Which is the Best Baby Carrier? hope&plum’s Guide to Babywearing by Activity
The Lark is our “best” baby carrier. It’s the most popular for a reason. The Lark is our most versatile carrier that will work for most families in almost every situation. It offers two-shoulder support and is quick and easy to put on. It works for both front and back carries. Plus, we have two sizes for your kid (Baby Lark and Kid Lark) and two sizes for you (Short Length and Long Length). However, it doesn’t fit small babies and, if you’re looking to hip carry, we’d recommend our ring sling instead. Many of our community members find that different activities call for different baby carriers. Read on to find out which baby carrier is best for each situation.
THE SHORT VERSION
- The Lark is our most versatile carrier and a great fit for most families. But different activities call for different carriers!
- For snuggles and feeding, ring slings and baby wraps give you a cozy, custom fit every time.
- Buckle carriers like the Lark and Sprout are your best bet for household tasks, exercise, hiking, and travel.
- Ring slings are perfect for quick ups and downs like shopping trips, car-to-store transitions, and beach days.
- Want to make a statement? Ring slings and meh dais bring beautiful movement and drama for weddings and photo shoots.
- Safety first: skip the carrier for activities that need helmets, seatbelts, or life jackets, and avoid motorized equipment.
Best Baby Carrier By Activity
The best baby carrier for you depends on what you plan do to while babywearing. Use the box below to explore some typical activities many caregivers do while babywearing. Each one has some suggestions for the best baby carrier activity companion.
Find Your Match
What are you doing today?
Tap an activity to see your perfect carrier pick.
Best Carrier For
Snuggling Your Baby
Our top pick: the Ring Sling. You get a custom fit every time, so it molds to you and baby for cozy snuggles. For newborns and tiny babies, a Baby Wrap gives that same snug-and-comforting feel.
Best Carrier For
Naps & Sleep on the Go
The Lark wins for naps. Two-shoulder support spreads baby's weight evenly, so you can sit, sway, or stroll without wearing yourself out. For newborns, reach for the Sprout, our buckle carrier sized just for tiny humans.
Best Carrier For
Shopping & Errands
The Ring Sling is your errand MVP. Lightning-fast on and off, easy car-to-store transitions, and ready to snuggle a fussy baby the second they need it. Planning a longer trip? Grab a Lark for two-shoulder support.
Best Carrier For
Feeding on the Go
The Ring Sling shines for feeding. It's super quick to shift from a high snuggle to a lowered feeding position without ever taking baby out. For older babies and toddlers, the Lark works great too.
Best Carrier For
Cleaning & Chores
Buckle up, literally! The Lark (or Sprout for newborns) gets you hands-free in under a minute. Vacuum, fold laundry, prep dinner, dust those baseboards you've been ignoring. Once baby can sit unassisted, switch to a back carry to free up even more space.
Best Carrier For
Walks & Light Exercise
Walking, power walking, dancing, light strength training, gentle yoga: the Lark handles it all. Two-shoulder support, minimal fabric, no chafing. For newborns, the Sprout is your match.
Best Carrier For
Sporting Events
Watching the big game or tagging along to a sibling's practice? The Lark (or Sprout for newborns) keeps baby contained and comfy for the whole game. Sitting in the stands? Front carry is your friend! That apron-style waistband makes seating feel effortless.
Best Carrier For
Hiking & Outdoor Adventures
The Lark (or Sprout for newborns) is built for the trail. Two-shoulder support, minimal fabric (read: less dirt and sweat to worry about), and organic natural fibers that breathe even on a sticky hike.
Best Carrier For
Travel & Flying
Flying with a baby? The Lark and Sprout are your best friends. No metal parts (hello, easy TSA checkpoints), super easy to slip baby in and out while seated, and they pack down small. For newborns, the Baby Wrap is just as plane-friendly and ultra-snuggly.
Compare Carriers
Maybe you already have a carrier in mind and you're wondering if they'll fit your needs. Check out the chart below to see if the carrier of your dreams will work out in real life.
Carrier Comparison
Carriers at a Glance
Five styles. One perfect match for you.
Lark Baby Carrier
Most VersatileOur most popular pick. Buckles up fast, supports front and back carries, and works for almost every situation.
Sprout Newborn Carrier
Best For NewbornsBuckle ease, sized for the tiniest humans. No bulky inserts, no learning curve — perfect for those early weeks.
Ring Sling
Quick & EasyThe MVP for errands and feeding. Custom fit every time, fast on/off, and beautiful enough for special occasions.
Baby Wrap
Cozy SnugglesA long stretch of fabric for the snuggliest newborn cuddles you've ever felt. Worth the learning curve.
Meh Dai
Flexible FitA tie-on carrier that adjusts to your body every time. Beautiful for photos, supportive for daily wear.
Babywearing Activity Safety
You can use your baby carrier to hold your baby close while doing so much! You’ll find a list below of safe activities while babywearing and activities you should never do while wearing your baby. Keep in mind, this list is not exhaustive:
Safety First
When to Skip the Carrier
A quick check before you babywear.
If the activity normally needs a helmet, seatbelt, or life jacket — skip the carrier. If it uses motorized equipment — also skip the carrier.
Carrier-Friendly
- Cleaning & chores
- Walking & hiking
- Yoga & gentle movement
- Food prep (no open heat)
- Shopping & errands
- Travel & flying
- Wading (hip-deep max)
- Sporting events
Skip The Carrier
- Riding a bike
- Driving a car
- Mowing the lawn
- Cooking with heat
- Swimming
- Boating or kayaking
- Running or jumping
- Lifting weights overhead
Not sure if your activity is carrier-safe? When in doubt, take baby out.
Ask Our Team
Best Baby Carrier FAQ
What is the best baby carrier for everyday use?
The Lark is our most versatile carrier and the one we recommend for everyday use. It's quick to put on, easy to adjust, and offers two-shoulder support for both front and back carries. It works great for everything from household chores to walks to working from home.
Which baby carrier is best for newborns?
For newborns, we love the Sprout Newborn Carrier and the baby wrap. The Sprout gives you the ease of a buckle carrier sized specifically for small babies, while the baby wrap offers a snug, cozy fit that's perfect for those early snuggles. The ring sling is also a wonderful option from day one.
Can I exercise while babywearing?
Yes, with some guidelines! Light to moderate cardio like walking, power walking, and dancing are great in a Lark or Sprout. Light strength training and yoga work well too. Just avoid heavy weights above shoulder height, laying down, and high-impact activities like running or jumping. Always listen to your body and follow your healthcare team's guidance.
What is the best baby carrier for hiking?
Buckle carriers like the Lark and Sprout are ideal for hiking. They distribute weight evenly across both shoulders, have minimal fabric to keep clean, and are made with natural fibers to help you stay cool on the trail. Once your baby can sit unassisted, a back carry in the Lark is a great option too.
Which baby carrier should I use for travel?
The Lark and Sprout are our top picks for flying. They have no metal parts, so you can wear them through most security checkpoints. They're also easy to use while seated on a plane. For road trips, keep a ring sling handy for quick transitions at rest stops.
Can I take my baby carrier in the water?
You can wade with a light-colored, hemp blend ring sling. It dries fast and the colors won't run in fresh, salt, or chlorinated water. Keep baby in a front or hip carry and don't go deeper than your hips. We don't recommend swimming in any carrier. Always rinse with fresh, cold water afterward.
What activities should I avoid while babywearing?
Skip the carrier for anything that would normally require a helmet, seatbelt, or life jacket. That includes biking, driving, swimming, boating, and mowing the lawn. Cooking with heat is also a no. A good rule of thumb: if the activity needs extra safety gear without a baby, it's not safe with one either.
Which baby carrier is best for a wedding or photo shoot?
Ring slings and meh dais are beautiful choices for special occasions. The flowing tail of a ring sling and the long shoulder straps of a meh dai create gorgeous movement and allow for some really stunning fancy finishes. They photograph well and feel special while still being fully functional carriers.
Let's Find Your Match
The right carrier makes everything easier.
Not sure where to start? Take our 2-minute carrier quiz and we'll match you with the perfect carrier for your family. Or jump straight in and browse them all.
hope&plum is here to help — every step of the way.
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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