Kind of piggybacking off my swimming question-good toddler carriers?

I'm starting to have real problems lifting and carrying Alli, just for
regular, short term things during the day. SHe goes from wanting to be held
to wanting down RIGHT NOW, and while I haven't actually dropped her yet, I
can easily see that happening-and physically, it's getting very hard for me
to lift and carry her just due to fatigue-which makes dropping her more
likely Is there any sort of really easy to get child in and out of carrier
which would be useful for this, preferably something I could just wear most
of the time, pick her up and slip her in, then slip her out easily? A hip
carry is most secure for me without a carrier. It doesn't need to completely
hold her, just provide backup against dropping the heavy little wiggle worm.

Ericka Kammerer...

I found just a regular old ring sling to work quite
effectively with a toddler in a hip carry. I also have a
Sara's Ride hip carrier. I don't know if it's still
available. I've seen other hip carriers, but I've also
heard some people say they weren't very comfortable.
I thought the Sara's Ride was pretty comfortable for
me, though that or the ring sling would eventually
start wearing on my shoulder if I used it for a long
time with a heavy toddler. I found a back carry
easier for long term carrying, but that's not as
easy-in, easy-out.

Best wishes,
Ericka

Irene...

When my dd is in wiggle-worm mode, I find that a ring-sling hip carry
isn't particularly secure, because she leans and wiggles and generally
gets out of the secure hip carry position. I ended up getting a Kozy
(mei tai), because there was no possible way for her to wiggle out.
It's a little more awkward to get her in and out quickly, but
definitely doable. It's a little awkward to wear without the baby, but
I've certainly done it on many occassions.

I did have a Sara's Ride, but didn't find it comfortable for long-term
use. I recently heard that they are not being made anymore, but the
creator is trying to sell the pattern, so possibly they may get made by
someone else in the future.

And as always with these types of questions, I'll refer you over to

Mary W....

I really wanted a Mei Hip Carrier:

toypup...

I have one. It is more comfy to carry DD in it, but it is hot, and it is
bulky and it takes more time to put on and take off than a sling. Also, it
is not as easy to get DD into it compared to a sling. For short hauls and
in-and-out transport, I prefer the sling.

The Mei hip carrier is beautiful. It's one of the most beautiful carriers I
own, but I don't get much use out of it and DD will be outgrowing it soon.

Couldn't justify it, since I used my Maya wrap sling with the hip
carry pretty successfully. But the Mei Hip carrier might fit the
bill for you. I tried the playtex hip carrier but it was hard on
my shoulder.

Mary W.

Sigh...I always knew there would be a day when I wouldn't be able to keep up
with her physically, but I had expected it to be a bit later than age 1.