Based upon my years of traveling with babies, I can confidently say that a baby carrier is an invaluable piece of baby travel gear. In fact, on my list of essential baby travel gear, a baby carrier is my #1 choice.
While I have occasionally traveled with a stroller, I have used a baby carrier for travel significantly more. I have tried many types and brands of baby carriers for travel and am happy to share my experience-based recommendations with you.
There are many reasons why I recommend a baby carrier for travel:
Firstly, a baby carrier frees up your hands, which allows you to carry other things and/or deal with your baby. This is such a major plus, especially when at the airport, maneuvering luggage, and flying with a baby. Wearing a baby carrier while traveling is especially handy when you are out sightseeing, since not all cities or attractions are stroller-friendly.
Additionally, babies love being in their mom and dad’s arms at all times, which makes naptime so much easier when on the go. After all, a happy, well-rested baby makes for good travel days. Finding the right travel baby carrier is a worthwhile use of your time!
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Best Baby Travel Carriers
I’ve prepared this list of the best travel baby carriers based on my personal experiences. My guide provides you with a clear overview of the best baby carriers for travel to help you choose the one that’s right for you.
1. LÍLLÉbaby Complete All Seasons Ergonomic 6-in-1 Baby Carrier
One of the very best baby carriers, the “All Seasons” carrier is designed for carrying your baby in a variety of different conditions and positions. The LILLEbaby Complete carrier is sturdy and well structured, and can be used in 6 different carrying styles.
With multiple pockets for storage
Comes with a sleeping hood
Has padded shoulder pads, two-way adjustable straps and lumbar support
Has adjustable head support for the baby
2. Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier
This cozy, comfy and versatile Ergobaby carrier is an all-time favorite among parents in the baby-wearing community! Made of cotton, this machine-washable carrier is very easy to clean, and is designed for babies weighing between 7 and 45 pounds, aged 0 – 48 months.
Offers inward, front-outward, hip & back carry positions
Has adjustable shoulder straps that can be worn two ways
Features include a large removable storage pouch
Has UPF baby hood for privacy and keeping your little one safe from the sun
3. Baby Tula Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier
The Baby Tula free-to-grow carrier is an ergonomically designed carrier that is made of soft, machine-washable cotton that is easy to clean. It’s long-lasting lifespan makes it perfect for carrying babies from 7 to 45 pounds without needing an infant insert.
Has a wide variety of prints
Allows you to carry your baby in a multitude of comfortable positions
Has dual adjustment padded straps for comfort
Carrier manages to grow along with the baby
4. Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Carrier
This travel baby carrier has a convertible seat design with four different carrying positions, making it one of the best baby carriers for newborns as well as for older babies.
Made of cotton and polyester, machine-wash friendly
Provides 4 carrying positions
With padded head support
Waist belt is designed to fit moms and dads of all sizes and shapes
5. Boppy Baby Carrier
Made of soft, stretchy fabric, the one-size-fits-all Boppy Baby Wrap Carrier offers wearers and babies 3 different carrying positions; newborn front face-in (legs in frog position), baby front face-in (legs out), and front face-out.
Comes with a padded waist belt and wide shoulder straps
Requires no infant insert
Comes with an integrated storage pouch for storage
Budget baby carrier for travel
6. BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini
Made of soft, breathable fabric, the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Mini is lightweight and travel-friendly, offering 2 carrying positions: face-in and face-out.
Available in 3 fabric options: 3D mesh, cotton, or 3D jersey
Designed with adjustable head support and seat for newborn comfort
Easy to put on and take off, with a flexible front section for lifting a sleeping baby
Machine-washable and perfect for air travel, fitting babies up to 12 months (7 to 24 lbs)
7. Beco Gemini Baby Carrier
A baby carrier with many carrying positions is perfect for mothers, fathers, and babies of all sizes, and that’s just what the Beco Gemini Baby Carrier offers. It is comfortable for carrying your little one in the front facing position, but also offers hip and back carrying positions for when your baby gets a little older.
Comfortable and versatile
Features adjustable straps that are easy to use
With buckles that are designed to prevent accidental opening
Use from birth without infant insert
8. Boba Wrap Baby Carrier
The stretchy baby carriers from Boba are great for supporting infants from birth up to 35 pounds. They come in a wide range of colors and patterns to let parents’ sense of style shine through while doing so!
Made out of 95% Cotton and 5% spandex
Its long wrap is warm, yet breathable, machine-washable, and stretchy
One-size-fits-all wrap
Come in a wide range of colors and patterns
9. Baby K’tan Original Baby Wrap Carrier
The Baby K’tan Baby Wrap Carrier makes sure you don’t spend even a second more fumbling and fiddling with ties, straps and rings. Pre-wrapped and available in a ton of colors and patterns, this 100% cotton carrier is designed to be as easy as a t-shirt to wear and secure babies up to 35 pounds close to your chest.
With 5 positions to try
Comes with a carry bag that converts to a sash
Machine washable
Easy to use and perfect for traveling with newborn babies
10. Boba Baby Carrier Classic
This durable carrier from Boba is perfect for parents who are looking for a high-quality yet simple strap-on-and-go baby carrier. It includes ergonomic support for the baby in a deep seat that is made with comfortable cotton fabric.
Has a detachable infant insert and hood
Comes with free waist and chest strap extenders for added flexibility
With a purse strap holder that makes sure your bag doesn’t fall off your shoulder
Has multiple pockets and zippered pockets on the waist belt
Best Baby Carrier for Traveling – Our Recommendations
As mentioned, I’ve used many different baby carriers when traveling with my kids. For instance, I have used a Baby K’Tan, Ergo Original, Ergo Performance Original with & without infant insert, Onya Baby Nexstep, LILLEBaby CarryOn Toddler Carrier, Deuter Kid Comfort III, and the Piggyback Rider. I’ve used our carriers for around the house, hiking, city sightseeing and everything in between.
Best Carrier for Infants
I do the majority of the babywearing, but my husband does it quite frequently too. I loved our Baby K’Tan when each of our kids was itty bitty and would buy it again. I didn’t use it for very long though (maybe 9 months).
Best Long-Term Baby Carrier
I am frugal by nature and also don’t like to have to carry extra pieces, plus I didn’t really love using the infant insert with our Ergo (especially when it was hot out), so if I was buying a carrier now I would probably go for one that could be used the longest with the most options.
My choice would be the Ergo Omni 360 or the LÍLLÉbaby COMPLETE. They don’t require an infant insert, they have the most carrying options and I’m familiar enough with their other products, that I know the quality would be great. Both of these options also have mesh fabric options making them some of the best baby carriers for hot weather.
Best Carrier for Older Toddlers
If carrying is still an option once your toddler is 2.5 – 3 yrs old, I would highly recommend a toddler carrier, like the LÍLLÉbaby Carryon Toddler Carrier. Though most baby carriers are rated to 45 lbs, this toddler carrier is wider and taller, making it so much more comfortable for both toddler and parent.
I’ve carried my 4 year old in my Ergo and was surprised how much more comfortable the LÍLLÉbaby Carryon Toddler Carrier was. I love being able to carry it around my waist or in my backpack and throw my toddler in it easily on-the-go. When he chooses to walk, I’m not still pushing around a stroller. I’m free to chase him!
Best Baby Carrier for Both Mom and Dad
The best baby carriers for dad are the ones that will fit both parents. While I loved the Baby K’tan, my husband and I couldn’t share it. We both found the Ergobaby carrier to be comfortable for carrying both babies and toddlers. Any of the baby carriers with adjustable shoulder straps and an adjustable waist belt will be the best baby carriers for men.
Best Baby Carrier for Air Travel
The best baby carriers for air travel are the ones that you can easily pack up. To be honest, I think any of the soft-structured carriers are a good fit for older babies and toddlers. When flying with an infant, the Baby K’tan, the BABYBJORN mini or the Ergo Embrace would all be good options.
Best Baby Carrier for Hiking
Finally, if you plan to spend a lot of time hiking with a baby or toddler, look into a hiking backpack carrier. Both of my kids were happier for so much longer in the backpack carrier. They sat up higher, could see more and were cooler.
Benefits of a Baby Carrier for Travel
I often hear from parents asking if a baby carrier or a stroller would be better for travel. In many instances I’ve found our travel baby carrier to be the clear winner. Here are the main reasons I’ve preferred to travel with one of the baby carrier instead of a travel stroller:
- Being hands free.
- The benefits of babywearing still apply on vacation.
- Your baby may sleep easier in a carrier.
- Not all attractions are stroller accessible.
- Not all cities are stroller friendly.
- You will want a baby carrier for the airplane, trust me!
Let’s get into a little more detail on some of the key parts of travelling with a baby and why you’ll want a baby carrier:
Advantages of a Baby Carrier for the Airport
I always chose to use a baby carrier at the airport (often without even bringing a stroller on our trip with us and choosing to rent baby equipment at our destination instead). It doesn’t happen all the time, but often you’ll get right through security without even taking your baby out of the carrier.
And if your baby isn’t sleeping, it’s not really a big deal to take them out if you have to. Going through security with free hands is invaluable. Plus, with a baby carrier you won’t have to completely empty a stroller to put it through the x-ray.
Benefits of a Baby Carrier for Air Travel
Every parents dream is that their baby will sleep through the flight. You’ll save your arms (and maybe even be able to hold up a book or feed yourself) if your baby falls asleep on you in the carrier.
If your baby is having trouble sleeping or it’s just not nap time, having a carrier to walk your baby around or even just to not have to hold your baby the entire time will be a lifesaver. I highly recommend a baby carrier for plane travel. Your arms will thank me!
For those moments when your little one is awake on the flight, keep them entertained with these great baby travel toys!
Advantages of a Baby Carrier for Public Transport
I have regretted taking a stroller on public transit almost every single time we tried. Either we had to fold it up, or it was too crowded on the bus or subway, or we couldn’t get it through the turnstiles. A baby carrier is so much better if you plan on getting around with public transportation.
Benefits of a Baby Carrier for Sightseeing
There are plenty of places around the world where you either cannot or will not want to use a stroller, even the most lightweight travel stroller. Having a baby carrier will mean you won’t have to miss out!
Choosing Between a Wrap and a Soft-Structured Baby Carrier
Wraps are excellent for infants and very small babies (typically from birth until about 20 lbs). They don’t require any type of infant insert. If you get a true wrap (as opposed to a carrier like the Baby k’Tan) then it’s a one size fits all. They are a soft without any buckles, like wrapping your baby in a blanket.
A wrap will require some practice to get it right. A soft-structured baby carrier can also be used from birth.
A soft structured carrier will have a much higher weight limit and some can be used into the early toddler years. Soft-structured baby carriers also have a much smaller learning curve. They’ll often have padded shoulder straps for added comfort.
You probably can do a back carry in a woven wrap, but it’s much easier to do in soft structured carriers. A carrier will also have a few pockets to carry keys, etc. Depending on who will be doing the baby carrying, dads typically prefer the carriers over wraps.
When to Choose a Ring Sling
A ring sling will be easier to put on than a wrap, as the techniques to wrap must be mastered before it’s easy to take your baby in and out. Your baby will outgrow the wrap quicker. A ring sling can still be used with a toddler. Ring slings are smaller than a wrap so can easily be put into a bag or pocket, additionally they are easier to change your baby’s position.
Considerations Before Buying a Baby Carrier
So now that I’ve hopefully convinced you that a baby carrier is a must for travel, which one should you get? The number of baby carriers to choose from can be overwhelming.
My first recommendation would be to do your research then try them out before you buy. How can you do this? See if you can borrow from a friend, visit a babywearing lending library or join a babywearing group. Alternatively, check return policies and see if you can order more than one to try before you commit.
When it comes to choosing the best baby carrier for you, these are the questions you need to ask yourself:
How long do you hope to use it for?
What age will you start using it with your baby?
How many carrying positions would you like to have?
Do you have any back, neck or shoulder issues?
How important is the fabric and/or the option to have fun patterns?
Do you plan to use it mostly in warm destinations?
What types of activities will you use for most: sightseeing or hiking?
And finally, what is your budget?
What to do if Baby Hates the Carrier?
What if you’ve bought the best baby carrier for travel you could find and your baby hates being in it. It’s true, some babies don’t like the carrier. Some babies have only a certain amount of time they will tolerate being in it. And then some babies love being in a baby carrier. All babies are different.
The best advice I can give here is to try it at home before you plan to travel with it. Then you’ll know how your baby feels before you go on your trip.
If you have an infant baby carrier or one that works for newborns, start using it right away. Regardless of when you start using your baby carrier, try using it for small stretches of time every day even just around the house, especially if your baby isn’t a fan.
If your baby is old enough, try different positions. If your baby just isn’t having it, put it away for a few weeks then try again. Babies are constantly changing!
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Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she’s helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.
