Jul 16, 2026Baby Carrier Tips

hope&plum's Guide to the Benefits of Babywearing

What are the benefits of babywearing? Babywearing means carrying your baby against your body in a soft carrier, wrap, or sling. It keeps your baby close and your hands free.

Research shows babywearing can support nursing, help your baby cry less, grow their brain, and build a strong bond. Below are six research-backed benefits, plus a quick guide to help you find the right carrier.

Bonding Nursing Hands-free

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A white plus size woman babywearing in a hope&plum meh dai

At hope&plum, we offer our community functional, high-quality baby carriers that are comfortable for both you and your babe. The healthy mental, emotional, and physical development of babies is dependent on forming a loving bond with their parents and babywearing is a crucial step in the right direction. Our products allow you to confidently approach each day with the knowledge that you can bond with your baby and get things done. Our passionate team of moms is here to educate and empower you every hands-free step along the way. Don't take our word for it! Read on for some research-backed benefits of babywearing.

THE SHORT VERSION

👶 Babywearing builds a stronger bond. Keeping your baby close helps you learn their cues and respond to their needs. That closeness builds the secure attachment babies need to grow and thrive.
🤱 It supports nursing success. Parents who babywear are twice as likely to still be nursing at five months. Being close to you stimulates milk production and helps you spot hunger cues early.
🧠 Your baby learns more when they're worn. Babywearing gives your baby a front-row seat to your day. The conversations, sights, and sounds all around them support brain development and social skills.
😊 Worn babies cry less and smile more. Research shows babies who are held more cry up to 43% less during the day. Being close to you helps them feel safe and calm.
✅ You can bond and get things done. A carrier keeps your baby happy and your hands free, whether you are chasing older kids, doing chores, or just getting out of the house.
💪 The health benefits are real. Skin-to-skin contact helps regulate your baby's temperature, heart rate, and sleep. It lowers stress for parents too.

The Top Six Benefits of Babywwearing Carrier Choice Chart Benefits of Babywearing FAQ References Meet the Author

The Top Six Benefits of Babywwearing

You may have heard about babywearing, but figure you have your carseat and your stroller. Why do you need even more baby gear? Discover below how babywearing can help you, your baby, and your whole family thrive.

A white straight size woman nursing her baby in a hope&plum soft baby wrap

2xmore likely to still be nursing at 5 months

Parents who wear their babies are twice as likely to still be nursing at five months. Holding your baby close helps your body make more milk, and you can catch hunger cues faster, so nursing gets easier over time (Brennan, 2021). Also, once you get the hang of it, nursing babywearers can feed their little ones on the go. This gives you more freedom and more flexibility. In the end, it gives you and baby a greater chance of nursing success! See how to feed your baby in any of our carriers.

A white plus size woman wears her baby on her front in a hope&plum Bloom Lark. Her baby points to the side, and she looks with happy surprise.

When you wear your baby, they hear more of your words and see more of your world. Talking to your baby is one of the best things you can do for their growing brain (Medina, 2014). Every walk, chore, and chat gives them new sights, sounds, and smells that support learning and social skills (Poinsett, 2021). Compare that with the amount of interaction babies in strollers get, especially as they get older and face away from their caregivers. When you think about it, you'll be reaching for the baby carrier more and more!

A BIPOC plus size woman looks down and embraces her infant worn on her front in a hope&plum Sprout Newborn Carrier

Babies need a close, loving bond to thrive. Wearing your baby helps you learn their cues and respond fast, so you get to know them inside and out. If you're a birthing caregiver, wearing your newborn will feel as close to being back in the womb as you can get. If you're a non-birthing caregiver, babywearing gives your newborn a chance to get to know you: your breath, your heartbeat, and your scent.

A BIPOC straight size woman looks down as she rolls our dough on the counter while wearing her baby in a hope&plum ring sling.

If you are newly postpartum, use babywearing first as a bonding tool, not a way to boost productivity. When you are ready, a carrier lets you keep your baby close while you get things done. Chores, work, and caring for older kids all get easier when your hands are free. Bonus: your big kids get more of your time, energy, and hugs, too.

A close up of a newborn sleeping on their caregiver's bare chest while being worn in a hope&plum Celeste ring sling.

Skin-to-skin contact, sometimes called kangaroo care, is great for both of you. It can help your baby gain weight, sleep better, and build a stronger immune system. It also steadies their temperature, heart rate, and breathing, and helps you both relax. It's true that you can enjoy skin-to-skin with or without a carrier. When you add the carrier in, skin-to-skin becomes an easy, second-nature part of your day.

A BIPOC straight size woman looks off in the distance while smiling. She wears her toddler on her back in hope&plum Kid Lark. He holds a baseball out and smiles in the same direction.

43%less crying by day · 51% less at night

Babies who are held more are calmer and happier because they feel safe. Your heartbeat, warmth, and smell all soothe them. One study shared by WebMD found that held babies cry 43% less during the day and 51% less at night (Brennan, 2021). That less stress for them and more rest for you. No wonder people have worn their babies for thousands of years!

Carrier Choice Chart

Now that you've read all about why babywearing is so great, you probably want to start your babywearing journey right away! Click through the guide below to find out important info about all of our carriers.

Quick Reference Carrier Guide at a Glance Tap a carrier to see its weight range, age recommendation, sizes, and what it is best for.

A white straight size woman smiles at the camera while embracing her baby worn on her front in a hope&plum Flor Sprout.

Newborn Sprout Newborn Carrier Quick and easy newborn snuggles, no bulky inserts required.

Weight7-24 lbs

AgeNewborn to infant

Caregiver SizesXXS-6X · Short or Long

"A newborn carrier without weird, bulky inserts AND it's easy to put on alone." Anna C.

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A plus size white woman wears her baby in a hope&plum Anemone Baby Lark.

Baby & Toddler Baby Lark Dual shoulder support in a quick, easy buckle carrier that grows with your baby.

Weight10-45 lbs

Age3 mo to toddler

Caregiver SizesXXS-6X · Short or Long

"I am so happy about this carrier! Only regret is that I tried it after other carriers. I should have just gotten the Lark initially." Tricia M.

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A close up of a a hope&plum fete ring sling worn by a straight size BIPOC caregiver with a long tail.

All Ages Ring Sling Quick snuggles, quick ups, and quick downs from birth through preschool.

Weight7-35 lbs

AgeNewborn to toddler

Caregiver SizesXXS-6X · 3 lengths

"I was nervous to start using it because it's a different carrier than I'm used to, but I'm now able to use it with ease." Hannah G.

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A close up of a hope&plum Medley baby wrap worn by a BIPOC straight size caregiver.

Newborn Baby Wrap A cozy, cuddly, personalized fit for newborns and infants.

Weight7-35 lbs

AgeNewborn to infant

Caregiver SizesXXS-6X · Short or Long

"My baby falls asleep every time we use it." Suzanne G.

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All Ages Meh Dai Maximum versatility and longevity for the long haul of babywearing.

Weight7-45 lbs

AgeNewborn to toddler

Caregiver SizesXXS-6X · Short or Long

"I wish I would have gotten a meh dai a long time ago. My baby is now 1 and we love this for naps. It is so supportive." Hannah H.

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Toddler & Kid Kid Lark Toddler and little kid support for when they still need to be carried.

Weight25-65 lbs

AgeToddler to little kid

Caregiver SizesXXS-6X · Short or Long

"Wore my 20 month old to the vet today and was able to hold onto two 60 lb dogs without worrying about my toddler. Such a game changer!" Kylee H.

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Not sure which one is right for you? Take the Find Your Perfect Carrier quiz

Benefits of Babywearing FAQ

What are the main benefits of babywearing?

Babywearing offers a wide range of benefits for both baby and parent! Research shows it supports nursing success, promotes bonding, boosts your baby's happiness, and even enhances learning and brain development. Practically speaking, it also frees up your hands so you can tackle your to-do list while keeping your baby close and content.

Does babywearing actually help with nursing?

Yes! Studies show that parents who babywear are twice as likely to still be nursing at five months postpartum. The physical closeness stimulates milk production and helps you pick up on your baby's hunger cues faster — both of which are key to long-term nursing success.

How does babywearing support my baby's development?

Babywearing gives your baby a front-row seat to your daily life — the sights, sounds, smells, and conversations all around them. This constant stimulation supports brain development, social skills, and sensory growth. Research even suggests that talking to your baby is one of the most powerful things you can do for their developing brain.

Does babywearing reduce crying?

It really can! One study found that babies who are held more cry 43% less during the day and 51% less at night. Being close to a caregiver — hearing your heartbeat, feeling your warmth, smelling your familiar scent — is naturally soothing for babies.

Is babywearing safe for newborns?

Absolutely, as long as you use an appropriate carrier for your baby's age and weight. Carriers like the Sprout Newborn Carrier and baby wrap are designed specifically for newborns starting at 7 lbs. If you're newly postpartum, it's especially recommended to use babywearing primarily as a bonding tool in those early weeks.

What type of baby carrier should I choose?

It depends on your baby's age, weight, and your lifestyle! For quick newborn snuggles, a baby wrap or ring sling is ideal. If you want something that grows with your baby from infancy through toddlerhood, a meh dai or the Baby Lark are great options. For bigger kids, the Kid Lark supports toddlers and little ones up to 65 lbs.

Ready to get closer? Find the carrier that fits your family Every hope&plum carrier is made for real bodies and real life, sized XXS to 6X with no extenders needed. Keep your baby close and your hands free. We will help you find your fit.

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References

Brennan, D. (2021, March 10). What You Should Know About Baby Wearing. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/baby/what-is-baby-wearing,

Medina, J. (2014). Brain rules for Baby: How to raise a smart and happy child from zero to five. Pear Press.

Poinsett, P. M. (2021, May 13). 21 Benefits of Babywearing (Reasons to Wear Your Baby). Mom Loves Best. https://momlovesbest.com/benefits-of-babywearing .

Meet the Author

Woman standing and smiling with her hand on her hip..

Skye Amundsen

Skye Amundsen is the co-founder of hope&plum and a mom of four. She's been obsessed with babywearing since her first baby and built this brand to make it easier, more inclusive, and a lot more fun for everyone who comes after her.

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A straight size BIPOC woman looks down at a baby worn on her front in a hope&plum Baby Lark and wears a big kid on her back in a Kid Lark

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