Hip carriers as a back-friendly carrying aid: good for parents’ and children’s backs

As all parents know, carrying babies or toddlers can put a lot of strain on your back. But of course children often want to be held by their mum or dad. So what should you do if the little ones want to be carried for a little bit every now and then? A hip carrier is the perfect solution for taking some of the strain off of parents’ backs in daily life and ensuring that children are seated ergonomically. Here you will learn what a hip carrier can do and how to recognise good quality.

What is a hip carrier?

A hip carrier is a firm seat that you can use to carry toddlers and babies on your hip or in front of your stomach. Some models have a back panel that allows you to carry them on your back too.
While normal baby carriers are designed for slightly longer periods of wear, the hip carrier is ideal for in-between times. It is ideal for when children are crawling or walking around, exploring the world, but occasionally seeking the security of their parents’ arms. The child can be positioned in the hip carrier and be put down again in a matter of seconds too. This makes a hip carrier a perfect accessory for everyday life for several years.

Carrying babies: why a baby carrier is important

Even if a child initially weighs just a few kilograms, the weight will quickly become a strain on your back. If you simply hold your baby or toddler in your arms, their spine will lose its straight, upright position and will curve to the side or curve forward. Pain is inevitable. Carrying aids are of the utmost importance when it comes to preventing this and taking the strain off of your back.

A good carrier system is also crucial for the child’s back, to ensure that babies and toddlers are carried in the squatting straddle position as often as possible. This position allows the back and hips to develop healthily.
A hip carrier is very easy to use: you fasten it around your waist with the sturdy strap and then place the child in it. If you use a carrier with a back panel, you’ll even have your hands free. Without the back panel, you can hold the child in the carrier and put them down again at any time to play and run around.

For children, the carrier should be both comfortable and ergonomic. Most importantly, it must enable a healthy spread-squat position and it must be easy to position the child safely in the hip carrier. The leg area must be designed to prevent pressure points arising. The materials must also make it possible to sit comfortably.

To assist you in finding the model that is right for you when buying a hip carrier, we have put together a detailed checklist of quality criteria. You will also find a number of products that have earned the coveted AGR seal of approval.