The Best Hip Carriers to Keep Your Velcro Baby Close

The stylish Tushbaby Hip Seat Carrier is our best overall pick because it’s not only comfortable and supportive to use, it’s packed with convenient features and also super versatile. Our senior commerce editor, Latifah Miles, is also a big fan of the Tushbaby hip carrier—she has shared how it fits seamlessly into her life as a mom of a one-year-old baby who loves to be held. 

It was also a winner in our best baby products survey; a ton of parents said it was one of the best baby products they registered for and something they didn’t expect to love so much. “I didn’t understand why I would use it vs any other carrier, but it’s so easy to put it on and quickly pick baby up and set him down without getting in the full carrier. And I love the different carry positions I can use it for!” one Babylist parent wrote in. Another responded, “I thought it would be useful, but it really has become a regular part of our lives, especially [during] the summer and outdoors. As our baby gets heavier and squirmier, it has been a lifesaver for my back and is more comfortable for me and baby alike.”

Though lightweight (just under a pound), it provides a sturdy lift that takes some of the weight off of your arms when holding your baby or toddler. It fits comfortably around the waist and the pad that baby sits on has a non-slip material to help keep them in place, though you will still need to have one arm around your little one at all times—hip carriers are not hands-free. One Babylist parent shared in our survey responses, “My baby loves the Tushbaby and all the ways he can sit on it, without having to completely undo all of the straps to switch positions.” 

What about all of those convenient and versatile features I mentioned? Thanks to the built-in storage, the whole thing acts as sort of a fanny pack in which you can store essentials. One Babylist parent shared in our survey, “[It] was surprisingly more convenient than expected. Eliminated needing to pull out a stroller and/or the Ergobaby carrier. And it doubled as a small purse.” 

We also love how long you can use the Tushbaby. You can use it as a hip carrier from six months to 36 months (or 45 lbs), but you can use it with infants earlier than that as a nursing support pillow. Tushbaby also makes a Snug attachment (sold separately) that lets you convert the hip carrier into a traditional baby carrier, which can be used with babies over 12 lbs. This allows you to hands-free carry either face-to-face or forward-face carry to give baby a view. The attachment folds up and stores right in the Tushbaby hip seat. It also looks chic—coming in a bunch of fun colors and materials, from faux leather to velvet.

Like most things in life, there are a few things people say could be better. Some parents mentioned the waistband can dig into their waist, particularly for those with smaller frames. One Babylist parent shared, “If you have a small frame like me, the carrier digs into your ribs a bit when you’re wearing baby. It’s not terribly uncomfortable, but it is certainly bothersome.” Tushbaby says to make sure you position it correctly—around your true waist as opposed to your hips—for the most comfortable wear. The strap only fits waists between 23-44 inches, but they make a waistband extender if you need a little more room (up to 24 more inches). Since the belt is so wide and thick, it’s not really breathable—some parents report that they get warm while using it to carry their baby.

Additional Specs

• Age and weight limit: 6-36 months, up to 45 lbs; from birth as nursing support

• Waist range: 23”-44” (24” extender sold separately)

At just under $40, the Regalo Hip Carrier is an affordable pick for parents looking for a straightforward, no-fuss hip carrier for their Velcro babies. It’s safe to use with babies who are able to sit unassisted and are at least six months old. The wide waistband offers a snug fit that’ll support your back. There aren’t a bunch of bells and whistles like some of the other hip carriers on the list (aside from a small pocket on the band), but we sort of love the simple, straightforward design—it makes it super easy to tote around and use. 

My favorite part of this hip carrier is the grippy material on the seat. It reminds me of the bottom of no-slip socks and helps to keep baby in place. There’s one pocket on the band, though it’s not big enough to store much beyond your keys and maybe a pacifier. (I have an iPhone Pro Max 13 and could not fit it in the pocket.)

Parents' biggest gripe about the Regalo is that the 25 lbs weight limit for babies is relatively low compared to other hip carriers. I also think the seat is smaller overall than the others on this list. Some also say the strap is not size-inclusive on both ends of the spectrum. One parent shared that it was too big on the smallest setting for their waist—about 27 inches—and parents with a larger frame found it didn’t extend enough (though you can buy an extender separately). It’s made of a polyester material that is super soft but doesn’t feel like the best quality. It’s also not machine washable—it’s spot-clean only.

Additional Specs

• Age and weight limit: 6-36 months, 15-25 lbs

• Waist range: 32-48” (17” extender sold separately)

Ergobaby makes some of our favorite baby carriers, and this 2-in-1 hip seat version doesn’t disappoint. Like the Tushbaby, the Ergobaby Alta also converts to a baby carrier, but what sets it apart is that the carrier attachment actually comes with the hip seat, making the Alta ultra-versatile. It’s safe to use with the attachment from 12 lbs or four months of age up to 45 lbs. (Note: Ergo also makes the Lift hip seat, which is almost identical to the Alta, just without the carrier feature. We included the Alta because it offers more bang for your buck since you can use it longer.)

Between the two configurations, you can use it in four different ways:

• Infant mode allows you to use the hip seat to carry your baby in your arms across your body.

• With the baby carrier piece attached, the Alta works for babies four months and up for face-in carrying and forward-face or back carry from six months and up.

• You can use the hip carrier alone with babies six months and up.

That versatility also means it comes in handy for parents who have a baby and a toddler. “My baby [who is] currently 6 months, loves this carrier! I also use the hip seat to [carry] my two-year-old,” another Babylist parent said. We also love that it’s certified “Hip Healthy” by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, meaning it allows baby to sit in the “M” position while evenly distributing weight to save your back. I also liked built-in storage pockets that allow you to stash essentials like your phone or keys. Parents love the wide strap, mentioning how secure it is without feeling like they need to hold the carrier and the baby.  

It features the same soft, breathable mesh material as Ergobaby’s Omni Breeze carrier—a Babylist parent and editor fave—which makes it nice for carrying babies during warmer weather. Its one-buckle waistband makes it a breeze (pun intended) to put on and take off—ideal for frequent up-and-down moments with your little one. The soft, breathable mesh carrier attachment secures to the front of the hip seat with a zipper and two buttons, making it super secure. And the cushioned shoulder straps are really comfortable. It even features a privacy hood like Ergobaby’s other carriers (a piece of fabric that protects baby from the sun and prying eyes). “I use the hip seat to support my baby while breastfeeding on the go and I also love to use it for naps on the go with the sun canopy,” one Babylist parent shared.

Baby carriers can get dirty after a while, especially when you’re toting a toddler between their playing and exploring. We love that the whole thing is machine washable and dryer-friendly (after you remove the foam insert from the hip seat part). 

Some parents mention that the seat is a bit bulky in baby carrier mode when forward-face carrying. It’s also on the pricier end for a hip carrier if you don’t think you’ll use the carrier attachment much. 

While the carrier part is super securely attached, some parents say that makes it tricky to remove and put on. One Babylist parent shared, “My only complaints are the pocket is hard to access and the zipper is a little tricky to get the upper part on/off. But it’s a purchase I do not regret one bit!” I also personally found it hard to remove the attachment and then put it back on. I was able to do it with some effort but it took a few minutes mostly because of the way the buttons are designed. 

Additional Specs

• Age and weight limits: 6-48 months, 17-45 lbs

• Waist range: 25-54”

The Momcozy Hip Seat is here to give your back a break. With a strap wider than the other hip carriers on this list, it’s designed to be super-supportive for the lower back area (aka lumbar) when carrying your baby or toddler. 

According to reviews, parents say the wide belt is also C-Section friendly—once you’re healed, of course. It has a little bit of extra padding across the part of the belt where the seat is. Speaking of the belt, it’s fully covered in strong Velcro, giving it that sort of snug belly-band feel. For extra security and stay-in-place power, the buckle also features a sliding tab that locks to prevent any accidental unbuckling. I also love this fun leopard print, though it does come in neutrals like black and gray.

The Momcozy hip carrier supports four ways to carry your baby: cradle (helpful for feeding on the go), face-to-face, and forward-facing on the front of your body or to the side in a hip-carrying position. And as with all hip carriers, you will need to keep one arm around your baby at all times. As a hip seat, it’s suitable for babies at least six months to 36 months or 45 lbs. Momcozy also says you can use it as a nursing support pillow from birth. 

The seat itself is very similar to the Tushbaby in its construction. The seat is comfy and roomy enough to ensure baby’s hips are in the proper position and evenly distribute their weight. It has a slightly textured, faux-leather-like material that provides a bit of grip to prevent baby from sliding around. Like the Tushbaby, it has plenty of storage for your on-the-go essentials, perfect for quick errands or long walks. And it’s stylish enough that you won’t mind wearing it everywhere. We also like that it comes in two size options to accommodate most body types. The regular (M) size fits waists 27-45 inches and the plus (L) fits 40-55 inches. 

The biggest gripe parents shared about this carrier was that it gets a bit hot and sweaty under the belt, thanks to the width and all that Velcro. The plastic insert, though it provides helpful support, makes it a bit bulky and does not fold up small enough to throw in most diaper bags. 

Additional Specs

• Age and weight limits: Up to 36 months or 45 lbs

• Waist range: Regular (M) fits waists 27-45 inches and Plus (L) 40-55 inches