The Hippychick Hipseat review

One day, Minnie insists on walking everywhere or attempting to run. The next she’ll seem determined to take the easy route, ideally being carried – ‘up please Mummy’.

Woman carrying a young child on a Hippychick hipseat - my hipseat review

And much as I love a good cuddle as we try to get from A to B, she’s now nearly two… and my back has taken a lot of punishment already over the past couple of years, without toting a toddler long distances.

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Of course there’s always the buggy and baby carrier. But sometimes, it’s just not practical to take a buggy or spend five minutes manoeuvring her into a carrier, for a two minute ride. What I need is another quick fix – something, in fact, just like the Hippychick Hipseat, which I was sent for review.

The Hippychick Hipseat review

Designed to let you carry babies and toddlers aged six months and over on your hip without straining your back, it works like a mini shelf.

Instead of jutting your own hip out, twisting round and arching your back slightly as you carry them, you can stand up straight, have your lower back supported and they’re still carried.

It’s won accolades from health professionals… so what’s the reality?

Hipseat review: The good

After being left feeling that I need an engineering degree to work some baby paraphernalia, this is impossibly easy – simply wrap the belt around, Velcro it shut then close the clips. You can shuffle the shelf to the left hip, if that’s most comfortable.

No faffing, it’s quick and straightforward when a wailing voice demands to be picked up and being able to adjust it easily makes it comfortable too. That also means it can be worn by any number of people without having to adjust 29 different straps.

And most importantly, I could feel the difference for my back. I’ve used it on a couple of days out, including the Natural History Museum mammoth exhibition when I’d left the buggy in the cloakroom and Minnie alternated between running around to explore and wanting a break.

We also took it to the Rare Breeds Centre in Kent along with the buggy – as Minnie wasn’t feeling well, she wanted to snuggle up but the height also meant she could see into hutches more easily than from the pushchair.

The material seems very hard-wearing and it’s machine washable (there’s a zip to remove the seat) which is pretty vital.

Hipseat review: The not so good

It took Minnie a little while to get used to sitting on it with no real back support, so it’s worth testing out at home first, especially if you have a neophobic toddler. As she seemed less inclined (or able, perhaps) to hold on to me, I still needed one arm to steady her which meant those muscles still got pretty tired.

And while it’s compact, it (understandably) won’t pack down flat so you’re stuck carrying or wearing it when your toddler decides to walk again. It does come with its own carry bag or I clipped it onto the change bag, but I found it works best for short periods – such as the exhibition – when I could stash it under the buggy before and after.

Otherwise, you look faintly like you’re wearing a bum bag. The previous Liberty print version is no longer stocked, but there are some bright colours including pink and teal so you might be happier to show that off than the basic black option though.

You also need to make sure it’s on properly if you are using it for longer to ensure you’ve got the right support. I managed to secure it around my hips rather than my waist on one occasion (in my defence, it had been a very sleepless night) and wondered why my back didn’t feel so comfortable – that’s obviously user error rather than a design flaw, but there’s nothing to stop you putting it on that way accidentally.

Hippychick Hipseat review: The verdict

Short and sweet, the verdict is that this is a great product – but it probably depends on your lifestyle and child as to whether you need it. Toddlers who hate buggies but get quickly tired will find this a lifesaver (as will their parents), those who can rely on a pushchair or boundless two-year-old energy might not.

If you’re planning to head to any summer festivals, I suspect it would be useful there, in the same way as our days out.

I’d consider taking it on our travels too, suitcase space permitting, especially if I knew there would be places where a buggy/carrier wouldn’t work. It certainly beats carrying a jetlagged toddler along endless airport corridors, although I think a baby carrier would still be better for younger kids.

2019 UPDATE: I was still using this in airports when she was four (maximum recommended weight is 36kg). By then, she was too old for us to bother packing the buggy simply to get between gates, this meant I could carry a sleepy, jetlagged, small person and the hand luggage more easily. In fact, she fell asleep sitting on it at one stage. And that in itself is worth good money!

With its original price tag of £40, I wasn’t quite convinced it would be a travel essential for us – for half the price, I’d snap it up as a back-up, while it’s a bargain if you’ll use it a few times a week or for more than one child.

2019 update: Although the RRP is the same, you can now find it more cheaply elsewhere than when I first reviewed it, so I’d definitely recommend this, especially if you’ve got a petite toddler who won’t grow out of it fast.

And if you do have a weak back, it’s certainly a lot cheaper than even one session with a specialist…

Hipseat review: Need to know

Available in seven colours from Hippychick.com priced from 39.95, and also available on Amazon.

Disclosure: I was sent a Hippychick Hipseat for the purposes of review. All opinions remain my own.

Images courtesy of Hippychick

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2 Comments

  1. Ooh I’m intrigued by this. Not least because I have real fears about baby carrying once the little one starts getting heavier. I had 6 months off work after 2 slipped discs and although that was a good few years ago it’s never been the same. I’m still worried about my back as I get nearer to the last trimester of pregnancy, though touch wood, I’ve been good so far. And by the way – I actually do have an engineering degree and I’m still terrified about being able to “work” all the baby stuff! 🙂

    1. I definitely think it’s wise to be careful, especially if you’ve had problems before as it’s so easy to strain – although I’m guessing you’ll know more about protecting it too. I swore by my baby carrier at the beginning (once she was big enough) as otherwise she would usually only nap in my arms plus it’s great for taking the stress off your back. But this sounds perfect for you when the baby’s older.

      And I have successfully conquered every piece of paraphernalia so far without the degree (even if one Gracco travel cot nearly reduced me to tears) so you’ll be fine 😀

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