When I was creating my baby registry, I really wanted a baby carrier. I knew a baby carrier would not only be useful for at home, but it’s definitely a must-have baby travel item. While I did not know much about baby wearing, I knew that it was something that I wanted to do both at home and while traveling with my baby.
While I had learned of the many benefits to wearing my baby, I was lost as to which carrier was right for me. There are many things to consider when purchasing a baby carrier. Some of the main things to consider are:
- How long do you want to babywear?
- What type of carrier do you want?
- What carrying positions are important to you (i.e. facing out, on your back, etc)
- What type of fabric would you like it to be made of?
- Which will make the best travel baby carrier?
I needed to consider each of these for both our regular lives and for travel with a baby. Luckily for me the Omni Breeze checked all my boxes and I couldn’t be happier with my decision. The following is my honest review of the Ergobaby Omni Breeze baby carrier.
This post contains compensated links.
Key Features of the ergobaby omni carrier
Ergobaby has a nice quiz on their website that allows you to figure out which baby carrier is best for your needs. There are many different types of baby carriers so it is important to look for one that will be comfortable for you and fit your needs. Some baby carriers take a little bit more time to get used to.
The Ergobaby Omni Breeze is considered a ‘soft structured carrier’ or SSC as you may see online. Some other popular carriers are wraps, ring slings, backpack hiking carriers and hip carriers.
Weight Range
Baby carriers can get expensive so it’s important to look for a carrier with longevity. The Omni Breeze is a bit pricey, but it is worth the price because you can use it for so long. While most carriers do not start until around 12lbs, the Omni Breeze is adjustable to be used from newborn all the way to toddlers (7 – 45 lbs).
Looking for a carrier that has a higher maximum weight is also worth it. I love that the Ergobaby Omni Breeze carrier goes up to 45 lbs which means that I can easily transition between my one-year-old and three-year-old. My three-year-old now fits more comfortably in a toddler carrier but in a bind, I can easily use this baby carrier for both my baby and toddler.
Newborn Ready
Other baby carriers may require you to use an infant insert for newborns. This means purchasing an additional accessory for your baby carrier. The addition of an infant insert can also make your newborn hot if you are traveling to warm climates.
When my first baby was born, I used the Ergobaby Embrace carrier until he was about 5 months old and then transitioned to the Ergobaby 360. It would have been so nice to only invest in one carrier that fits baby for so much longer.
A nice feature of the Omni Breeze is near the hip area there are adjustable Velcro straps that are able to move based on the height of your baby. The smallest position is for a minimum of 20 inches. Stage two is for a minimum of 24 inches and stage three is for 28 inches and up. This positioning is crucial to ensure baby’s legs are comfortably in the carrier and can maintain the ergonomic position.
The Ergo Omni Breeze is a newborn ready carrier, meaning you do not need to purchase another wrap or carrier to hold your newborn safely.
Comfort
Ergobaby makes some of the best baby carriers that are comfortable for mom and baby. As I mentioned, I have also used the Ergobaby Embrace and the Ergobaby 360. The comfort level of all three baby carriers is unbelievable. I can feel a difference when walking around in other similar brands.
I have easily walked 10 km with both the 360 and the Omni Breeze and have had little to no pain while doing it, making it an excellent carrier for travel. The carrier has padded lumbar support, padded shoulder straps, and has an easy to buckle back clip.
While the padded shoulder straps makes it bulkier compared to some other carriers on the market when using it for travel or when packing it in backpack diaper bag, it is worth it for comfort on long walks.
Adjustable Size
The Ergobaby Omni Breeze has an adjustable waistband of 17.8 to 57 inches so it can easily be enjoyed between multiple caregivers. My husband has used it on many occasions and has raved about how comfortable it is.
Different Holds
Ergobaby Omni Breeze has the option for many different types of holds. For newborns and young babies, they have the option for facing inward. This position is the most comfortable for me and great for contact naps as well as breastfeeding.
Yes, you can easily nurse your baby on the go with this carrier! Just loosen the straps a bit on the side and attach your baby. The baby carrier comes with a hood to protect from the sun as well as providing a bit of privacy while nursing.
The Omni Breeze carrier is also capable of facing outward. This can be done around six months or when your baby is able to hold their head up with ease. They should also be able to clear the back panel for safety.
Some people also recommend facing outward for short periods of time so that the baby doesn’t get over stimulated. Be sure to remember that babies should not fall asleep in this position.
The Omni Breeze baby carrier is also capable of being a back carrier. This is helpful when the baby is a bit older and gets heavier. Now that my baby is one, I am utilizing back carrying when possible.
The only thing that makes it difficult is if you use a backpack style diaper bag. However, for short trips the Omni Breeze comes with a little zippered pouch that allows you to store small necessities. In this pouch I can carry a diaper, travel size wipes, a change of pants for my toddler keys, and a pouch!
Mesh Fabric
One of the most noticeable differences between the two carriers is the Soft Flex Mesh fabric. The mesh fabric covers around baby as well as around the waistbelt and lumbar support area for the carrier.
This has made a huge difference this summer while babywearing in the heat out here in Japan. I feel confident that my baby is getting the needed airflow while wearing her outside.
The Omni Carrier vs. The Ergobaby 360
While there are many similarities between the Omni Breeze and the Ergobaby 360, there are a few differences.
The transition from inward facing to outward facing is another big difference from other carriers like the Ergobaby 360. It is so much easier! There is a panel in the front that slides inward to make it more comfortable for the babies’ legs to be in the ergonomic position.
With the Ergobaby 360 carrier it is near impossible to do while the baby is in the carrier (if you forget before putting your baby in) because it is changed by two different buttons on each side. With the Omni Breeze you can do it with the baby in the carrier.
One other big difference I found between the Ergobaby 360 and the Omni Breeze that took me a while to get used to, was the way you pull the strap to tighten it. With the Ergobaby 360 you pull the strap back behind your body and the Omni Breeze pull is going forward. It is a small minor adjustment but took me some time to get used to.
I felt like I could not get it quite as tight as I wanted at the beginning but with a little practice, I am able to get a comfortable safe hold.
Pros and Cons of Babywearing for Travel
I have found a ton of benefits of babywearing and very little cons. Listed below are a few of the benefits of babywearing for travel.
Pros of Babywearing while Traveling with a Baby
Babywearing helps allow parents to attach to their babies, giving them the option to be hands free. This is especially important when both traveling and flying with a baby. You can manage your bags at security or get what you need out of your diaper bag easily.
Babywearing was such a huge way for my husband to connect with the babies when they were both born. He found it very rewarding to hold them close and felt he had a stronger connection due to babywearing. You have so many opportunities for babywearing while traveling and out sightseeing!
Babywearing makes getting around so much easier. I am currently living in Tokyo, Japan and baby wearing is a must. Between uneven sidewalks, trains, and crowded areas, babywearing is crucial to getting around easily. It has helped me in so many situations to get my kids from one place to another safely.
Babywearing helps babies practice and strengthen their head and neck control more than if they were lying in a stroller. When you are traveling, your baby doesn’t have as much opportunity to do tummy time or play time.
Babies that are in carriers can be more social. In a stroller a baby is at knee height and usually covered. When babies are in carriers, they are able to see people’s mouths while they talk, are included in conversations more, etc. Some research has found that it can help your child’s speech. When traveling, everyone will love to see your smiling baby! People around the world love babies!
As a parent of a baby in a carrier you have more control over who gets close to your baby. A person is less likely to get in your baby’s face because that would mean they have to get in your face. You are also more aware of people doing it because they are getting in your personal bubble and can make it easier for you to ask that person to give you and your baby space.
Easy access to milk and nursing can help boost your milk supply. For travel, babywearing also makes it easier so you do not have to stop so often to nurse your baby. You can just do it on the go while walking around.
Cons of Babywearing while Traveling with a Baby
The main cons I find when baby wearing is that I get very sweaty while walking which can be visible when I do take my baby down especially in hot climates. This can make it difficult especially when the baby is young and has a harder time regulating their body temperature. When your kids get a little bit older, there are ice packs and other items you can use to help cool yourself down.
Also, when they are younger (unable to sit unassisted) it can make it difficult to eat at a restaurant. This is one of those rare instances when a stroller is better than a baby carrier. Others who have a stroller available can lay their baby in the stroller and have a nice hands-free lunch without dropping food on their baby’s head. Yes, that has happened before.
It can also be a lot of carry both baby and your daily essentials (though completely possible). It’s helpful if you have a partner who can share the load and carry the diaper bag!
Ergobaby Omni Breeze Review – Final Thoughts
Overall, I highly recommend babywearing to every new parent and can happily say the Ergobaby Omni Breeze is worth every penny. This carrier has so many great things about it that would have me purchasing it again. Here are some of my favorite features that really stand out that make this carrier superior to others.
The carrier is comfortable for myself as well as my baby, especially with the Omni mesh fabric to help create airflow when in warm climates. The little pouch helps hold little things that are needed for short little trips where you might not want to carry a large diaper bag. The easy transitions between different sizes of babies as well as different positions is truly remarkable.
The Ergobaby Omni Breeze is a highly rated 4 star baby carrier for a reason. I am so happy I am able to use this carrier with my children and I recommend this carrier to all families looking to babywear.
Where to Buy the Ergobaby Omni Breeze Baby Carrier
The best place to buy the Ergobaby Omni Breeze baby carrier is direct from the Ergobaby website. You can also buy the Ergobaby Omni Breeze at Target.
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Lauren Berry
Lauren Berry is a travel enthusiast, book lover, and outdoor explorer. She is a Navy spouse living and traveling abroad. She enjoys sharing her love of travel with her young children.
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.
