When preparing for my daughter’s very first international trip, I did what most parents do before a big journey: I started packing. But somewhere between gathering tiny outfits, diapers, and all the other essentials that come with traveling with an infant, I realized I was missing something fairly important: a comfortable baby carrier.
I had tried several carriers before our departure, but none seemed quite right. Some were too heavy, others lacked the support I wanted, and I hadn’t found one that I could comfortably wear for an entire travel day, let alone a full day of exploring a new city with a baby.
With just days to go before our departure, my dear friend and owner of Candid Cruise and Travel, Allie Hubers, reached out with an offer. She had a gift she thought I might like to try and wanted me to share my experience with Candid Cruise readers. I was excited to discover that hope&plum had reached out to Allie and offered one of their Lark Baby Carriers for review, and Allie was kind enough to give the opportunity to me.
As an avid traveler, one of the things I have looked forward to most about becoming a mother is sharing the world with my daughter. Naturally, I want to find the best travel essentials to make those adventures a little easier, so I was more than happy to put a new carrier to the test!
First impressions: lightweight, soft, and comfortable
My first impression of the hope&plum Lark Baby Carrier was just how incredibly soft it felt. Compared to the other carriers I had tried, the fabric was noticeably softer to the touch. I was also surprised by how lightweight it was. So many of the other carriers I had tested felt heavy without necessarily offering the support I was looking for.
The Lark is designed for babies weighing between 10 and 45 pounds, with an approximate age range of 3 months to 3 years. I appreciated that it could accommodate a growing child, making it a carrier that could potentially accompany us on many adventures beyond just our first international trip as a family of three.
Initially, I wondered whether such a lightweight carrier would hold up to the demands of a busy European trip with a baby. In fact, I ended up packing two carriers for our trip, including one from another brand. Spoiler alert: we used the hope&plum carrier exclusively for the entire trip!
A carrier for the whole family
One thing I appreciated about hope&plum was how well the carrier worked for both my husband and me. He wore our daughter throughout the trip just as often as I did, and we both found it comfortable to use.
I also appreciate that hope&plum offers designs that feel aesthetically pleasing without being overly feminine or masculine. It’s a small detail, perhaps, but when both parents are sharing the job of carrying a little one, having a carrier that both enjoy wearing is a definite plus.
Another detail worth mentioning is that hope&plum is an American-made company based in Minnesota, where its carriers are sewn. The combination of soft, natural fibers and domestic manufacturing is something I particularly appreciate as a mom.
Most importantly, did my daughter like it?
For me, the most important consideration when choosing a baby carrier is how comfortable my daughter is in it. And I’ll be honest: she hasn’t always been the biggest fan of baby carriers.
She loved being in a baby wrap when she was smaller, but as she grew older, she seemed less interested in the standard carriers we had tried. I wasn’t entirely sure how she would respond to another one.
As it turned out, I didn’t have much to worry about.
Throughout our European trip, my daughter consistently took multiple naps each day in the hope&plum carrier. This was perhaps the biggest endorsement I could have asked for. It meant my husband and I could comfortably carry her through museums, explore castles, navigate cobblestoned streets, and even enjoy meals at restaurants, all while knowing she was snug and content.
Anyone who has traveled with a baby knows that a happy, comfortable little one can make all the difference in how much you enjoy a day of exploring. Having a carrier she genuinely enjoyed being in made our days so much easier!
Would I recommend hope&plum for travel?
If you’re looking for a baby carrier that can accompany you on everything from everyday outings to an international adventure, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend giving hope&plum a look.
Our Lark Baby Carrier quickly became one of the most useful items we packed for our first big international trip as a family. What began as a last-minute addition to our travel essentials ended up being something we reached for every single day.
In fact, we’re now just a week away from setting off on our second big trip as a family, and there is absolutely no question about whether the hope&plum carrier is coming along. It’s already on the packing list and ready to go next to the diaper bag!
Traveling with your children is such a gift, and I am so thankful for brands that help make these special trips easy, happy, and fun!
