the BEST hip carrier

I LOVE this hip carrier!!! I was saddened when my daughter outgrew the cradle and kangaroo positions of our sling and I wasn't comfortable with her in the hip carry position in a regular sling. She is very active, always turning, trying to jump and grab. I was afraid that a traditional sling didn't offer enough support. The baby bjorn offered a lot of support, but she either had to be facing out (and couldn't cuddle and fall asleep comfortably) or she had to be facing in and fussed because she couldn't see the world well enough when she was awake.
This hip carrier was the PERFECT compromise. She can see everything. (I have gotten used to sitting a bit sideways so that she can face out and have a great view.) Then, when she gets sleepy, she can cuddle up to me and take a nap. I have heard some people complain about shoulder or back pain with these carriers, but I often carry my daughter (who is over 20 pounds) for HOURS in this and have never had back pain. (We live in NYC and walk around the city for miles with this!) As long as you make sure the fabric is spread out, it is incredibly comfortable. The only thing that was a bit tricky at first was putting it on. It took practice to be able to pull the strap around my back and over my shoulder so that is was flat, while supporting my daughter. But after a few days, I really got the hang of it. I HIGHLY recommend this. I have tried cheaper hip carriers and they dig into your shoulders and cause back pain. This one is worth every penny!!