Let me introduce you to the baby product you never knew you needed and may not know exists: the Tushbaby. It’s an innovative baby seat that you wear around your waist. I was gifted one that I used with my oldest child, and it was an instant lifesaver. Now, I use it all the time with my 14-month-old.
What is it?
It’s a unique hip baby carrier. Their website describes it as “an ergonomic baby carrier, designed with a squishy memory foam seat for your baby’s tush, and a plush pad around the abdomen for you.” I heard someone describe it as a fanny pack with a shelf, and that is a pretty accurate description! Baby sits on the carrier and you hold them securely with your hands. You can hold your child in a feeding position, on your hip, and in front of you with baby either facing inward or outward. It also has a convenient pouch to hold keys, a phone, a diaper, wipes, etc.
What does it help with?
It releases the pressure on your hips. Holding a baby can go from easy to heavy very quickly. With this device holding your child becomes almost effortless. It also eliminates the cumbersome (and hot!) process of strapping the baby to you in a traditional carrier.
What’s the catch?
This is not a hands-free carrier. You do still have to use your arm to support the baby’s back while they are in the seat.
When would I use it?
It is designed for babies who can hold their heads up independently. For younger babies, they suggest using it as breastfeeding support. I suggest using it anytime you would be carrying a baby for an extended amount of time and want to take the weight off. Times when I use it:
- Anytime I would traditionally “hip carry” baby. Last week, I used it while standing outside chatting with a neighbor for 20 minutes. Without it, my arms would have tired out minutes into the conversation.
- Anytime we will be running in and out of a place quickly.
- I recently used it a lot during travel. It was very convenient to hold the baby after we gate-checked the stroller until we were settled in our seats and to navigate the airport quickly during a short layover. It was also perfect to carry my toddler who is not walking yet for quick trips around our hotel.
- Doctor visits. I often use it for doctor visits so that I don’t need to maneuver the stroller through the building and into the small patient rooms.
Do you need it?
Need is relative, as always, but I think it’s a great product if you know you will use it. If you don’t carry your baby often you likely won’t see much of a need for it. I received mine from a family friend and I think it makes for a fantastic gift. I always point out when I see another mom using one when I see them out, and they always seem to love it too!
