We went on our first trip to the beach last weekend. It happen to be a chilly, windy, dreary day in Old Saybrook, CT. But we made the best of it!
I took along our Baby Nari Hip Hugger carrier. I walked up and down the beach with our son on my hip. For quite some time. He’s nearly 23 pounds by now (I’ll find out Monday), so having a carrier really spared my arms (yes, I’m a weakling in the bicep dept!).
He didn’t care so much for walking on the wet sand – the texture was new and different, so he preferred to be held most of the time.
There was so much to see, coarse red sand, rocks, soft, silky sand for digging. Then he wanted to get down again. But a few steps later he wanted to be up. Then we came across a strand of rocks, and he wanted to be down.
I wanted to take pictures of him here and there, so I was putting him down. And up. What saved the day was the type of carrier I had – the Baby Nari Hip Hugger (Toddle version) carrier allowed me to hold him comfortably, without straining my arms.
Since it doesn’t have straps, I could easily put him down without fuss. The seat is angled, positioning him closer to me (although I still need to provide light balance support with my arm).
My 15-month-old liked changing positions frequently, because he’s at the age where he doesn’t want to sit still (um, I think he’s always been like that!). I could face him towards me when the wind kicked up and hide his head. I could face him outwards to look around. I put him on my hip so I could pick up small objects from the beach to show him. There are so many ways to wear the Hip Hugger.
The Hip Hugger was comfortable to wear once I realized the tighter I wore it, the more comfortable it felt! Without my son on the carrier, the hip pouch seemed a bit bulky, but was easily slid to the back out of the way.
Now… I’m personally not a huge fan of the “fanny pack” but I must admit the convenience of carrying supplies within reach while carrying the baby was … well, awfully convenient. The pouch is big enough to hold a cloth diaper, small wipes bag and my Flip camera and still zip closed.
So I could wander a ways from the beach house but not worry that I wouldn’t have an essential item. We certainly have made good use of this carrier for stop-and-go babywearing situations!
Moms who babywear in the summer will enjoy this lighter version of a carrier since they may be more active at the beach, park, picnic. I think dads/grandpas/uncles will also like this carrier because it is less fuss and has a more masculine appearance.
PLEASE keep in mind, this carrier is NOT a hands free carrier, which might be a con, but there are the advantages of easy up/down as I explained.
I’d like to thank Baby Nari also for sponsoring my blog with a sidebar ad! And they were so kind as to offer my readers, through the end of this giveaway, a special discount: $20 off your order with Discount Code: BABYNARI.
Have you ever tried a hip carrier? What do you think?
Win it: One lucky reader will win a Baby Nari Hip Hugger (Infant or Toddle size). ARV $60/$80.
Disclosure: I was sent a product to facilitate this review. I was not compensated in any other way, and all opinions are 100% my own.
I visited the website and I like the illustration that shows how the Baby Nair allows you to hold your child but gives you the extra comfort and feeling of security by taking some of the strain off your arms!
I like Baby Nari on facebook! stephanie a….
Visited Baby Nari online, I think the Baby Nari is a very interesting concept! I love that there is storage space available in the pack!
I liked Baby Nari on FB!
I think it’s awesome they come in so many different colors!
I visited the website and I love the different colors and celebrity pics.
I like baby nari on facebook.
Love how they have infant and toddler styles, and shows how it helps relieve back stress.
I think these look wonderful! I bet we could even take some evening walks around the neighborhood with ease if we had one of these.
I like Baby Nari on FB.
What do I think? I’ve been wanting one of these for months. Our 18 month old is too heavy for my back, but still too small to walk everywhere. This would be awesome to have.
I think they are cool! I love that they have a compartment to carry things!
I checked out babyNari.com. Nice web site. Nice customer review section and Love the video of their news spotlight!
I checked out babyNari.com. Nice web site. Love the video of their news spotlight!
Baby Nari FB fan – Kimberlie S.T.
cool website- I’ve never seen any product like this before! I like that they have one for older babies- my son loves to be carried but he’s like a sack of potatoes when we pick him up. This would really help my back!
I love Baby Nari! I really really want the Beige toddler hip hugger!
Visited the website. I like how it’s supposed to be easy on the back and that I could use it with both my girls who are always wanting to get up and down!
I like that the website shows that there are multiple sitting positions that you can use.
I think the hip hugger carriers are really neat! I love how their site demonstrates and explains how to use the carriers!
I like baby nari on facebook!
I think the Baby Nari looks useful and it also makes me very curious as to how it works/feels, etc. Their website has a ton of information and is easily navigated.
I visited the Baby Nari website & loved it, it made me really want to win this for my new grandbaby.
I visited the site. I like all the color selections and the picture of how your spine is better aligned with the Baby Nari.
I think this is a neat idea. It sounds like a great back saver!
I think it looks amazing!!
I saw your photos and totally thought, she must have been sent that Hip Hugger to trial. Great photos at the beach, too. Looks like an amazing beach.
We’ve never tried one. I have a Hip Hammack made by a local lady who is the actually inventor of the Playtex Hip Hammock. She sold her patent. The Playtex ones are no where near as nice as hers. It was one of my early introductions to baby wearing. I purchased it to carry baby T Rex through the airport. I use to take he and his dad with me on business trips when I was still working. I liked it. I did not like that it put stuff on one side – but It did allow me to have a free hand. I think it would have been tough anyway carrying a baby without any thing at all. He, too, was a heavy little guy.
Never tried a hip carrier but I would love to!
i think this is a great invention. i can carry my chunker without further injuring my wrist…i am pretty sure he gave me carpal tunnel. also, i like that they can be facing you or away from you. it will take the load off my hip and back too. great for quick trips!