Short, Tall, Plus or Straight Size: hope&plum’s Guide to Choosing the Best Baby Carrier by Body Type

Whether you are a first time babywearer or a seasoned pro, it’s likely that you have encountered comfort or fit issues. Prospective babywearers often attribute these problems to the shape or size (or lack thereof) of their bodies, however, in many cases the baby carrier brands are the ones to blame. When creating modern baby carriers (that is, if they are even designing them in-house) many brands prioritize aesthetics and profit margins over the real and diverse needs of everyday parents…So, hope&plum said, “Hold my beer iced coffee.”

With a variety of adjustable carrier styles, made from cozy and beautiful textiles, in inclusive sizes (plus, free fit checks with our certified babywearing educators) hope&plum makes carriers for all body types and aims to make sure that all caregivers feel welcome. If you’ve been feeling frustrated or ready to throw in the towel and forsake babywearing for all time: Don’t do it! We’ve got you. Read on for in-depth sizing info and for tips to help you find the best baby carrier by body type.

Many parents only think of carrier sizing as it pertains to the size and age of their baby. However, carrier measurements are equally as important (if not more!) for the wearer. To find the baby carrier that fits your size and frame best, we can start by looking at the range of measurements on the carriers themselves: 

It’s 2026, and brands are still missing the mark when it comes to inclusive sizing. If you are on the journey to find the perfect plus size carrier and are tired of dealing with issues like “inclusive sizing” that only goes up to a size 2XL, or brands offering waistband extenders as an afterthought at an additional price, or even charging more money for a “special” larger version of their straight sized baby carrier, then we’re so glad you found us!

Our co-founders Skye and Mallory started hope and plum precisely because they couldn’t find baby carriers that fit their bodies properly.

hopeandplum carriers come in 2-3 inclusive sizes, and our Long length carriers fit a size range of XL to 6X. Because our carriers are designed with plus sized bodies in mind from the get-go, you won’t need to jump through any hoops or pay extra just to be able to wear your baby.

If you’re on the hunt for the ideal baby carrier for a petite body, it’s likely that you have already encountered these common fit issues: Rigid structure that doesn’t allow you to get a close, secure fit, a panel that is too long for your torso and not adjustable (common with waterfall style carriers), too much bulky padding, and excess length in straps and buckle webbing. We suggest a low-profile baby carrier that can be easily adjusted to your proportions.

As Hannah Montana said, “You get the bessst of both worlds...” It’s not always a compliment to be labeled as “average,” but in this case you’re in the sweet spot where most of the baby carriers that you try will work out for you after minor troubleshooting. If you are straight sized and of average height, and find that you are able to easily adjust most carriers to get a safe and comfortable fit, your decision may be influenced more by the versatility of the carrier, your baby’s age, or how easy it is to share it with your partner (more on that, later..) rather than your body type. Note: If you’re straight sized and of average height and are still encountering fit and comfort issues, our babywearing educators can help!

If you’re constantly getting asked about "the weather up there", or if you "played basketball in high school", or if you’re the parent who has to grab things from the top shelf: Then this one is for you! The most common fit concerns for tall parents are centered around torso length and the lack of sufficient length in the straps, buckle webbing, and tail fabric. We suggest styles that allow you to customize the pocket and have a long length option.

Are you sticking to one baby carrier for budget-friendly reasons or just aren’t sure that you need a second one (for now)? Then having a versatile and customizable carrier to share between caregivers is a must! If you and your partner are similarly sized, then most carriers will work for you. If you and your partner are on opposite ends of the size spectrum, then consider an easily adjustable carrier to make sharing quick and comfortable.