hip carry...help!

[griciai]

I'm always carrying my 9 1/2 month old (20lb) son around on my hip. When we go out (shopping, for example), I have a Moby and a Hotsling.

I am likely to soon become a stay at home mom, and, relatively speaking, a single parent (my DH works 80+hrs/wk). I am going to need to get stuff done around the house, and at this point I mostly do it with DS on my hip, holding him with one hand (or I give him to my Mom, who's currently living with us and caring for the kids while we work).

DS loves the moby front facing out, but it seems to take me forever to wrap it right. I love the hotsling, but he hates it (though my 3 yr old DD loves it and fits in it just fine...).

I feel like I need something else. I've looked at the Ellaroo Mei Hip, the Ergo, the Kozy, the Scootababy....

HELP!

Any input?....
Thanks!:

[Kiara.I]

The Scootababy is only a hip carrier. If you are going to be wearing him for long periods of time, I would recommend a 2-shoulder carrier that you can put him on your back in (unless you're wearing the 3-yo on your back.)

So either the Ergo or the Kozy would probably be good choices. Or a woven wrap, if you're fairly happy with wrapping. Your best bet is to find a local babywearing group and try things on, before you buy them. Is there one in your area?

[tinyblackdot]

I would suggest a SSC or a FBT of some sort. And you might want to go ahead and get a toddler size sice he is already 30lbs. Maybe a Olives and Applesauce, or a dream carrier toddler.....or a Kanga-X.

[griciai]

Thank you for the replies - I WISH I had a local babywearing group to try before I buy... I can always return the carrier if it doesn't fit, I guess.

My babe doesn't seem big on back wearing - I think I still have to stick with hip carry. Maybe the Scootababy?

Any input on the Kozy as far as hip wearing? That one could be switched to back wearing, too, right?

Thank you so much!
:

[Ruthie's momma]

Have you tried wearing DS on the back of your hip, in the Hotslings? Place DS in the sling as you would for a regular hip carry. Then, try shifting him around so that he is riding on the back of your hip (behind your arm)...think koala bear style.... As DD has gotten older, this has become my favorite way of wearing her both at home and while out. Plus, she loves it too!

[Quirky]

Personally I find MTs such as the Kozy very cumbersome for hip carries, much as I like them otherwise. I'd only use a MT for a front or back carry.

If you definitely want a hip carry, I'd go for the Scootababy. It may be a one-trick pony but it does that one trick better than any other hip carrier on the market, IME.

If you think you would mainly want to do back carries, I agree that a soft structured carrier such as one of the ones recommended above would be your best bet.

IME it's kind of either-or -- even though some SSCs can do hip carries, they're not that comfortable and often awkward. What makes a great backpack style carrier is the opposite of what makes a great hip carrier and vice-versa in terms of shoulder straps.