If you are looking for a sustainable, breathable carrier that is comfortable for both you and your baby or toddler, I highly recommend the Lark carrier. Keep reading for my Hope and Plum Lark Review.
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As I’m sitting here writing, I am holding my baby in my hope&plum Lark carrier. My family has been sick for a week, and he was fussy and wouldn’t settle. I put him in the Lark, and he calmed down within a minute. A few minutes later, he fell asleep and has been napping for over an hour in his carrier.
This has given me the flexibility to get lunch for my older kids and myself while simultaneously comforting him. Now, on to the review…
Why I Wanted to Try a Hope and Plum Carrier
I rarely used babywearing with my oldest because it felt overwhelming. I tried a few different carriers, and I either couldn’t get the right fit or felt like they were uncomfortable and more of a hassle than they were worth.
With my second, I used a carrier more often but still not very frequently. However, with my third I babywear regularly! With 3 kids, I need my hands to be free!
When he was a newborn, I used a wrap that I bought secondhand. He loved it and it really helped us bond. In the past, I used an Ergo Baby 360, but I didn’t like how bulky it felt.
Several friends who babywear frequently told me about hope&plum. I decided to save up and purchase a carrier and it has quickly become my favorite not only for my baby but also for my toddler!
About hope&plum
hope&plum is a woman-owned, mama owned business that handcrafts their baby carriers in Minnesota.
“where babywearing meets size-inclusivity, quality, empowerment, and style!” – hope&plum
hope&plum is passionate about paying their employees a fair wage. They also keep their production waste low by using scrap fabric for smaller accessories they sell, and they do not use any single-use plastics.
Furthermore, hope&plum offers stylish, easy-to-use carriers to help caregivers be present with their little ones, providing comfort for their babies while keeping their hands free. They are passionate about babywearing safety and include free one-on-one babywearing consults with the purchase of their carriers.
According to shescales.com, “Skye Amundsen and Mallory Mascoli started hope&plum with a combination of passion and necessity! The babywearing world was limited in terms of size-inclusivity and variety in design and they noticed that many carriers lacked the diversity and flair that parents craved.”
Benefits of Baby Wearing
Babywearing provides numerous benefits for both babies and babywearers. It helps foster a strong bond while offering convenience. My youngest is an especially cuddly baby, and my Lark carrier has helped me feel connected with him while balancing caring for my older kids.
For babies, the closeness to their caregiver provides comfort, warmth, and a sense of security. It also supports physical and neurological development by allowing babies to observe their surroundings at eye level, while the upright position may help with colic and reflux.
For caregivers, babywearing frees up their hands, making it easier to multitask, and its ergonomic design reduces strain on the back and arms. Babywearing also supports breastfeeding by keeping the baby close. It is an incredible way for baby’s and caregivers to bond.
Hope and Plum Lark Review: Design
The Lark is an apron-style carrier. This means that you initially put it on like an apron and fold it up. (I thought the buckles were sewn on backwards, but they are not). I sent an email to hope&plum’s customer service and heard back the next day with detailed instructions on how to use it properly!
The Lark comes in two lengths and two sizes. It is available in short (XXS to L) and long (XL to 6X). It is also available in baby (10-45 lb.) and kid (25-65 lb.) sizes.
The Lark carrier has a tall, supportive panel that is designed to grow with your child. It can be scrunched in to fit smaller babies. The baby size is recommended for babies that fit in 3-6 month clothing, but it will depend on your child’s torso length.
You need to make sure that your baby’s head clears the panel in order to be safe to use. You can schedule a free fit consult with hope&plum or ask for help in their Facebook community. I appreciate how the owners of hope&plum truly value safety for babies and a positive experience for their customers.
Additionally, the Lark straps have a cross-back design which help take some of the pressure off of your back. It has lightweight padding to keep you comfortable without overheating.
The Lark is very versatile and can be worn forwards or backwards (it also includes a chest strap for extra safety)! Furthermore, it has an elastic safety loop on the waistband, storage loops for extra webbing, and padded leg openings.
How I Use the Lark Carrier
At the time I am writing this, I have a 5 year old, 2.5 year old, and 6 month old. I bought the Lark to use with my newest baby; however, he wasn’t big enough when I first bought it. So, I tried it with my 2.5 year old.
She loves being back carried, and asks to use her carrier often. She is extremely active and holding her close in the carrier reminds me of when she was younger and is a great bonding experience for both of us.
I started using the Lark with my baby once he was 3 months old. He has always been pretty tall, so I tried it with him early; however, he wasn’t quite big enough to get a good fit until 3 months.
I tried it again when he was filling out the length of his 3-6 month clothes, and he absolutely loved it! He was fussy and crying one evening, and I put him in the Lark and he quickly calmed down and started smiling. He loves to take contact naps in his carrier.
It is the most comfortable carrier and didn’t put a strain on my back. I love how soft and lightweight it feels, while still being supportive. I also love that I can use it with both my baby and my toddler.
Hope and Plum Lark Review: Pros
Where do I begin with the Lark pros?! It honestly was difficult to narrow it down.
Compact and Comfortable
It is comfortable for both the baby and the person carrying them. It is lightweight (only one pound!) and breathable, made from natural fibers like hemp and organic cotton. Furthermore, this carrier is easy to transport and can fold into a small, compact bag like this one.
I was also very impressed by the quality of this carrier. I love sewing and used to have my own handmade children’s clothing business. Because of my background with sewing, I know what to look for when it comes to quality fabric and stitching. I was thoroughly impressed by how hope&plum pays attention to both of these important details in their production.
Company Values
hope&plum is passionate about babywearing safety, and they offer countless resources to promote safety such as through free consults and in their facebook group and Instagram.
As mentioned before, hope&plum is an ethical, woman-owned business that cares about everything from the sustainability of the materials they use to the fair treatment of their employees.
Versatility
The Lark comes in both a short and a long length and is available in both baby and kid sizes. Both sizes allow for forward and back carries. In addition, the Lark is supportive without being uncomfortable, and the baby size can work with toddlers up to 45 pounds.
Also, the Lark comes in a variety of colors and patterns, and it has a unisex design which is perfect for both moms and dads (or other caregivers)! I have the color Palm, and it’s a beautiful green neutral that goes with everything!
Easy to Use
Although it takes some practice, the Lark can also be put on without help and it is pretty easy to get on and off quickly. I am able to get my baby in forward facing without help. I’m still learning how to get my daughter into a back carry without help, and hope&plum offers lots of education videos and tips.
Nursing Friendly
Furthermore, the Lark is nursing friendly, so you can nurse your baby without taking them out of their carrier! The design allows for easy access and side straps that can be loosened for feedings.
Happy Babies
As I shared above, both my toddler and baby love this carrier. My 2.5 year old often asks to get in her carrier. She is very active, but wearing her is a time to bond and slow down. My son calms down when being worn, and I’m able to help my other kids or work on other things while he is being worn.
It’s a win for parents and a win for babies!
Hope and Plum Lark Review: Cons
While I don’t necessarily consider these cons, I do think these points are worth noting about the Lark.
Expense
The Lark ranges in price from $195-$225 for their baby carrier, and the kid carrier is priced between $215-$245. This is much pricier than a lot of carriers on the market, but it is due to the fact that hope&plum uses some of the best natural fibers to make their carriers and that they ethically craft their carriers in Minnesota. This means that their workers are paid a fair wage and work in safe working conditions.
Level of Support
The Lark is not as padded as some carriers, which might make it seem flimsy. However, in my experience, this makes it lightweight and more comfortable for babies and kids. It is breathable and comfortable because it is made from high-quality natural fibers that aren’t bulky. Due to the quality of the fabric, it actually doesn’t feel unsupportive when worn.
Age Range
I bought my Lark when my son was about a month old, and I had to wait to use it until he was bigger. hope&plum does offer some carriers that work with younger babies such as their ring sling, wrap, or Meh-Dais, but the Lark is designed for babies starting at 10 pounds.
It is best for babies in sizes 3-6 months and up, but I have talked to other moms who have the Lark and they said it really depends on your baby’s torso length. Some babies may be ready before 3 months and others may not be ready until a few months after.
Not Forward Facing
Another thing to note is that you cannot face babies forward in the Lark. However, this is intentional. The owners at hope&plum have extensively researched carrier safety, and they found that forward carriers are often too overstimulating for babies and not ergonomic for their bodies.
While the Lark should not be used forward facing, some carriers by other companies do allow for this; however, it should not be done for longer than 15 minutes at a time.
Back Carry Appearance
And finally, I love that the Lark can be worn as a back carrier. My 2.5 year old daughter loves and asks to be worn frequently as I mentioned before! However, I don’t think it is very flattering, at least on me.
Because the Lark waistband is designed to be worn at the natural waist, I find that the back carry draws more attention to my chest than I am comfortable with personally. However, this is a small price to pay for a safe, well-made, comfortable carrier. This is just my personal comfort level and not an issue with the design of the carrier.
Ways to Save at hope&plum
hope&plum does offer some larger sales throughout the year, but if you are reading this and there is not a current sale, you can use my link https://www.hopeandplum.co/THEMILLERACRES to save 10%.
Furthermore, hope&plum occasionally has almost-perfect carriers that are safe to wear but have minor imperfections. These are sold at a discounted price on their website. Just search for “almost perfect” in the search bar here.
Other hope&plum Carriers
- Ring sling
- Wrap
- Meh-Dais
- Doll carriers
hope&plum offers several other styles of carriers. Unlike the Lark, their ring sling, wrap, and Meh-Dais carriers can be used with babies starting at 7 pounds. Similar to the Lark, the Meh-Dais is available in both baby and kid sizes.
In addition, they have adorable doll carriers for children to practice baby carrying their dolls. These carriers are available in both the Lark and ring sling styles.
Other hope&plum Products
- Lark pocket
- Drool pads
- Flat bottom bag
- Hair accessories
- Fanny pack
In addition to their carriers, hope&plum have several accessories that come in matching prints to their carriers.
The Lark pocket slides onto the carrier’s waistband and is perfect for holding your phone and wallet or even a diaper and small pack of wipes. This is perfect for moms who don’t want extra bags and like to keep their hands free!
The drool pads can attach to the Lark and Meh-Dais carriers. They are easy to wash so that you don’t have to wash the entire carrier every time your baby drools!
The flat bottom bags are perfect for storing your carriers! Furthermore, hope&plum make hair accessories and fanny packs to reduce their fabric waste as a company. The fashion industry wastes an estimated 92 million tons of waste globally each year. I truly appreciate how hope&plum is seeking to limit their waste as much as possible!
Hope and Plum Lark Review: Wrapping it All Up
In conclusion, I am so impressed not only with my Lark Carrier, but also with hope&plum as a whole. Their commitment to ethical and sustainable practices is rare. Their customer service is unmatched. And their carriers are lightweight, well-made, and available in beautiful solids and prints. hope&plum is an investment that you are sure to treasure for years to come!
Save 10% at hope&plum with my link.
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