I was given a Hippychick Hipseat for my third child, Martha, now 22 months, and immediately regretted not having had one for the previous two. It’s a really useful multi-purpose carrier for babies and toddlers aged 6 to 36 months.
Essentially, it’s a belt with a padded seat for the child to sit on. You wear it round your hips, and it’s very quick to take on and off – it fastens with Velcro and a buckle. The idea is that it stops you having to stick your hip out to balance a child on, which twists your spine in the process. It leaves you fairly hands-free, but you can’t completely let go, especially with a younger baby, as there’s nothing actually holding the child onto the seat. It comes in four colours that are all suitable for a boy or girl, and it’s stylish in a functional kind of way.
The Hipseat is the only one of its kind and was developed by a mum who spotted a gap in the market. Hipseats first went on sale 10 years ago, and since then Hippychick has sold over 100,000 of them.
What we love
It’s great for small babies and toddlers who either can’t walk at all or can’t walk far. My daughter Martha much preferred it to a traditional style baby carrier – she seemed to feel more comfortable on it.
I found it was most useful when she had just started toddling. She would walk for a bit, and then I could scoop her up and put her back on the Hipseat when she got tired. It’s great for nipping out to the shops or visits to places where a buggy would be awkward, or for travelling on aeroplanes or public transport.
If Martha’s having a day when she wants to be carried a lot, I can put her on the seat while I’m doing the chores, such as the washing-up. She loves it because she’s up at my level and we can chat and she feels involved in what’s going on.
What to watch out for
My main issue with the seat is that it’s quite expensive – the current price is £36.70. On the other hand, it is extremely well made and will last for several children. Second-hand Hipseats have a good re-sale value, too, so I’m hoping to get some of my money back by selling it on when I have finished with it!
Some mums say that the seat is uncomfortable to wear and makes them sweaty. I haven’t had that problem, but Martha is really heavy and I can only carry her for short distances, even on the Hipseat. I certainly couldn’t tackle a long country walk. I can also imagine that if your baby is a real wriggler it might be difficult to hold them on.
Who is the Hippychick Hipseat best for?
Mums who travel or use public transport often.
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MadeForMums verdict
The Hippychick Hipseat is a great product. It’s both versatile and portable and it’s lovely to be able to carry your baby comfortably and have them up close to you – but it is pricey.
