Safe and Comfortable Babywearing: hope&plum’s Tips and Tricks

At hope&plum, every carrier we create is packed with love, comfort, and one of our most important values— safety. Babywearing safety is key to keeping you and your little one snuggled up happily and comfortably. We’ve put together some easy-to-follow tips to help you feel confident every step (or nap!) of the way while wearing your baby. 💛

Starting your babywearing journey? It’s smart to do a little research first! Baby carriers come in different styles, each designed with specific features to fit certain weights, ages, and developmental stages. Finding the right one can make all the difference.

For example, baby wraps are perfect for those cozy newborn snuggles, but they’re not ideal for toddlers. Meanwhile, our Lark Baby Carrier is our go-to for older babies and toddlers—but it’s not a safe fit for a newborn.

If you’re dreaming of versatile options, a Meh Dai or Lark will give you both front and back carry positions. Want to rock a hip carry? The ring sling is your best friend! Whatever your needs, there’s a carrier ready to support you and your little one through every adventure. ✨

Remember that not all of these babywearing positions are appropriate for all children. See below for a chart that shows the different positions, carriers that can be used for them, and the milestones your child should be achieving before trying them.

After you purchase your carrier, be sure to read all included manufacturer instructions before babywearing. All hope&plum carriers come with instructional booklets that explain how to properly and safely use each carrier. We also have a tutorials page and free one-on-one consultations with our dedicated educator team.

You should also read all warning labels and tags on your carrier and familiarize yourself with the carrier’s weight limits.

hope&plum carriers are made with care and integrity and are subject to the highest degree of babywearing safety testing. This is why they can truly become the stars of your parenting toolkit. You may reach for them all day every day, so they go through a lot. This is why it’s important to make sure they stay safe and secure for you and your little one throughout years of babywearing use.

Each time you go to grab your carrier to babywear your little one, do a quick safety inspection by answering “Yes” or “No” to the following questions:

• Do any weight bearing seams or hems show signs of unraveling or ripping?

• Are any buckles cracked?

• Is the safety loop on my Lark missing or not working properly?

• (If doing a back carry in the Lark:) Is my chest strap missing?

If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, it’s time to pause and reassess. Please stop using that carrier or position right away. You can order replacement parts on our website, or reach out to our customer support team at  hello@hopeandplum.co  with details about the issue—we’re happy to help!

In the meantime, use another carrier or switch up your carry position to stay safe while waiting. Our warranty covers manufacturing defects, but we can often help with things like broken buckles and more. It never hurts to ask! 💌

There’s a ton of babywearing positioning advice out there, but we’re here to break it down into the basics! Whether you’re carrying a baby, toddler, or older child, these tips apply to all of our carriers:

• Your little one should always be upright. In a front or hip carry, their head should be close enough to kiss. 😘
• Their thighs should be fully supported to the knees, with their knees slightly higher than their bottom (think a comfy “M” shape for those legs!).

For infants, their head should rest gently on your chest with a natural curve to their spine that looks like a “C” from the side. As your child grows and gains head, neck, and trunk control, their posture will shift to a “J” shape with their torso and upper legs.

When worn properly, all of our carriers support your child’s natural development while keeping them snug, secure, and comfortable. Check out the graphics below for some visual tips on nailing those positions!

Now it’s time to practice babywearing with your carrier! If baby isn’t here yet, or even if they are, it can be a good idea to practice with a stuffed animal, doll, or even pillow. This way you can get the basics down without the risk of dropping your baby or using the carrier incorrectly. When you’re ready to try with baby, don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right immediately. 

All carriers have a learning curve, and it can take some time to get used to babywearing with something new! hope&plum has lots of instructional videos and wearing tips on our website, Facebook group, Instagram, and TikTok. And we offer free virtual fit checks for anyone with one of our carriers whether purchased from our store or from another community member.

As you get more comfortable babywearing and using your carrier with your child, make sure you’re listening to yourself and your body. If something feels off or not right, stop, reposition your child, or them off and start again. If you’re experiencing discomfort or pain, stop, reposition your child, or them off and start again. 

Babywearing isn’t just about the carrier—it’s also about building up your own strength! Don’t worry if you can’t carry your toddler for hours right away. It’s totally normal for your body to need time to adjust. Think of it as working toward a goal, one snuggle at a time. 💪

But listen to your body—pushing too hard or wearing the carrier incorrectly can lead to discomfort or even injury. At hope&plum, we’ve designed carriers to be as comfortable as possible for everyone. If you’ve eased into it, followed all the safety tips, and still feel uncomfortable, it might be time for a fit check. Or honestly? Just get a fit check anyway—we’re always here to help! ✨

And don’t forget to listen to your baby! Typically developing babies will let you know when they’re uncomfortable. If your baby cries for more than five minutes in the carrier and nothing soothes them except taking them out, there’s a good chance something needs adjusting.

But let’s be real—just because a baby is worn correctly and comfortably doesn’t mean they’ll never fuss. Babies fuss all the time (even if they love being worn!). They might be hungry, need a diaper change, or just be frustrated that it’s taking you longer than 0.2 seconds to set up your carrier. 😅

A little wiggling or stretching is totally normal too. Babies are just doing what they do best—letting us know how they feel! 💛

If your baby is fussy in the carrier, take a moment to check that you’re following all the safety tips. Then try switching things up—bounce a little, walk around, head to a different room, or step outside for a change of scenery. 🌞

Still fussy? No problem. Take a babywearing break! Take them out and check if they’re hungry, need a diaper change, or just need a little reset. And if nothing else works (you know where I’m going with this 😉)— schedule a fit check! We’ll help you and your baby get comfy, happy, and ready for more snuggles. 💛