David and I recently decided to go to Costco on a Sunday morning right at opening. It was a beautiful sunny day, and we thought it was a brilliant idea to get out and do our shopping ahead of the crowds. We’d get to park close to the entrance, avoid the shopping cart jams around the food sample stations, and the check out lines would be a breeze.
Wrong.
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
Our actual experience went something like this: We arrived to find nearly every parking space taken and ended up parking so far away, we would have been justified in hitching a ride to the entrance. To make matters worse, our sunny skies were quickly traded for a serious spring thundershower. Big fat drops of rain soaked every inch of our t-shirt and sandal-clad selves as we made a dash across the massive parking lot to the store. Serves us right for not checking the forecast before leaving the house.
So it wasn’t the hassle-free experience we’d expected, but one member of our party rather enjoyed herself.
This is my sweet girl, Riley, fast asleep in a MiaMily Hipster soft structured carrier.
While the rest of us got drenched, she was snuggled up next to me with the Hipster’s snap-on hood covering her head.
She didn’t mind all the swerving around and dodging other shopping carts. She was contentedly looking around, taking in the bustling crowds and expanse of the warehouse from the safety and comfort of the ergonomic seat perched on my waist.
And while we waited in a long check out line, our cart piled high with bulk items and still a little soggy from our arrival, she laid her head back against the carrier and chewed away at one of its teething pads until she fell asleep.
It didn’t take me long to fall in love with the Hipster. It’s the easiest carrier I’ve ever worn, and I can be confident knowing that the Swiss company, MiaMily, puts safety first. I’ll confess, I didn’t even read any of the instructions before trying it out. I was in a pinch. Chores needed to get done, and Brooks wanted to be held. So I took it straight out of the box and put him on my front, facing in. I put the Hipster to work immediately so we could enjoy one another’s company while I did the dishes. It was great!
I did eventually get around to reading through the instruction manual, and here’s where it gets especially innovative—the top portion of the carrier zips off so you can use the hip seat by itself! This is wonderfully convenient when your child wants to be carried around for just a few minutes before asking to get down again or when they want to be held but without the confinement of a carrier, wrap, or sling.
The ergonomic design of the seat meets international hip safety standards and also keeps your back properly aligned. If you’ve tried to hold your child on your hip for an extended amount of time, you know it can get painful, but with the Hipster there’s no need to tweak your back trying to extend your hip out to the side.
The Hipster gives you six different carrying options with very little fiddling. And I prefer to avoid fiddling whenever possible.
That’s why my favorite part about this carrier is the 3D seat. Because it promotes healthy hips in every position, there’s no snapping, tucking, or buckling to transform it to fit infants or to switch from wearing your child facing in to facing out.
I’ve done the laundry with Brooks on my back, vacuumed with him face-out on my front, and run more errands with Riley tucked inside. I think I’ll wait until she’s 4 months old before trying face-out to make sure she has really good head control. As for back carrying, they recommend waiting until at least 18 months so your child has full head control, can see over your shoulder, and can hold onto you while you while adjust the Hipster.
MiaMily’s Hipster includes a good amount of bells and whistles without making things too complicated:
- Teething pads that can be easily removed for washing
- A zip off front panel for breathability in warm weather
- A snap-on head cover
- Velcro on the waistband for added safety and stability
- A collapsible carrying bag with the company’s giving slogan
That reminds me! Let me tell you about the awesome charitable contributions they make!
The parents who created MiaMily share a love for giving and serving, and they carry this passion into their business. For every product they sell, MiaMily donates a can of formula to an orphanage in need. Their motto is Change the World, One Baby at a Time.
How awesome is that?
They offer a couple of extra accessories for purchase including an extender belt and a single shoulder carrier top that zips onto the hip seat just like the double strap top. This adds three more carrying options for a total of nine.
This carrier is recommended for children from 3 months old (with good head control) to 3 years (40 lbs). Riley is now 3 months old, and Brooks probably won’t clock in at 40 lbs until he’s 10…so I’m able to use it for both kids.
The unique 3D seat makes a big difference in comfort as well as safety. It distributes the weight really nicely, and because there are no long pieces of fabric or hammock-like seats to fiddle with (again with the fiddling!), it’s really impossible to get it wrong. There’s no need to check in a mirror to make sure everything looks as it should or to ask, “Did I do this right? Does he/she look properly supported to you?” Their legs will always be in the correct “M” position.
Now that Riley is big enough to be worn in this carrier, I rarely use wraps anymore. This is just so much easier, especially when we’re on the go. And now that it’s warming up outside, I’m glad MiaMily incorporated the zip-off panel to keep my babies cool. We’ll definitely be getting a lot of use from the Hipster in seasons to come.
Hipster Plus Kickstarter
MiaMily is currently running a campaign on Kickstarter for their next generation carrier, the Hipster Plus. Added features include an infant insert for newborns, a slip guard on the seat, a drool cover, and the best part…a HUGE pocket inside the 3D seat. This would render diaper bags and purses unnecessary for short trips. Think about it, people. Does it get any better than that?
Check out their campaign and consider supporting MiaMily with their goal of making baby wearing the safest and easiest it’s ever been!
Win a MiaMily Hipster!
One of my readers will win a MiaMily Hipster of their own! Enter in the giveaway widget below. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the US, 18+. All entries will be verified.
While you’re here, check out my other open giveaways on my Giveaway Page!
Disclosure: I received sample items for review. All opinions expressed are completely honest and my own, based on my personal experience. Your experience may differ.
Samantha Levang is a contributor at This West Coast Mommy, specializing in cloth diaper and baby item reviews. She lives in Washington state with her husband, toddler son, Brooks, and new baby girl, Riley. Between diaper changes and loads of laundry, she enjoys landscape photography and the never-ending process of home decorating.
I love that there are so many different ways to wear your baby/toddler with this carrier! I love the zipper pouch and the pocket for your phone! THat would make it so easy not to have to carry a big diaper bag in the store in addition to babywearing.
I like how it’s safe and has the comfort of the ergonomic seat. It’s also versatile – it can be a hip seat, double shoulder or single shoulder seat. It also keeps the posture of the mom or dad right and not incorrect. The removable head cover and teething pads are a plus! Hope I win!
I like seeing the carrier on men and women. It gives me a better idea on fit and function. It is really hard to find a carrier that both my husband and I are comfortable using
Such an interesting concept! I’ve never seen any carrier with that many different options. It seems like it would grow really nice with the child.
this seems like a really cool carrier. the fact that you can use just the seat on your hip to help support the babies weight is amazing and would be super convenient when my little guy wants to be up and down while i make dinner. it also seems like it would be relatively cool in the hotter months which is a plus. this carrier really seems to have it all and i’d truly love to be able to try one out.
Thanks for the giveaway
I would really love to win this really thoughtful product.
This looks fantastic, even with my ERGO i get back and hip pain and I feel like this supported seat would help to eliminate that. I also like the versatility that it provides
Not sure how I feel about the hip seat only option, but it looks like a great carrier. I’d love to give one a try.
This would be so great for my daughter!! It would make things easier for both of us
I’ve been eyeballing Boba 4g for a while now, but this one has a zip-off panel to make it BREATHABLE?!? Um, YES, please.
Nice! jk I love all the storage and the new use of a material on this, looks interesting.
I would love to surprise my daughter with this. She had her son May 2nd nod she is finding out he’s not a sleeper. He just wants Mommy all the time. And she has a 3yr. old and a 1 yr. old at home as well. It’s very hard to get things done and spend a little time with the other two. It does get a little easier when her almost 6 yr. old gets home from school. She’s like a little Mommy herself. This would be a great help to her though. ?
I’m a mommy of 4 little ones. I love that this has multiple positions and I could even wear my toddlers!
This is very unique and different, I like all the options with it!
That hip pack is definitely the game changer! The hipster works be perfect for my toddler, who wants to be “up” until he is picked up, then he’d rather be “down.”
I am so intrigued with this carrier. I love the hip seat option! I’ve never seen anything like it before. I’d love to try it with my little one!
This Miamily Hipster Baby Carrier seems, to me, to be the ‘Rolls-Royce’ of carriers. It can hold babies from newborns to children that are past toddler stage. There are at least six ways to hold your child, safely, while you do your housework or shopping. Baby is safe and secure because he is close to his favorite person. You are content because you know exactly where your baby is and how he is doing. Safety is a priority with this company and this so important. To all of us who have carried babies and toddlers on our hips, (five)proper alignment is very important as we do not want to ruin our back, or be in pain. We have too many responsibilities to let this interfere with them and our busy life. Thank you for all the information and for this useful and safe giveaway.
I am very happy that you have good products that ensure safety/ healthy and promotes a great lifestyle
One of my co-workers is pregnant and this carrier would come in so handy for her.
This carrier seems amazing!! I only wish I could actually afford one! As a single mom with no family, its hard to get the accessories that would make life so much easier. I would be soooo greatful and honered to win this carrier! My little one still breastfeeds and wants up all the time, but I have back issues and can’t always carry her like she wants, so we get stuck having to sit and take a nursing break 10 times a day, but having one of these carriers would help tremendously to get more accomplished throughout our days! Thank you greatly for the chance to win this, keeping my fingers crossed!! If you know of any resale carrier sites that may sell these for a cheaper price, could you leave us all a comment about it? Thanks again!
Oh my goodness, I laughed when I saw your parking picture! So true so many times. This carrier would be just right for my grandson. He is growing, walking some, but so often you just need to carry them. I love the seat feature.
Wow! That 3D seat looks amazing! No more worrying if you have the seat right. I love this carrier’s versatility and would love to win one!
So many different options to carry baby! The seat looks really interesting.
I love this carrier.
I learned about this brand earlier this week and was intrigued by it! I love the 3D seat feature!
I would love to give this baby carrier to my daughter who is expecting a baby. I love the positions you can carry the baby.
There are so so so many things I love about the MiaMily. it has been on my dream list for awhile. I love that the baby sits on a “perch”. I love the versatility, the colour options, and that there are so many ways to wear it. Also damn cosco and their parking lots, and their yummy samples!
wow sure wish this was around when I had my son it is brilliant. It would have saved a lot of backaches. Great detailed review, loved the pictures
you really gave a lot of great information on this carrier…….. I notice one thing you never mentioned was how long or how easy it was to put on and get the kid into it.
This would come in mighty handy with a new baby coming. I am already wondering how I am going to do the juggling. Thanks for the info, I never would have known how versatile the product is.
Thank you for your very informative blog. I love learning about different products. I think it’s awesome that it unzips and you can use just the hip part. And your baby is adorable!
I would love to win this for my daughter, she would Mimily Hipster Baby Carrier for the different positions it offers, ergonomic design of the seat and comfort. This is a great carrier!
It looks so easy! The seat definitely would have been handy at the laundromat today while I was washing the wrap. My hips were killing me at the end.
And the pocket! Everything should have pockets.
It is so nicely designed for babies comfort and for Mom or Dad too
I love not only the numerous carrying positions available with this carrier, but also the colours, the fact that it folds up compact, that it comes with suck pads and how uber comfortable it looks for both Mom (or Dad) and baby!! This is one carrier that I would love to try out with my LO!
This carrier looks to be ridiculous. It looks funny on and all the while they talk about the baby and hip position, yet the toddler on the back is not in a safe position. The seat is too narrow for her. Eventhough it claims that the baby will be in the proper M position, you can clearly see in the image with the man carrying the girl in pink outfit that when she is on the back she is not in an M position. Her legs are dangling 🙁
The way the carrier extends outwards looks hilarious.
Just to say I don’t thinK I will be purchasing this carrier.
Disappointing.
The miamily hipster plus is versatile and is easy on both the parent and the baby. Thank you for a thorough and detailed review of the hipster plus…
yeah, the picture kind of says everything and expresses more feeling than the text in the post. Sometimes, you just feel lucky that you have the necessary tools at the right time. Imagine how life would have been if there isn’t a baby carrier on your way to the store? It would be a different thing entiruely.