Hipseat vs Baby Carrier: Benefits, Differences & Which is Better

When it comes to babies, there’s no shortage of products out there meant to make everyone’s lives easier. But with so many options available for different activities like eating, sleeping, dressing, and carrying, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

In the traditional sense of babywearing — a hands-free way for parents or caregivers to literally wear their baby so their hands and arms are free — there are slings, wraps, and backpacks galore to choose from, each suited for different lifestyles and stages of life. Once your baby is around 4-6 months old and has total neck and head control, hipseats are a fabulous choice for easy and uncomplicated baby wearing, albeit not totally hands free.

It’s a lot to take in, but we’re here to help you break it down:

Hipseat vs baby carrier — what’s the difference?   

A hipseat is a simple seat for your baby to sit on that evenly distributes their weight, so you can carry them longer and more comfortably. Hipseats take the pressure off of your back, arms and shoulders by fastening just above your hips, allowing your hips and legs to do most of the work. Most hipseats require that you have one arm wrapped around baby at all times, so they’re not totally hands-free, but they still offer the benefit of skin to skin contact while keeping your baby close against your body.

A baby carrier is more of a full support, baby-wearing device that comes in various forms – from slings to wraps to more structured material. Carriers work great for parents who want to be “attached” to their babies without having to use their hands and arms to hold them constantly. They also may help soothe a baby who is fussy or going through a growth spurt. Tons of parents swear by babywearing when their baby is younger, before they become more independent and curious about the world around them; that’s when they can start using a hipseat. 

Benefits of a hipseat carrier

• Takes pressure off your back and shoulders
• Puts your baby’s hips in the pediatric-recommended “M” position — a natural position for baby which keeps their knees slightly higher than their tush while supporting their thighs
• Allows for close contact with baby without complicated straps or instructions
• Acts as a shelf for feeding and nursing in infancy
• Promotes independence in toddlerhood

Benefits of a baby carrier

• Hands-free mobility
• Promotes bonding/skin to skin contact
• Encourages secure attachment between baby and caregiver
• Mimics the womb in early infancy

Is a hipseat carrier better than a baby carrier?

Really, it depends on your lifestyle and your baby’s stage of life. A hipseat carrier is great for those with older babies who want up, down, and back up again, as they take pressure off your back and arms and provide less stress on your upper body. A traditional baby carrier is great for hands-free baby wearing in those early months of infancy and growth.

Is a hip seat good for a baby?

Not only is a hip seat good for baby, it’s good for those who care for baby! The Tushbaby hip seat sits above your hips so you can carry your baby more comfortably and with less hassle — and since it doubles as a fanny pack, everything you need is nearby and easily accessible, all without killing your back.

Tushbaby puts your baby’s hips in the pediatric-recommended “M” position – a natural position for your baby which keeps their knees slightly higher than their tush while supporting their thighs.

(Also Read: Is Hip Seat Good for Baby?)

When do you use a Hipseat carrier?

Once your child can hold their head and neck up — at around 4-6 months —  a hipseat carrier is the perfect place for them to hang out while you hold on. Until then, the hipseat can be used as breastfeeding support starting from infancy.