We use the hip hold here too, in fact DD2 fell asleep on me just after dinner while I had her dinner and was snoring into my armpit

Newborn carry never worked for us either but we are definitely rockin it now! If you haven't gone already the Slingbabies site is www.slingbabies.co.nz
ETA: DD2 is almost 5.5mos but we only started using a pouch sling a couple weeks ago or so I think, so just before 5 mos.
Edited by HippyMama