I've tried a few carriers over the years, with mixed results. Slings, wraps, front carriers - all of them. Have I found a perfect solution in any of them? Sadly, no. But they've each served a purpose. Years ago, with my son he and I both loved the sling type Over the Shoulder Baby Holder carrier. Fast forward to a few years later and my baby daughter - she and I both just couldn't get the same carrier to work for us. My body a different shape, a different sized baby, different needs and preferences and it just didn't work out. When she was an infant she loved to be held in a front carrier and we got lucky with an inexpensive Infantino Baby Connection Cozy Carrier that was under $20. When she outgrew that a few months later, we moved to a Moby Wrap. One of my friends suggested that I try this Playtex Hip Hammock once she was getting to be what to me felt like too heavy (and too big) in the wrap style carrier. So, for under $40 at a local Wal-Mart I figured I'd try it out.

"The Original" Hip Hammock was designed by Nancie Swanke of Boise, Idaho. A few years ago, Playtex bought the rights to it and is now mass distributing it. I'm unsure the exact product differences or if the original is still being sold but I have seen them on ebay and they come in more colors than the Playtex version. Playtex has 2 versions of this out - one is "deluxe" and it appears to be a fabric difference with suede on it. Ours is the regular non-deluxe one, and it suits us just fine.

The Hip Hammock is a carrier designed for an 'older' baby that weighs between 15 and 35 pounds. Your baby needs to be able to sit up on their own and not have a wobbly head. This is not for infants. We started using our Hip Hammock around the time when my daughter seemed to want a bit more freedom than the other carriers we had would give her and when I knew we'd be carrying her instead of using a stroller. Like, when I took a trip into NYC and was using public transportation this served the trick. And surprisingly, she has even fallen asleep in it!

Using the Hip Hammock is not too difficult but like any carrier I have tried its tricky at first. First you put the carrier around your waist and buckle it and tighten it up. Its important this is around your actual waist and not your hips because this is what supports the "seat" of the carrier. Then with the carrier facing downward you pick your child up and put them on your hip so that their legs are straddling the carrier. Holding your child on your hip you need to lift the carrier up around your child and pull the strap over your opposite shoulder. Then you need to tighten and adjust that strap so its comfortable and tight enough that its supportive. This is easier with 2 people but once you figure it out you can do it all by yourself if your child isn't squirming away. The carrier will support your child in a seated position on your hip but you will still need to kind of support them (at least, I've always felt that I need to still hold onto her somewhat). So, I've found it not to be a truly hands free carrier but I've definitely found its easier than just carrying a heavy child around with no carrier. You can find instructions for loading a child into the carrier here:
http://www.playtexbaby.com/hiphammock/products/howtouse.html

Now, about comfort and adjustability. For me, I am short and my husband is tall. The same carrier fits us both so its pretty adjustable. One thing though that I've found is that with me the shoulder strap even though its padded tends to slip over and cut into my neck. I really think that this has to do with me being short and also because I'm on the busty side. I really think this carrier will work better if you don't have a large chest - based on my experience. After using this carrier for any period of time my neck and shoulder do start to hurt but its from the strap rubbing into it. FYI - my 18 month daughter weighs 23 pounds, so she's no lightweight either.

Other features of this carrier include a ring that you can attach a toy to - we've never needed this. Also, when the child is not in the carrier you can fold the carrier down and use it like a waist pack. Again, not something I've needed to do.

I've had this carrier now for about 6 months and it still looks pretty new. Its black, so it'd hide stains well! To wash it I've just spot cleaned it - thankfully we've not had anything messy happen with it!Ours has held up and doesn't look worn out at all. Granted its only been used more than a handful of times by me, my husband and by a few friends so its got a lot of life left in it.

As far as recommendations go - well, this carrier is OK. If you need something to help you carry a heavy baby that's breaking your back this will help you out. But, be prepared that its not truly a hands-free solution. Its also relatively cool looking and men could wear this without it butting into their masculinity. My husband has put this on a few times - when "Princess Hold Me" has demanded to not be put down. My biggest complaint about it has to do with discomfort with the strap and feeling like I just can't get it adjusted right for me. In talking to a few others I've found that its a trend with this carrier. So depending on your body type it just might not work out!
Still, well worth the under $40 if it does work for you!

Enjoy your baby!

http://www.playtexbaby.com/hiphammock/

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 39
Age Range of Child: 12 to 36 Months