Which hope&plum Buckle Carrier is Best for My Baby?

You may find yourself reading this article because you have a newborn, or are expecting a baby soon (CONGRATULATIONS!) and you just purchased the Sprout Newborn Carrier. Perhaps you’re wondering when you should come back for a Lark Baby Carrier. Maybe you’re here because you have a 1 or 2 month old and you’re not sure whether you should get the Sprout Newborn Carrier (I could use this now!) or the Lark Baby Carrier (I could use this in a few months and then for a few years!). Maybe you’re just here because you like reading about babywearing! Whatever the reason, keep reading to learn about the best buckle carrier for your baby and when you should consider transitioning from the Sprout to the Lark.

The Sprout Newborn Carrier is designed with the specific size, safety, and strength needs of a newborn in mind. If you’re shopping for a baby who hasn’t been born yet, get the Sprout. If your baby is between 7 and 10 lbs, get the Sprout. If your baby is not yet in size 3-6 month clothes for length - more on this fit recommendation in the next section - get the Sprout. If you opt for the Baby Lark, you probably won’t be able to use your carrier immediately. This is fine, especially if you have a different carrier you prefer for the teeny, tiny stage. If you’re looking for a buckle carrier to wear right out of the box, though, opt for the Sprout.

The Lark Baby Carrier is designed for that next stage. It’s for babies who are a little bigger and stronger. If your baby is over 10 lbs and wearing size 3-6 month clothes for length – this means their torso is filling out 3-6 month onesies AND their legs are long enough for 3-6 month pants – you could size up to the Baby Lark. Now, you both could still happily fit the Sprout for some time after your baby hits these size milestones, but this is when your baby could start fitting in the Lark. If you’ve been happily enjoying the Sprout but notice it’s not as comfortable, first get a fit check, and then think about sizing up to the Baby Lark. If your baby is sitting unassisted and you want to try a back carry, consider getting the Baby Lark. If the bottom of the Sprout panel is in its widest setting but isn’t supporting baby from knee pit to knee pit, a Baby Lark might be more supportive and comfortable for you both.

Definitely size up to the Baby Lark if your baby is over 24 lbs and/or if the top of the Sprout panel can no longer reach to baby’s armpits. These are two safety concerns that mean you should stop using the Sprout and use a different carrier or size up to the Lark.

If your baby is over 3 months old and you’re just thinking about getting your first buckle carrier, it may be wise to skip the Sprout altogether. The Sprout Newborn Carrier is optimally designed for our smallest wearees. This doesn’t mean it won’t be comfortable for many babies throughout their first nine months, but it does mean that, if your baby is no longer in the infant stage, the Lark Baby Carrier might fit your needs better. If your baby is at least 10 lbs and wearing size 3-6 month clothes for length – this, again, means their torso is filling out 3-6 month onesies AND their legs are long enough for 3-6 month pants – get the Baby Lark.

Maybe you have tiny babies, and you can wear your Sprout safely past 12 months. This is great! Now, though, you might be wondering if you should skip the Baby Lark altogether and get the Lark Kid Carrier instead. Caution! The Lark Baby Carrier can comfortably fit many toddlers until they’re two years old or more. After all, it has a weight limit of 45 lbs. The Kid Lark, on the other hand, doesn’t start fitting kids safely until they’re wearing size 3T for length. That means they’re filling out 3T t-shirts and pants for torso and leg length. Most 12 month olds have a lot of growing to do until they get to that point. Just like purchasing a Baby Lark for a shower gift or for a newborn may result in a carrier that can’t be used for a few months, buying a Kid Lark too soon might mean you have to wait for your toddler to grow into it.

We love our buckle carriers, and we think you will too! We think all three - the Sprout Newborn Carrier, the Lark Baby Carrier, and the Lark Kid Carrier - can have their place in every family. We recommend starting with the Sprout before baby is born or right around your due date, getting the Lark Baby Carrier around 6 months, and then getting the Lark Kid Carrier between 30 and 36 months. This will allow you optimal fit and time with each carrier as your baby grows. Of course, you can combine this recommendation with other carriers or time it differently. See below for a chart and decision tree to help you shop!