Do you experience back, hip, or shoulder pain while carrying your child? Here’s my honest review of the Tushbaby hip seat carrier for babies and toddlers. I break down three carrying positions that reduce strain, support core engagement, and explain exactly how they protect your body. I also cover the design features, proper posture tips, and whether this baby product is truly worth the investment.
Want to see it in action? Watch my full Tushbaby review video for a live demo of each position. Come along on a real outing with my little fam and see how I use this hip seat carrier in everyday life!
I have a Tushbaby discount code for you — Use code KAYLAB22 to save 15% on your favorite Tushbaby, Tushbaby Lite, or other products on Tushbaby.com!
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I get asked all the time about the baby carrier I’ve worn since becoming a mama. It’s the Tushbaby Hip Seat Carrier.
As a Pilates instructor and a mama of two littles, I strive to take good care of my body. I want to stay strong for my kids—and so I can deliver you the best Pilates workouts! (Make sure you are subscribed to my YouTube Channel to get my free weekly Pilates workouts!) Through Pilates, I teach core engagement, spinal alignment, and better posture to reduce the aches that come with baby carrying. That’s why I love Tushbaby. It supports those same core values and fits right into a strong, aligned, Pilates-focused lifestyle.
The Tushbaby hip seat carrier helps reduce strain without missing the sweet season of holding your babies close. You don’t have to choose between your back and your baby. Taking care of your body now supports longevity later.
I first saw Tushbaby on Shark Tank, years before I had kids. I remember staring at the TV thinking, “THAT IS GENIUS.” I told my husband we’d need one someday. With my long history of back pain, I didn’t want to take the chance of making it worse. I was happy to invest in the best baby carrier for back support to keep my body feeling good. Little did I know, my husband would wear it just as much as I did! In hindsight, maybe leopard wasn’t the most “shareable” color.
Yes, hip seat carriers are safe when used correctly. Your baby should have strong head and neck control before using it as a carrier. Make sure the seat sits high and snug above your hip bones for proper support. When positioned correctly, a hip seat carrier can reduce strain on your back, shoulders, and arms.
Tushbaby states that their hip seat carrier is typically best for 0–3-year-olds, with the feeding position being the best way to use with children who aren’t strong enough to support their body yet. Once baby is able to support their head, neck, and body, then you can start to use the carrier in the side- and front-facing positions.
You can use the Tushbaby for newborns to toddlers weighing up to 45 pounds.
The built-in Tushbaby waistband fits a 23–44-inch waist. With the addition of the Tushbaby Waistband Extender, it can fit up to a 68-inch waist (24 additional inches with the extender).
The Tushbaby Lite Hip Carrier has the same back and lumbar support as the original Tushbaby Hip Carrier. It just has a slimmer design with fewer pockets. The age range, weight limit, waistband size, and washing instructions are identical to the original Tushbaby carrier. The only differences between the two carriers, according to the company’s product listing, are the following:
Storage Pockets:
According to the company, “We’re not going to sit here and bash other brands that have jumped on the hip seat bandwagon, but we will tell you that every Tushbaby is made with craftsmanship, high-quality materials, and love. Unlike other brands that cut corners on quality to make their products less expensive, we’ve prioritized supporting both babies and their caregivers, and have gone through rigorous safety testing. All of our canvas and polyester products are OEKO-Tex 100 certified, and our vegan products do not contain PFAs.” View their infographic HERE.
Once our daughter Bobbi was born, I finally got to try out our Tushbaby carrier. To be honest, I was skeptical at first. I tried it when she was too small and couldn’t support herself upright yet. I thought to myself, “Well, this is disappointing…”
But then I realized I could use my hip seat carrier for breastfeeding support! I placed her in a slight side-lying position across the seat, close to my chest. It instantly made nursing easier for both of us.
And as an added bonus, I discovered that the Tushbaby also helped me to maintain good posture during feedings. I wasn’t rounding forward or collapsing into that classic nursing hunch. The waistband was extremely supportive for my back during feedings as well.
So here’s my honest take: it works beautifully for newborns as a feeding support tool. But as a true carrier? I’d wait until baby has enough core strength to hold their head, neck, and trunk upright safely.
When Bobbi was able to support her head, neck, and body upright, I was finally able to use my Tushbaby hip seat carrier as intended! I first used it for a family day at the zoo. Let me tell you, I was instantly hooked! Wearing this product allowed me to take her out of the stroller and carry her through the exhibits. This made the day so much more enjoyable for the following reasons:
After this experience, we always bring along the Tushbaby when we venture out in public. We simply tuck it into our stroller’s storage compartment so it’s handy any time we need it.
When my two little ones became toddlers, I loved using my Tushbaby at playground parks and family outings! Even though they had learned how to walk, they still needed to be carried sometimes. My Tushbaby carrier was a lifesaver. Not only was I chasing my 15-month-old son, but his three-year-old sister as well! When she got tired, I put her in the hip seat carrier since the Tushbaby weight limit is 45 pounds. As your little one grows, you will notice the hip seat taking on more pressure from their growing bodyweight. It is still way more comfortable using the Tushbaby with your grown toddler vs. traditional holding!
Now, let’s just talk about all of the s#*t we need to bring everywhere we go with our littles. Am I right?! Lugging it all around in a heavy diaper bag can be such a hassle. Tushbaby makes it easy to just bring the essentials.
The original Tushbaby features five handy pockets and a hideable bottle holder. I loved that I could stash diapers, wipes, snacks, and my phone right inside it. No giant diaper bag. No wondering which bench I left it on. No splitting my attention between my stuff and my kids.
We have some pretty epic parks in Minnesota, and I like to keep it simple by just bringing the necessities. My motto is LESS IS MORE!
Here is what I put inside my Tushbaby storage pockets:
* The Tushbaby Lite only has three pockets (large storage zipper pocket, front snap pocket, side mesh pocket) and no mesh hideable bottle holder, but it does come with the two side loops.
When you carry a baby without core engagement, you risk popping a hip and putting pressure on your joints. Over time, that constant stance throws off pelvic alignment. That’s when back pain creeps in. Sometimes even disc issues.
Additionally, when you hold your baby on one side, your bicep stays contracted the entire time. It never truly rests, and that fatigue travels up into your shoulder and neck. Then other muscles start compensating, causing tension, headaches, and general discomfort.
This is where Tushbaby changes the game. Because the seat sits high and snug above your hip bones, it distributes weight evenly through your pelvis—not your arm. The thick, wide waistband supports your low back so you can stand tall instead of collapsing.
You stay upright.
You stay aligned.
You protect your body.
In my Tushbaby review video I demonstrate three different holding positions, showing you exactly how to carry with better form.
Now let’s dive in to how the Tushbaby hip seat carrier actually works! First, we’ll go over how to put it on in three easy steps.
There are three primary ways to wear the Tushbaby hip seat carrier. These are the feeding position, the side carrying position, and the front carrying position.
Before you place your baby on the carrier, make sure it’s comfortable and secure. And remember, there are no straps securing your baby to the carrier, so you must hold onto them at all times.
Child Age: ~ 0 to 36 months
For feeding, position the seat slightly forward on your hip bone, depending on your preferred feeding position. Tushbaby helps prevent rounded shoulders and neck strain from constantly looking down at baby’s adorable face. The seat supports their weight so your shoulders stay relaxed and your neck stays aligned.
In my Tushbaby review video, I place baby in a side-lying position on the hip seat and bring them close to the breast. This allows me to hold myself upright. The hip seat supports my arm, as well as distributes the baby’s weight across my pelvis.
That means I can sit upright instead of collapsing forward. Over time, that makes a huge difference for your upper back and neck.
Child Age: ~ 4–6 to 36 months
This is the most common Tushbaby position. But personally, I prefer the third position—front carrying.. As kids grow, they get heavy fast. Front carry feels more supportive for my body.
For side carrying, place the seat just above your hip bone on your preferred side. I’m right-handed, so I wear mine on my left hip to keep my right hand free. You can easily switch sides during longer holds, which helps balance your body.
In my Tushbaby review video, I demonstrate this position with my son, Nash. You’ll see my weight stays centered, my core stays engaged, and the seat supports most of his weight. Because he can hold on, I can briefly go hands-free if needed.
If I carried him without the hip seat, my pelvis would shift and pop out to one side. That’s when posture breaks down, causing back pain and potential disc issues.
Child Age: ~ 4–6 to 36 months
Lastly, the front carrying position. As Nash got bigger and more active, this became my favorite Tushbaby position. It took pressure off my spine and pelvis and kept me standing tall. I could also face him inward or outward, allowing him to see what was going on around him.
And let’s be honest—with toddlers, it’s up, down, up, down all day. This position makes those constant transitions easy.
In my Tushbaby Review Video, you’ll see my core engage the second he’s on the seat. I can lightly wrap my arms around his belly while the hip seat supports most of his weight. The forward pull activates the waistband, which stabilizes my back and pelvis. I actually stand straighter with it on.
I also love the forward facing position because your hips don’t shift to one side. And without a hip seat carrier, front holding often drags your shoulders and head forward. That’s when upper back and neck pain start creeping in.
With proper support, your spine stays upright and aligned.
In my honest opinion, the Tushbaby carrier is SO worth it! Not only does it make holding your child easier, but it eliminates pain by helping you maintain proper alignment and posture. It is so easy to put on and carry your baby, plus it’s made of high quality, machine-washable material.
Now, I know you might be thinking, “Not another expensive baby product that I’m never going to use.” Most baby products have a short life span, but NOT Tushbaby, as you can use it with your child from their newborn to toddler years. Additionally, this game-changing product is not very expensive, especially with my Tushbaby discount code. Use KAYLAB22 to save 15% on Tushbaby.com!
Mamas, I hope you found my honest Tushbaby review and video helpful! Let me know in the comments below which holding position is your favorite. And please subscribe to my YouTube Channel for tips on keeping your body feeling and moving well through all stages of your life!
Hi, I'm Kayla Brugger. Certified Pilates Instructor & Minnesota Mama of 2.
