Rumor Has It: LEt's Breakdown Babywearing Myths

Whether you’re rocking your first baby or you’re a pro at this whole babywearing gig, chances are you’ve heard some wild babywearing myths. 🙈 Enter the hope&plum mythbusters, ready to bust those rumors wide open! Let’s clear the air so you can feel safe, confident, and totally in the know on your babywearing journey. 💪

THE TRUTH: Holding and wearing your baby fulfills their natural need for closeness, comfort, and security. Studies show that babies who are held more tend to cry less and develop better emotional bonds with caregivers. “Our data suggest that babywearing among U.S. mothers may play a role in maternal responsiveness, an important component of the infant’s early social environment” (Little et al., 2019). Babywearing doesn’t spoil babies; it helps them feel safe and loved.

THE TRUTH: When done correctly with a proper carrier, babywearing is safe! Following the "T.I.C.K.S." or “ABC” guidelines ensure safety:

Many babywearing mishaps stem from simple user error, and sadly, unsafe practices are often promoted in ads and videos from other companies. At hope&plum, we take safety seriously. Our commitment to safe babywearing means our promotional content always features proper techniques, and we actively call in companies to raise awareness when unsafe practices appear in media.

To support your journey, we offer free fit consultations for all hope&plum carriers—whether new or pre-loved, whether it’s your first fit check or your fifth. Our team of expert educators is here to help you wear with confidence, comfort, and, most importantly, safety. 💕

THE TRUTH: Babywearing is for everyone—dads, grandparents, aunties, uncles, and every caregiver in between! At hope&plum, we design carriers with inclusivity in mind, ensuring they’re accessible for a wide range of body types. All our carriers come in at least two sizes for the wearer, so everyone can find their perfect fit. Because when we say babywearing is for everyBODY, we mean it. 💕✨

THE TRUTH: Using a carrier that supports your baby’s hips in the "M" position (where their knees are higher than their bottom) is a key factor in promoting healthy hip development. This position is especially crucial for babies at risk of hip dysplasia or developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). 

As noted by Vaidya et al. (2021), “From an orthopedic viewpoint, baby-wearing is supposed to decrease the incidence of DDH. This is because, in baby-wearing, the infant’s lower limbs are in the ‘M’ position... For prevention of DDH, this is the safest position and mimics the position of the hips during treatment.”

At hope&plum, all of our carriers are thoughtfully designed to help your baby naturally achieve that ideal "M" shape, providing orthopedically sound support for their growing hips. Because your little one’s health and comfort are always our top priorities! 💕

THE TRUTH: A well-fitted, ergonomic carrier can make all the difference, evenly distributing your baby’s weight and keeping you comfortable for extended wear. However, much like safety risks, wearer discomfort often boils down to user error. While not all carriers truly prioritize caregiver comfort, even the best-designed carriers can feel uncomfortable if not worn correctly.

At hope&plum, we put comfort at the heart of our designs. We carefully select soft yet strong fabrics and create carriers specifically engineered to distribute weight evenly across your back in a front carry. With hope&plum, you can enjoy a babywearing experience that’s as comfortable as it is safe. 💕

Little, E. E., Legare, C. H., & Carver, L. J. (2019). Culture, carrying, and communication: Beliefs and behavior associated with babywearing. Infant Behavior and Development, 57, 101320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2019.04.002

Vaidya, S., Aroojis, A., & Mehta, R. (2021). Developmental dysplasia of hip and post-natal positioning: Role of swaddling and baby-wearing. Indian Journal of Orthopaedics, 55(6). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-021-00513-3