Introducing The Sprout: Everything You Need to Know About Our Newborn Baby Carrier
hope&plum is overjoyed to introduce you to our brand-new product: the Sprout Newborn Carrier! After the overwhelming success of the Lark Baby Carrier, we knew we had to bring you a similar buckle carrier that is equally as comfortable and easy to use, but specifically designed with newborn needs in mind. The Sprout offers just as many snuggles in a smaller package. Read on to learn more about our new newborn baby carrier or check out this article to see why we just needed to create the Sprout.
TL;DR:
The Sprout is an apron-style, crossback buckle carrier designed with newborn safety needs in mind.
Its weight range is 7-24 lbs, and it should provide a safe and comfy fit from birth for most babies.
It comes in two size-inclusive lengths for caregivers.
The Sprout is made from machine-washable, natural, woven fabrics that are lightweight and breathable and mold to comfortably fit you and your baby.
It is designed for front, caregiver-facing carries only.
Table of Contents
The Basics
What is the Sprout Newborn Carrier?
The Sprout Newborn Carrier, much like our beloved Lark Baby Carrier, is an apron-style carrier with crossback straps. It’s a soft-structured carrier with a body panel, waistband, and two shoulder straps. The Sprout is made with the same quality natural fibers as the Lark, which means it’s offered in the same beautiful, versatile, and stylish colors and patterns.
Where did the name “Sprout” come from?
Naming this carrier took longer than we'd like to admit. Lots of debates. Lots of back and forth. Pages of names that almost worked but didn't quite fit. We knew we didn't want "Newborn Lark". This isn't a smaller version of the Lark. It's inspired by all our favorite things about the Lark, but it's a distinct carrier built for those tiny new days.
We wanted to focus on the beginning of life. That brief, fleeting moment when your baby is still so impossibly small. When every day feels enormous and time moves differently. We wanted a name that honored that stage without trying to make it something it's not. It's the beginning of something. Small, compact, perfect for this exact stage.
So: Sprout. The name that kept coming back, designed over months, built to hold your brand-new human during their very first adventure.
Is the Sprout for Me?
Do you have a newborn or infant? Then the Sprout Newborn Carrier is for you! The Sprout, like our other carriers, is for all parents and caregivers! We offer two inclusive sizes- reflecting our core value that babywearing is for everyBODY. The crossback straps allow for independence and ease in getting baby snuggled into the carrier. Whether you’re at home or on the go, whether you like trips to the mall or trips to the hiking trails, or whether you think you’ll wear baby for quick ups or plan to live in the carrier all day, every day, the Sprout is for you!
The Sprout is also designed for all types of babywearers, from beginners to seasoned snugglers. Its intuitive design allows new babywearers to feel like experts in no time. If you already have carriers you know and love, the Sprout is still for you! It offers the snuggly, soft closeness of wraps, ring slings, and meh dais, but the ease of use and speediness of a buckle carrier.
What Makes the Sprout Different?
What makes the Sprout different from other newborn buckle carriers?
The Sprout is made from high-quality natural fabrics that are super soft out of the box. We’ve opted for woven fabrics over stretchy fabrics, so the Sprout will feel supportive and comfortable for baby and caregiver. Since there’s no padding in the panel, the Sprout will mold to fit you and your baby like a glove. The apron-style waistband allows for a comfortable fit, free from bulk. You can position your baby at different heights on your torso as they grow. You can also sit easily and comfortably, and, if you’re a birthing parent, the Sprout will be comfortable and safe to wear while your postpartum body changes.
The crossback straps distribute baby’s weight evenly across your back, without putting strain on your shoulders or hips. This design also eliminates the hard-to-grab back strap you have to use in H-back carriers, which makes it super easy to put on by yourself.
The Sprout does not have a panel extender like some other newborn buckle carriers. These supposedly help support a new baby’s head, but, in reality, they create unnecessary risk because they make it easier to hide baby’s face and precious airway with the carrier. We know that a carrier like The Sprout that is designed to support a newborn’s natural, C-shape also supports baby’s trunk, neck, and head - no extra pieces needed!
Like all of our carriers, the Sprout was made with inclusivity in mind. It comes in two sizes to fit a range of caregiver bodies. More on that below!
Is the Sprout size-inclusive?
Yes! It’s so important to us that babywearing is for everyBODY. Like the Lark, the Sprout comes in two lengths, Short and Long. Short fits people who wear sizes XXS to L, and Long first those who wear sizes XL to 6X. All of these sizes refer to a woman’s fitted t-shirt. Each Sprout is adjustable to give every caregiver a comfy fit!
Does the Sprout have padding?
Only some lightweight padding in the waistband! Since it’s designed for our smallest wearees, we opted to skip the padding in the panel and shoulder straps on the Sprout to give you and your baby a close and comfy fit. You’ll find that, with our wide, crossback straps that distribute the weight evenly across your back, you won’t need any padding to get a safe and snuggly fit with your infant.
What makes the Sprout different from the Lark?
The Lark does have lightweight cotton padding in the panel, waistband, shoulder straps, and baby’s leg area, whereas the Sprout only has padding in the waistband. The Lark’s shoulder straps are made to fold in for an H-back style back carry, while the Sprout’s straps should always lie flat and wide across your back since it is not designed for a back carry. Also, you’ll notice the Sprout does not come with the removable chest strap that is packaged with each Lark. The chest strap is only used for a back carry in the Lark and, as the Sprout does not back carry, it doesn’t come with or have any of the slots to fit a chest strap.
Check out the chart below or read more in this blog post about the best buckle carrier for each age and stage:
Feature |
Lark |
Sprout |
Waistband |
Apron Style |
Apron Style |
Shoulder Straps in a Front Carry |
Crossback |
Crossback, optimal spread |
Panel Height |
17" |
13.5” |
Seat Width |
Adjustable from 5" to 14.5" |
Adjustable from 5” to 15.25” |
Caregiver Sizing |
Short: 23"-45" waistband (best fits sizes XXS-L) Long: 30"-65" waistband (best fits sizes XL-6X) |
Short: 23"-45" (best fits sizes XXS-L) Long: 30"-65" (best fits sizes XL-6X) |
Weight Range |
10-45 lbs |
7-24 lbs |
Fabric |
Natural fibers with lightweight padding in the panel, shoulder straps, and waistband |
Natural fibers, lightweight padding in the waistband only |
Safety & Features
What is the weight range of the Sprout?
The Sprout can be worn safely with babies who are between 7 and 24 lbs.
What makes the Sprout safe and comfortable for newborns?
The Sprout was designed with a newborn’s specific strength, size, and safety needs in mind:
The panel height and foldable top allow for babies wearing newborn clothes to fit safely. When properly positioned and tightened in the Sprout, most babies who are at least 7 lbs and wearing size NB clothing should be tall enough to have their earlobes visible over the top of the panel.
The seat width can be cinched in along the waistband so that most babies who are at least 7 lbs and wearing size NB clothes can be worn safely with the panel supporting them from knee to knee and not over-extending their legs.
The crossback shoulder straps allow for a personalized fit each time, encouraging caregivers to be attuned to the needs of their growing infant.
When can I start wearing my newborn in the Sprout?
You can start wearing your newborn in the Sprout when they are at least 7 lbs and wearing size NB clothing. Make sure your baby hits these safety checkpoints when you set up your carrier:
Close enough to kiss - when properly positioned and tightened, the Sprout should support your baby in an upright position so that their head is close enough for you to kiss with a gentle bend of your neck
Baby’s earlobes over the top of the panel - the top of the panel on the Sprout should come no higher than baby’s earlobes
Baby’s legs are supported from knee to knee - the bottom of the panel on the Sprout should be adjusted to support baby from knee pit to knee pit. The panel should not extend past baby’s knees.
If the Sprout is properly positioned and tightened, but you can’t check off all of those safety guidelines, your baby may be too small. Try again in a few days or schedule a one-on-one fit check to optimize your fit. Read more about newborn safety in all carriers in our comprehensive newborn blog post.
Can I wear my toddler in the Sprout?
That depends! The weight limit on the Sprout is 24 lbs. Most babies will hit this before they turn one. If your toddler is 24 lbs or under, make sure the panel of the Sprout still comes up at least to their armpits. Even if they haven’t outgrown the Sprout by weight, it’s unsafe to keep wearing if the panel no longer comes up to their armpits. If the panel is too short, your toddler can arch themselves back and right out of the carrier. Also, if their knees are extending far beyond the width of the panel, it may be more comfortable for both of you to invest in a wider carrier like the Baby Lark. You can read our article about when to switch to the Baby Lark or read our comprehensive toddler carrier guide.
Can I back carry in the Sprout?
No, you can’t back carry in the Sprout. The Sprout is only designed for front, caregiver-facing carries. If your baby is sitting unassisted, you can try a back carry in the Lark or meh dai!
Can I wear my baby facing out/world-facing in the Sprout?
No, you can’t wear your baby facing out in the Sprout. While some carriers allow for world-facing, we prefer to keep babies facing their caregivers. We wrote a full blog post on this, but here's a quick summary behind our reasoning: We find world-facing can get uncomfortable quickly for both baby and caregiver, it doesn’t allow babies to self-regulate when they’re feeling overstimulated, and it’s not safe to keep a sleeping baby in. Plus, you should never world-face an infant who can’t hold their head up since it’s harder to monitor a baby’s airway in this position. For all those reasons, we designed the Sprout for front, caregiver-facing carries only. If baby is curious to look at the world when being worn, you can try a hip carry in our ring sling or a back carry in a Lark or meh dai.
Can I feed my baby in the Sprout?
Yes! You can nurse or bottle feed your baby while in the Sprout. It may take some practice and extra support, but the general idea is to loosen the carrier enough to bounce baby down to a good feeding level, do your thing, and then tighten them back up. Tightening them back up when you’re done is the most important part since that gets them back to a high, tight, and safe position. Read more about feeding babies in all carriers here.
Is the Sprout breathable?
Yes! All of our natural fabrics are soft and light, appropriate for wearing in hot and humid weather (or with babies or parents who tend to run hot in any weather…we’ve been there!)
Care & More!
How do I wash my Sprout?
It’s machine-washable! We’re parents, too, so we get it—you need something you can throw in the washer with no worry because blowouts, spit-up, and spills are bound to happen. We got you! Be sure to wash on a cold, gentle cycle using liquid detergent that is free of brightening agents. You can also spot-clean the Sprout as needed with a mild detergent.
When will my favorite color or pattern restock?
We do rolling restocks! This means we restock whenever we get more fabric in and can sew more carriers. Our talented local seamstresses are working hard to provide restocks to our community regularly. Be sure to sign up for our notifications via email so you don't miss out!
Why does the Sprout cost what it does?
As a woman-and mom-owned business, we’re committed to sustainability and fair work practices throughout our entire supply chain. That means all of our carriers, including the Sprout, are made in Minnesota, USA by seamstresses who receive an ethical, living wage.
That means our carrier may cost a little bit more than others you’ve seen—but you can rest assured that that’s because of both our ethics and the quality of our carriers.
That being said, the Sprout is designed to be well-loved during baby’s first months. We’ve tried to reflect this in its price and believe that when you order the Sprout, you’ll be getting a high-quality safe, comfortable, and stylish newborn carrier that’s worth it!
Now that you know more about the Sprout, it’s time to find one that fits your personality. Head on over to our collection page, find the Sprout that speaks to you, and order one today to start those safe and comfy newborn snuggles as soon as possible!
Meet the Author
Jenn Tolisano
Jenn Tolisano has been a babywearing educator for over ten years. Working as a high school teacher before entering the world of motherhood, she has brought her passion for education to all things baby carriers. Babywearing has been such an essential parenting tool in her household that she wants to spread the babywearing love to all families. Jenn believes that every caregiver deserves to have a baby carrier they love and feel comfortable and confident in. She hopes that her fit checks and blog-writing with hope&plum help to achieve that goal!
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