Sharing is caring!

Last Updated on December 30, 2023 by Natalie

It isn’t a secret that I love babywearing. I knew even while pregnant that I wanted to wear my babies because it seemed so easy. Guess what? It did make my life so much easier. Especially when my second baby was born and my oldest was only 12 months old! Naturally, when we started traveling, I continued to use my baby carriers. They were so helpful on our first international flight when my younger child (age 3) was vomiting all night before our flight. She slept in the carrier during our layover. For a long time, I always flew with my travel baby carrier and our car seats. It was totally worth it! How do you find the best baby carriers for travel?

Best Baby Carriers for Travel

I’ve done a lot of baby wearing and even dabbled for a short time in teaching baby wearing to other moms. I loved baby wearing for getting through my daily life, especially when I had two kids ages 13 months and newborn! We used our baby and toddler carriers for several years while traveling, too. I couldn’t have done it without that extra tool.

Disclaimer

Blissmersion is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain contain affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, I’ll receive a commission.

Looking for the best baby carrier for airplane travel? Try this one!

Table of contents provided for ease of use for this guide.

Best Travel Baby Carrier 2024

Read about plus size carriers, including carrier sizes and how they fit adults. If you want to know all about toddler carriers, check out the best toddler carriers for travel guide! Before using, check your local area for a babywearing group who can help you troubleshoot, if needed.

Additionally, if you’re traveling with baby, you may want to invest in a portable baby travel crib.

→ Should you travel with your baby?

Best Baby Carriers for Air Travel

My preference goes to baby carriers that have mesh, even though I lived in Ohio, which has cold winters. Why? Wearing babies can get hot, especially in the summer. If you’re also planning to travel with said carrier to a hot climate, you’ll be so happy to have that mesh.

In the winter time, I dressed my babies in warm clothes and put them in the carrier in those warm clothes and a hat, but no heavy coat. Then, I used a jacket or blanket around all of us, keeping everyone toasty warm. It’s easier to add layers as needed in cold weather than to take layers away when it’s hot.

Here are some helpful tips for baby wearing safely.

Baby carriers are great any time of the year and especially while traveling. Sometimes, babies don’t want to be in their travel stroller, so it’s good to have another option.

→ For some fun activities you can do on the road or at home, try some baby gymnastics activities!

Gemini Performance Baby Carrier By Beco

Hands down, this is my favorite baby carrier. The Beco Gemini is wonderful because you don’t need to purchase a separate infant insert. You can also cross the straps in the back or wear them straight (like a backpack), giving options for “picky” backs (I love that is has an option since I have a picky back sometimes). There are four carrying positions: facing in, facing out, hip, and back carry. Additionally, the Gemini can be used from 7- 35 lbs (3.5 kg – 16 kg), so you can keep on wearing with this carrier until you’ve reached the upper limit. This is one of the easiest carriers to use and it’s also quite comfortable, due to the padding on the straps. This carrier also comes in full panel, if needed.

Best for: Overall ease and comfort, hot weather

 

Baby Tula Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier

Tula carriers are really popular. While they never worked quite right for me, they just might end up being the best baby carrier for you and your baby. There’s a reason they are so popular; they make a good carrier! This one also doesn’t need an infant insert and you can use it from 7 – 45 pounds (3.5 kg – 20.4 kg). It offers two positions: facing in on the front and facing in on the back (restrictions apply to back wearing, see product’s user manual). This is a great option for many years of baby and toddler wearing.

Best for: Multiple adjustment options, Length of use (up to 45 lbs/20.4 kg)

 

LÍLLÉbaby  COMPLETE Airflow SIX-Position 360° Ergonomic Baby & Child Carrier

The LÍLLÉbaby Complete Airflow 360° has six official positions, including front, forward facing, hip, and back, making it quite versatile. It also has breathable mesh, nicely padded straps, and it joins the club of NOT needing a separate infant insert. It has some great features, too, including two pockets and (removable)  lumbar support. It’s one of the only carriers with that option. Babies from 7 lbs – 45 lbs (3.5 kg – 20.4 kg) can be worn in this carrier, making it another good investment.

Best for:  Lumbar support, 6 positions, hot weather, longevity

 

Boba 4G Carrier

The Boba 4G carrier is a popular choice, too. It has two carrying positions and an integrated infant insert (nothing additional to buy). The Boba 4G can be used as a front carrier from 7-25 lbs (3.5 kg – 11.3 kg) or a back carrier from 25-45 lbs (11.3 kg – 20.4 kg). It also has a removable hood and foot straps included. It has one of the largest waist belts at 58″ (147.3 cm), making it a great option for different sized caregivers.

Best for: Largest waist belt

 

Boba Air

The Boba Air was redesigned in 2017, so if you haven’t tried it recently, do it! They added padded legs openings for the baby and breathable mesh padding on the straps. Additionally, it’s self-storing and can be packed into its own hood. It’s also the only 100% nylon carrier on this list, making it a little less bulky.  Babies can be worn in the Boba from 15 lbs – 45 lbs (6.8 kg – 20.4 kg). The cons are that it isn’t as comfortable for longer periods of time as other carriers and little babies are too small for it. It’s a good one to have as a spare carrier that’s always with you.

Best for: Least bulky

Best Ring Slings

Ring slings take a little more practice for many people to master. Once you’ve got it, they are easy! Woven fabrics provide more support longer term than stretchy wraps, too.

Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Ring Sling Baby Carrier

My first ring sling was a Maya Wrap ring sling. I like the padded shoulder because it made it easier for me to use it right away. However, after gaining experience, I know that I could also easily use a non-padded shoulder and just spread the fabric out nicely. This Maya Wrap is made from woven cotton (the padding in the padded shoulder version is polyester). It also has a zippered pocket on the tail and it’s big enough to fit some wipes and a diaper (it can even fit a cloth diaper).

Best for: Storage pocket

Luxury Ring Sling Baby Carrier by Nalakai

This ring sling by Nalakai is made from bamboo and linen, making it an eco-friendly ring sling. Please note that due to the nature of the fabric, each sling will have unique differences in color. This does not have a padded shoulder. It arrives buttery soft out of the box. That means that it’s soft and easier to use than having to wait to “break in” the fabric.

Best for: Eco-friendly

Beachfront Baby Ring Sling

The Beachfront Baby Ring Sling is made in the USA from polyester. It can be used in the water (and the aluminum rings were tested for use in chlorinated water). The fabric is a lightweight athletic mesh and it will dry quickly. This sling also comes in 3 sizes, to help accommodate different parent body sizes. For babies, it can be used between 8 lbs – 30 lbs.

Best for: Water use

 

Cuby Breathable Mesh Ring Sling

The Cuby Mesh ring sling is a great sling for beach and pool use. It can be used in the water! In fact, most people find that mesh ring slings for water are far more comfortable in the water than out. However, they are just as easy to use as regular ring slings and fold up small for traveling. It would be easy to add this to your carry on. Also, please note that it’s very important to use ring slings properly.

Best for: Hot weather

The best baby carrier for plane travel will be the carrier that both you and your baby like best. Soft structured carriers will all roll up compactly and store in your carry on when not needed. They are also lightweight.

Can I use a baby carrier on an airplane?

Most US-based airlines will let you use a baby carrier during the flight. However, you will not be able to wear your baby in a carrier during take off or landing. It may also be up to the discretion of the flight attendant.

Can you wear a baby carrier through airport security?

Yes, the TSA will allow you to wear your baby though the metal detectors. You will be subject to additional screenings, such as having your hands swabbed. If your baby can walk through by themselves, it is easier to let them walk and you are less likely to be subject to additional security screenings.

Which baby carrier is easiest to put on?

The easiest baby carrier for most people are the soft structured carriers (the ones on this list). Beco carriers are the easiest to use in my experiencet. Ring slings are also pretty easy to master.

Conclusion: Wear all the babies!

Baby wearing can make traveling (and life) so much easier. Soft structured carriers, like the ones on this list, are easy to use and great for traveling. Go forth, travel, and wear the baby!

Do you have any suggestions on the best travel baby carrier? The best feedback comes from my readers. Please leave a comment!

Sharing is caring!