributed--it doesn't really bother my neck or shoulder. Check out www dot fussybutt dot com.

[rastachris]

I have a GF who has a hip hammock and she carries her 1-year old in it. I think she likes it. I also saw them at BRU, as well.

I have two slings - Over The Shoulder Baby Holders - and I love them. My son - who is almost 23 months and is 37" and about 37# - still likes to be carried in it and it is not uncomfortable for me to carry him. It's much easier to carry him in it than without it. My daughter, almost 8 months, also loves to be carried in it. When she was younger, she would sleep in it laying down and would take her longest naps while being carried in it. Now that she's older, I either have her on my hip or tummy to tummy. She still likes to snooze while slinging.

I know you were looking for more info on the Hip Hammock, but I thought I'd chime up about the slings, too.

Tina, momma to Aidan and Makena

[Happy2Bhere]

Hip Hammock
HI!
I have wanted a hip hammock for a few weeks, every since I first heard about them. I was watching them on Ebay, but they were kind of expensive, plus shipping. I found one at the pregnancystore.com for only $41.00 and free shipping. It just arrived yesterday- and I am so thrilled! It is adjustable, easy to wear, and my daughter loves it! I tried it on right away, and she snuggled right up to me. She can't tell there is really anything there, just feels secure like I am holding her. Tried it out garage saling today- it was awesome! She is only 20 pounds, and it goes up to 35, so I plan on enjoying it for at least a year!
I never did use a snuggly when she was little. For the next one, I will use one earlier, and of course have the hip hammock for when she is 15 pounds or more.
Cool thread! :-)
Melissa

[6babes]

I am a big fan of babywearing and have owned many different types of slings and carriers. I have found many of them to be uncomfortable and hurt my shoulders. I finally found this website and made my own. I made it from 5 yards of material that cost me less than 10.00. It is extremely comfortable and I can wear either my 17 lb baby or my 26 lb toddlers all day and not even feel it. The website shows you different ways to wrap it. Here's the link:

http://www.mamatoto.org/PortalVBVS/DesktopDefault.aspx