Walking Rock Farm's Hip baby Child Carrier -- Average at best
Written: Oct 09 '06
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Pros: Quality construction, husband liked it, nice looking carrier
Cons: Hurt my back, expensive, baby didn't like it, etc.
The Bottom Line: If you're looking for a child carrier, I would suggest doing a little more legwork and bypassing Walking Rock Farm's Hip Baby Child Carrier.
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| gatorgirlie's Full Review: Hip Baby |
I'm starting to become a child carrier connoisseur, testing and trying out a number of different carriers in my search to find the best. I've already reviewed my Baby Bjorn and New Native carriers and now I will be testing out the Walking Rock Farm's Hip baby child carrier. I'm starting to get worried because my Bjorn is only recommended to a maximum weight of 24 lbs and Aidan is up at 20. That means I need something that will pick up where the Bjorn leaves off. I'm very picky about the baby carrier I use and have a few strict requirements that it must meet before I consider it a "good buy." It must be easy to use, the instructions must be clear, it has to be able to be used by both my husband and I and last, but certainly not least, it MUST NOT hurt my back, shoulders or neck. You see, I have scoliosis -- essentially curvature of the spine -- so I don't want anything that will cause me any more pain.
So, how does Hip Baby stack up?
Basic Product Information
The Hip Baby carrier is manufactured by Walking Rock Farm -- a small, up-and-coming company found on the internet. At this current time, you can only find these carriers at their website: http://www.walkingrockfarm.com. They have several different types of carriers, ranging in price from $72 to $84 with an additional $5.75 shipping. The variety I'm testing is the Cooler II variety, which retails for $76. The colors are gray and black and it has a special breathable fabric shell with an "air flow lining" that wicks away moisture -- sounds great for sunny, hot Florida! It comes in three sizes -- small, medium and large... but I must say that the sizing is a little odd (more on that later).
When they ship it to you it comes in a regular plastic envelope with a small sheet of instructions.
Ok, the good
Quality and Attractiveness
When I first took this carrier out of the package it just oozed quality construction. While the exterior is a little rough, the interior is nice and soft. The shoulder pad is nicely thick and padded. I am very impressed with the construction of this carrier. Many name brands don't make a baby carrier at this level of construction, so that's saying a lot for Walking Rock Farm. It's also a very handsome carrier. The gray/black color combination is sharp-looking, and I'm sure it would garner a lot of attention if worn in a mall or other public place. I feel the colors would be suitable for a girl as well as a boy, though they do have other colors (which look just as sharp) for those wanting something more "feminine." Also, that "air flow lining" really does work. My son's back stays nice and dry while in this carrier... and the fabric itself is never soaked. Now the same can't be said for my shirt and my son's chest... but that's another section.
Versatility
Another thing I like about this carrier is its versatility. You can wear it on your hip, back or front, which many carriers cannot claim. My Bjorn can only be worn in the front, and many hip carriers (like those by Playtex) can only stay on the hip. Plus it can be worn by a wide range of people (the medium fits waists from 28 inches up to 42) and the sizes overlap a lot, so you'll most likely be able to find one that will fit both you and your husband.
Baby's Range of vision
I like the fact that my son can look both in front and in back when I'm carrying him. Sometimes I wonder if he gets bored in my Bjorn, just being able to look in front and to the sides. In the Hip Baby, he has a full range of vision and you don't have something bulky and unwieldy strapped to you.
My husband liked it
One thing he liked is that the baby weight goes all the way up to 33 lbs (or 45), so it can be used for a long time. He didn't experience any pain but said he could understand why I felt it. It pulled his right shoulder down but claimed it wasn't that bad -- my son's weight wasn't heavy enough to bother him. He did, however, let me know that his right arm was progressively getting numb the longer he wore it. He still liked the Bjorn better, but he definitely saw that this one was easier for him to wear and get things done (like washing the dishes) at the same time.
He also thinks it's easier to remove than the Bjorn, and I would have to agree... with the exception of the whole needing to sit down deal.
The mediocre and not-so-good
So how about those instructions
Hmmmm.... This is the first place I had some problems. The instructions are essentially a one-sided, 16 " X 5" sheet of folded paper. It provides one little section on how to use the carrier and very little else. The "how to use" instructions are clear enough until you get down to the "fitting the shoulder pad" section which advises you that (in reference to positioning the shoulder pad), you should "...Use the back slide to correctly position the pad." Well, surprise folks... the back slide it's referring to is ON THE BACK OF THE CARRIER. I don't know about you, but I'm not limber enough to reach the back slide to adjust it. Even in the picture it has someone else's hands pointing to the "slide." Unfortunately, you really can't adjust the back slide when the carrier is off because you don't have the weight of your child to create a realistic enough example. Thus, if you want to adjust the shoulder pads you must either have someone with you or you must be willing to repeatedly take the carrier on and off in the search for the perfect shoulder pad fit. Besides that, l felt the pictures that accompanied the instructions were a little small.
While the pamphlet does include safety warnings (don't run, don't carry baby when using toxic chemicals, periodically inspect for wear, etc), it is missing a few crucial pieces of information. The most obvious ones are instructions or advice on wearing the carrier in any position other than on your left hip. The Hip Baby claims to be able to be worn on the hips, back and front... so where is that information? I'm assuming that you just start out by using it on your left hip and then you move it to the position you want it to be in, but it would be nice if the instructions included that advice. In addition, there was a little "thank you for testing this" card that came with my package that said something about having to wear it backwards if you are using it on your right hip. Apparently, and this is something that isn't mentioned AT ALL on the website or in the pamphlet, if you try to use it on your right hip the shoulder pad lock isn't in front... so you actually have to turn the carrier inside out to wear it on your right hip. THAT certainly should be mentioned somewhere. It's also lacking any sort of cleaning instructions in the actual pamphlet itself, and online... the only place you can find cleaning instructions is on the actual carrier. Personally, I want my manual to be all-encompassing when it comes to information about the product I'm using. I don't want to have to search on the product, online or anywhere else to find that information.
One final complaint about the instructions is the slight difference between the weight limits listed in the pamphlet and on the website. The website states "6 months to 45 lbs" while the pamphlet reads "5 to 36 months/33 lbs." 12 lbs is a BIG differential, so which one is correct? Can it hold 33 lbs or does it go up to 45? I would have to say your child should have EXCELLENT neck control before you use this because it does bounce around a lot, but that's a personal judgement call... the earliest age is when you feel your child can comfortably take the bouncing around that will occur in this carrier.
My son, the amazing bobblehead boy
Just to elaborate on something I just said, my son bounces around in this like nothing I've ever seen. The issue is the fact that it's not a firm carrier -- my son just kind of slumps in the carrier, so his head bobbles every time I take a step. This doesn't happen in my Bjorn so it caught me off guard when it happened in this one. Honestly, I don't think there's anything you can do about it since it has to do with the carrier's fundamental design. If you are a bouncy walker, though, I'd be a little careful.
Can use on the back and front???
Earlier I mentioned the only way I could think to wear your baby on the back or front -- starting out by putting him in on your hip and then moving him. Honestly, I didn't feel comfortable moving him at all. I tried to position him on my back, but I really couldn't accomplish it by myself. I felt nervous that he would fall out, plus he didn't like the fact that his face was squished against my back. If he could look out it would be one thing, but he has to be facing inwards to keep the stability and safety of the carrier paramount. If you are wearing the baby on your back, I feel you absolutely need someone else's help... which I don't have during the day (when I wear the carrier)... so it makes that feature a little worthless. In addition, while moving him into the front position is easier... Aidan hated it. Why? Because his face was smushed against my chest. Again, if he could face outwards... it wouldn't be so bad... but with him facing my chest he just completely loses it.
Ease of Use and Sizing
This thing is pretty easy to put on with the exception that the instructions claim you have to be sitting to put your child in it. The reason being that they want your child situated in the seat BEFORE you put the shoulder strap over your shoulders. I'm not quite sure WHY things have to be done this way, but that's what the instructions call for. Have you ever tried to have a squirming, angry little 10 month old sit on your leg for longer than .2 seconds? Between the pushing and shoving, not to mention the screaming, I have to believe it's easier to ignore the instructions and put it on standing. However, I was completely wrong. I tried to do it standing and it failed miserably. I simply couldn't get him situated in the seat correctly; he kept on sliding out one of the leg holes. While I do have problems getting Aidan in the carrier using the instructions (he does seem to slide around a little bit), it was impossible while standing. See that kids, safety instructions are there for a reason. I will bring up this simple fact -- sometimes there isn't a chair around. One of the things I love about my Bjorn is that it's a one-woman operation. I can put the Bjorn on, put Aidan in it and adjust the straps without needing to sit down, bend over or have someone else help me. The Hip Baby cannot do these things. What if you're hiking and your child wants to be put in the carrier? This isn't a stupid situation, my son and I walk trails through woods/parks virtually every week. Sometimes I'll be carrying him in my arms, get tired and want to use the carrier... so what would I do in that circumstance? Sit down on the dirt trail? Another example of this is when I tried it at a Wal-Mart. I don't own a minivan, just a Maxima... so trying to get the Hip Baby situated while holding Aidan in place and sitting on the driver's seat was A LOT of work.
I also have to believe that there is also an easier way to adjust the shoulder strap because the strap adjuster is on your back... but I haven't found it yet. The shoulder continues to slide all the way to my neck, chaffing it. No matter how many times I readjust, it just keeps sliding like it's being pulled into a black hole or something... and no, for all of you smarty-pants out there, that isn't the shoulder that's naturally curved that way (one of the characteristics of scoliosis is that one hip and shoulder slope downwards, you look like you're lopsided). My right shoulder is the one that is sloping down because of the curve in my spine, so it's odd that it keeps creeping towards my neck.
In addition, while I completely fit the requirements for a medium (a waist or hip size of at least 28" and no more than 54") it doesn't seem to fit as well as I'd like. The waist cinches just fine, but I have a problem with my son hanging very low. He hangs down below my hips, no matter how much I tighten the shoulder lock. The highest his head will come to is to the middle of my chest (nicer than saying boobs, isn't it?). The pictures show moms being able to rest their heads on their child's head, and that simply can't happen for me.
One more thing, is the Hip Baby carrier designed so that the waist straps are on backwards? I mean the clip locks upside down and the straps to tighten are on the inside of the belt... making it harder than usual to tighten it while wearing the carrier. I thought this was really, really weird... and swear that I might be doing something wrong, but I know I'm not since the straps get twisted if I try any other way.
It's getting hot in here... so take off all your diapers...
Like I said earlier, this carrier did a bang up job when it comes to keeping Aidan dry. When I went for our walk it was 2 pm and about 90 degrees outside. Aidan wasn't wearing a onesie because they usually make him sweat. Once I got home and took the carrier off, I expected the back of it to be soaked... but it wasn't. I was very impressed by that... however, both his stomach and my shirt was soaked because his stomach and chest are pressed against me. My son has sensitive skin already, so the constant rubbing against me gave him a pretty nice rash. I certainly wouldn't recommend both you and baby using this without a shirt (ie: at the beach), because the skin rubbing against skin action would probably give you a BOTH a good rash. I tried it again the next morning, when it was around 70 degrees outside AND I also wore it while shopping at a Wal-Mart -- the same thing happened. He didn't get that bad of a rash, but both of us were soaked where he was rubbing against me.
Oh my neck... oh my back... oh my neck and my back...
Maybe I'm pampered, spoiled even. Maybe I have gotten so used to the fact that my Baby Bjorn causes absolutely no back/neck/shoulder pain that I just can't understand when a company makes a carrier that does. They claim that the waist belt puts all the pressure on your hips, but I heartily disagree. The vast majority of the pressure (from a 20 lb baby boy) went square on my right shoulder. Have you ever carried a 20 lb bag through an airport with a strap on your shoulder? You remember how, after a few minutes, you'd need to stop and switch the strap to the OTHER shoulder because it hurt? You remember how, even an hour after you stopped carrying the bag, your shoulder and neck muscles still hurt from the weight of the bag? That's exactly how this child carrier feels. The only bad thing is that you can't stop every few minutes to switch to the other shoulder -- you must suffer. The first time I used it, I took it on on the half-mile walk that Aidan and I take every morning... and about halfway through I was tilting to one side, wishing I was home so I could take the darned thing off. I tried adjusting the strap and adjusting where Aidan was sitting... but nothing helped. I tried it again the next morning, and again the same thing happened. The trip to Wal-Mart provided the same results. I actually did a bit of research on this style of carrier and found a few other websites that sell products similar to this one and they have some disclaimers advising you to not wear it longer than an hour or two, to switch shoulders often and take many breaks. Personally, that's a lot of effort to go through for a carrier... especially when it's so hard to "switch shoulders." You have to find a bench, sit down, take the baby out, take the carrier off, turn the carrier inside out, strap the carrier back on, put the baby back in the carrier and fit it back over your other shoulder. Now tell me... are YOU going to want to do that every 10 minutes or so to relieve the pressure and pain in your neck/shoulder? Um, no.
Finally... I'm sorry, but my son doesn't really like this thing
When I strap on my Baby Bjorn, Aidan's face lights up. I'm dead freakin serious. He knows it means we're going for a walk or a hike and he will stop whatever he's doing to rush over to me. From the first time I set him on my knee while putting on the Hip Baby, he screamed... he struggled... and when I finally stood up... he held on for dear life. While I feel he is pretty safe inside this thing, apparently he doesn't. Every single time I've put him in this carrier, my son has had a vice grip on my shirt and my left arm. I'm not sure he finds the open sack-style very comforting because while he doesn't cry when he's in it, his face tightens and he refuses to let go of me. Sometimes if I'm wearing it for a while he will relax and loosen up a bit, but that usually only happens when he sees our home. This isn't only me either, he was doing the same thing with his dad. Our son had the same vice grip of death on my husband's arm that he had on mine and he would whimper sometimes. Aidan seemed to relax if his dad kept an arm around him but that kind of defeats the purpose of having him in a carrier. When my mother and I took the trip to Wal-Mart, she was surprised by the look on my son's face. When we finally made it out to the car, my mother said "Wow... He looks absolutely miserable in that thing." During that shopping trip, he was trying constantly to jump out of the carrier and into grandma's arms -- and that's something that rarely happens because he is simply more comfortable with his mommie right now. But, anyway, that just about sums up the way my son felt every time I tried to put the carrier on -- he was honestly miserable.
I would think that fabric that comes all the way around the baby and a seat that fits a little tighter (trust me, I have the thing set as tight as the instructions told me to, if not a little tighter) would make my son feel a little more secure. He does like to look around, which I think is a definite plus... but I wish he would relax a little when sitting in this. Oh, and don't even try to move him to another position. We won't even go there.
Overall Opinion
I would have to say this is a very mediocre baby carrier -- it's better than the New Native carrier but it doesn't even come close to my Bjorn. Let's be honest -- this carrier costs $76 plus shipping, that comes out to roughly the cost of a Baby Bjorn model. While the Hip Baby seems to be more versatile at first glance, the Bjorn model is clearly the better of the two. This is a safe carrier, with quality construction and an attractive look... and many of the issues I have with it are very minor and easily fixed... but I still can't endorse the product for children who can still use a Bjorn. I can't even recommend this to people whose children have outgrown the Bjorn simply because of all the issues I had with it. If anyone is going to spend $80 on a carrier, they would do well to purchase a Baby Bjorn model. The Baby Bjorn model can be used from birth, it's easy to put on and take off (no extra help/benches needed), the instruction manual is clear, concise and all-encompassing, the baby is comfortable (the head doesn't bob), it's easy to find in most major retailers and it hasn't hurt my back once even though I've used it on a daily basis for months. I know I'm reaching the end of the Bjorn's usefulness because it can only go up to around 24 lbs (as opposed to 33 for this carrier) and that's very disappointing for me... but I think I'll look for a different carrier to serve my hiking and walking needs because the Hip Baby is just too much of a killer on my back.
I'll give it two and a half stars because my husband liked it, but since I can't give that rating... I'll round it down to two stars. I won't slap a recommendation on it yet, but I have heard they are tweaking the model for 2007... I would like to see if they fix some of the issues I had with this, because it definitely has the potential to be a top-notch carrier. I can't slam it too much for the back pain since I do have back problems and most carriers do cause some back pain... but when you compare it to the Bjorn, it simply cannot stand up. I really... really wanted to like this carrier but, in the end, I just couldn't.
Disclaimer: I received the Walking Rock Farm Hip Baby free in exchange for an honest review.
Pros:
*I feel the baby is safe and secure in carrier
*Quality of construction
*Can be used on hip/back/front
*Baby has full range of motion
*The "air-flow" fabric does keep the back of baby cool
*My husband liked it
Cons:
*Sizing is weird, the medium doesn't seem like it fits me that well... baby hangs too low
*Instruction manual could be better (include more info like washing instructions, how to move the baby to back position, which weight limit is correct, etc)
*Kills my neck/back
*Not easy to switch shoulders
*You must wear the carrier inside-out if you wear it on your right hip
*My son doesn't think he's secure in it and holds on for dear life (maybe adding more fabric around the sides of the baby will make them feel even more secure)
*Baby's skin rubs against your shirt, causing you both to sweat (maybe adding a little padding in between you and baby isn't a bad idea)
*Extremely difficult to move baby to back position alone
*When moved to back or front position, baby's face is smushed against you... making an active baby like my son angry
*Must be sitting when you put it on -- neither myself nor my son like this because it's inconvenient and he doesn't like sitting still for longer than 0.1 seconds
*Can't adjust the shoulder strap when the carrier is on because the back adjuster is in the back
*Waist belt is upside down, making it harder to tighten the straps when wearing the carrier
*Baby's head bounces a lot
*It does cost around $80 including shipping
*Only can be found at the Walking Rock Farm website
Recommended:
No
Age Range of Child: 0 to 12 Months
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gatorgirlie
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Location: Orlando, FL
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