Parent-Approved: The 10 Best Baby Carriers for Travel [ 2023 ]

Do you love traveling and find it hard to keep your baby snuggled close as you enjoy the city? Well, a lot of parents find it hard to keep their babies close as they undertake other tasks. But thanks to baby carriers, this doesn’t have to be a problem anymore. A baby carrier for travel is designed to help you move from one destination to another with ease. It also helps to promote bonding as you will be able to take your baby everywhere you go. However, with so many baby carriers available in the market, selecting the most suitable for your needs can be overwhelming. In this article, we will breakdown and help you find the best baby carrier for travel.

Best Baby Carriers for Travel Comparison Table

Best Baby Carriers for Travel Product Reviews

1. LILLEBaby Complete all Seasons Baby Carrier

When the climate is hot or cold, you want to ensure that your baby is comfortable and well protected. As the name suggests, the LILLEBaby carrier is designed for all seasons travel. This is because it is equipped with a mesh panel to ensure airflow during warmer climates and a hood for colder climates. The carrier, therefore, provides a safe way to travel with your baby in areas where the climate is unpredictable.

Uniquely, this carrier features 6 ergonomic positions that allow you to carry your baby on the front, hip, back, fetal, facing inwards or facing outwards position. With this kind of versatility, you can wear this carrier in a position that suits you best.

Furthermore, the 360 degrees positions mean that you will have more options and you won’t find the need for another carrier. With adjustable straps, you can easily breastfeed even in transit. In fact, it is a top choice for the best baby carrier for air travel.

Apart from its ergonomic positions, parents everywhere love this all season’s baby carrier because it offers adequate lumbar support. Not only that, it is designed with baby’s comfort in mind. For instance, it features an adjustable back panel that facilitates back and neck support whereas the adjustable seat and leg openings ensure a hip and C-spine position. This will keep your baby’s hips and legs in a comfortable position during transit. Plus, it can play a big role in promoting their hip development while they are still young.

It comes ready to use with headrest, zippered pocket for storing essentials closely, padding and an extendable torso for larger toddlers, making it the best toddler carrier for travel. Plus, the material for this backpack-style carrier is washable.

2. Ergobaby Carrier, 360 All Carry Positions Baby Carrier

If your baby weighs between 12 or 45 pounds or is aged between 4 to 36 months, consider getting them this carrier from Ergobaby. This is a high-quality carrier from one of the leading brands that can be used from birth to toddlerhood. While it is the best toddler carrier for travel, you will need to purchase inserts if you intend to use it on infants.

Unlike most carriers in the market, it can be used in a multitude of ways to ensure versatility. An outstanding feature of this carrier is that it carries the baby in all positions. Your baby can face inwards or face outwards to explore the outdoors with you. As your baby grows, you can wear the carrier of the back or hip.

Firstly, this carrier is designed with the comfort and safety of babies in mind as it features a hip-healthy design for your growing baby. Therefore, this travel carrier allows your child to seat in a natural “M” position, regardless of how you carry them. A UPF 50+ tuckaway baby hood is included to offer protection against sun and wind and make breastfeeding easy.

Also, parents will have an easy time using this carrier thanks to padded shoulder straps.

It is equipped with a wide waistband that adjusts from 26 to 55 inches and can be worn by parents of all sizes and shapes. This helps to distribute the weight and offer lumbar support so you won’t experience back pains. This is an especially important feature that helps in post-delivery or if you delivered your child through c-section.

3. Grownsy Baby Carrier Wrap Ergonomic with Adjustable Seat

Baby can be heavy, most especially to mums! Baby carriers are supposed to help avoid piling additional weight burden on mummy’s back. That’s why this carrier from Grownsy is designed and structured to help ease pressure from the lower back. Even that’s a big plus for dad when mom is not carrying the little one.

For your baby’s safety and comfort, the seat is adjustable and the little one always stays next to you no matter what you do. That’s a big thanks to the safety belt. With your baby in this carrier, you can win back your hands so you can handle and do other things.

4. ClevrPlus Cross Country Baby Backpack – Most Affordable Hiking Backpack Baby Carrier

If you love hiking, then you are most likely going to appreciate the ClevrPlus Cross Country Baby backpack. Designed for infants, this carrier is great for taking on an outdoor adventure especially if you have a tight budget. Usually, hiking carriers are on the higher end, but this model is an exception.

One of the features that make it great for the outdoors is its lightweight yet durable material. Weighing just 5 pounds, this carrier can accommodate babies that weigh up to 33 pounds. Besides, its lightweight construction makes it the best baby carrier for flying.

It is equipped with a padded waistband as well as thick padded shoulder straps for unrivaled lower back support and equal weight distribution. In addition, it is very convenient as the child’s seat is designed to adjust in three ways.

Apart from the fantastic support system, this carrier is designed with safety in mind. It features a safety reflective strip to keep you and your child visible while outdoors. It also comes with a shade that is easy to pop out and offers protection from the sun and rain. The foot stirrups and safety belt will ensure that your baby is properly secured even when they nap.

A unique spec is the metal stand included that comes in handy when you want to take the backpack off. The metal stand helps to set the carrier off the ground. It also has 2 water bottle holders and a large back pocket for storing essentials like diapers.

5. Deuter Kid Comfort 3 Framed Child Carrier for Hiking – Best Featured Baby Carrier for Hiking

This is another great child carrier for those parents that love hiking. This carrier allows the kid to sit up on high and enjoy the whole outdoor adventure while being safely secured. Although it comes at an expensive price tag, the features included, making it worth the price.

Designed for babies, toddlers, and small children, the carrier features an ergonomic design that ensures comfort for both baby and parent. It is equipped with a 5 point safety harness, adjustable seats and adjustable stirrups for a comfortable and safe seating position. Besides, the product is the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association approved and is crafted with child safety in mind.

Impressively, the back system features an Aircontact Pro Foam padding that promotes flexibility and boasts great breathability. This results in 15% less perspiration when compared to other backpacks.

The Deuter Kid Comfort 3 has a quality and sturdy design that stands the test of time. It is crafted from a sturdy aluminum frame to ensure ultimate stability. Plus, it includes a large, soft chin pad that is washable and a kickstand that folds out. The sunroof shades your child on those sunny days. This carrier can hold a child’s weight of up to 48.5 lbs.

6. 9-in-1 Cuddlebug Baby Wrap Sling + Carrier – Best Sling to Swaddle Your Baby Close

Wraps are comfortable and inexpensive carriers and the 9-in-1 Cuddlebug baby wrap sling is no exception. This sling helps you experience a closer bond with your child while perfectly securing them. It provides the flexibility that you need to get things done while enjoying strong bonds.

Something impressive about this product is that it features 9 wraps in one. This means that it offers 9 different ways to carry your baby including front carry, back carry, side carry, newborn hold, breastfeed sling, side sling, hip carry, cross carry and the kangaroo carry.

Crafted from cotton and stretchable spandex, this soft Cuddlebug Baby wrap is very convenient for feeding your baby o the go. The wrap is very breathable and it can help to regulate the baby’s temperature to keep them cool and comfortable.

7. Baby K’tan Baby Wrap Carrier – Easy to Wear Wrap for Everyone

Have you just had your child and you want to enjoy strong emotional bonds with them? Well, the Baby K’tan baby wrap lets you do exactly that. Constructed from 100% cotton, this wrap is snug and ultra-lightweight, allowing you to wear it for hours on end. Plus, it is portable and the best baby carrier for flying.

The super-soft fabric secures your newborn snugly to your chest and it can be worn in 5 different positions. This includes inward and outward-facing carry positions and you also have the option to keep your baby’s legs in or outside the wrap.

Breastfeeding is not an issue with this wrap as the inward-facing (front hug) and sides hip carry positions lets you feed your baby without using your arms to support their weight. Besides, it is suitable to use on babies that weigh up to 35 pounds.

This wrap-style carrier stands out from the rest because it is very easy to wear. It features a double-loop design at the back that makes it possible to slip it in like wearing a t-shirt. This feature makes Baby K-tan a favorite for those who are always on the go. If that’s not enough, the double loop-design helps to distribute weight evenly across your back and shoulders in all the carrying positions.

The wrap comes in various sizes to choose from ranging from XXS to XL in order to fit the wearer or parent. It also comes with a matching bag that can be used as a sash to provide extra support.

8. Boba Air Lightweight Baby Carrier – Super Lightweight Travel Carrier

If you always on the go and want a baby carrier that is lightweight, look no further than the Boba Air lightweight travel carrier. Weighing just 0.7lb, this carrier is super lightweight and easy to transport as it folds up into a minuscule bundle. After use, you can easily store it in your diaper or travel bag so you can navigate the airport with ease. It can be considered as the best baby carrier for flying.

Despite this, it is very sturdy and can hold babies that weigh 15lbs to 45 lbs. It offers the front and back carrying positions. The carrier is made from 100% cotton fabric which is very durable and easy to clean.

Plus this fabric is great for different weather conditions. Not only is lightweight and breathable for hot climates, but it is also water-resistant. You can, therefore, bring a stroller along for when taking trips to destinations with unpredictable weather conditions.

Another reason why this carrier is loved is that it comes with a sleeping hood that shields’ your baby’s face from harmful sun rays, wind, rain, and light. Besides that, the built-in hood offers adequate neck and head support for comfortable naps on the go.

Additionally, this carrier features a comfortable and ergonomic design that makes traveling easy for both baby and parent. The shoulder straps are well-padded and the carrier can be adjusted to suit different adult heights. The waist ranges from 27’’ to 55” and the carrier can rise up top 16” to accommodate a growing child.

9. Bbpark Baby Carrier Reversible with Widened Shoulder Strap

If you’re looking for a basic carrier to use around the house, your own lawn, or for quick errands, this one is definitely a product to consider. It gives you all the key functionalities you want to derive from a baby carrier. And that’s what we love about it — it doesn’t give you any more or less than what you need a carrier for.

The best thing I like about it is that it’s so lightweight which is a welcome feature in carriers because carrying a baby around can be really heavy. You’ve got to think about the weight of other things you usually carry too like the diaper bag, bottle cooler, and your own purse.

10. Infantino Sash Wrap and Tie Baby Carrier – Best Baby Carrier for Wearers of all Sizes

If you are looking for a budget-friendly and easy to use carrier, then you will love Infantino Sash Wrap. This baby carrier is specifically designed for those who are looking for carriers that offer more flexibility without compromising on the structure. It can carry children with weight up to 36 pounds in three different positions including facing in, backpack and hip hugger.

For most people, wraps can be very complicated to wear. However, the Infantino Sash Wrap features a buckle-free wrap and tie design that make it very easy to wear and put off. For this reason, wearers of all sizes can be very comfortable wearing it.

 Included is a detachable hood that offers protection against the sun and other elements. For an exceptional travel experience, the seat is designed to balance the weight of the child.

This wrap-style carrier comes with numerous travel benefits like being extremely lightweight. Also, it has extra-wide padded straps and doesn’t need any adjustments, making it easy to transfer it from one wearer to another. As your baby grows and becomes heavy, you can easily carry them on your back or hip. Plus, it is machine washable.

What to Consider When Buying the Best Baby Carrier

Type of Baby Carrier

There are different types of carriers to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. They include;

Front Facing Carrier

This type of carrier is the most popular in the market and is designed for both newborns and toddlers. It is designed to keep your little one facing outwards or inwards so they can explore around. These carriers are a great way to keep your little one close to your chest without needing to support their weight with your arms.

Backpack Style Carriers

These are carriers that allow you to carry your baby on your back as they look around them. Similarly, it also comes in handy for allowing your baby to nap on the go. You can easily undertake other activities like carrying luggage as they rest on your back. However, this carrier can be difficult to take out and it doesn’t allow you to watch over your baby.

Sling or Wrap Carriers

Sling and wrap carriers are usually crafted from a soft woven material that is wrapped around your shoulders and back. However, these two have a difference. Wraps are designed such that you can swaddle in your baby hands-free.

On the other hand, slings are one-shouldered carriers that require you to secure your little one’s weight with one hand. Although they are inexpensive and have a simple design that wraps, slings have safety concerns and may put your baby at risk when not wrapped properly.

Comfort

Comfort for you and your baby is an important consideration when purchasing a baby carrier. The best baby carrier for travel should offer adequate support for your child’s neck and head. You should also ensure that it offers a supported position for your baby’s legs and hips to avoid any discomfort.

Similarly, an ideal baby carrier should provide you with adequate comfort and support. Your back and shoulders can be under a lot of stress and pressure when you carry a baby for an extended period of time. Before you purchase, make sure that the carrier substantial padding and adjustments for your personal comfort. Additionally, the carrier should equally distribute your baby’s weight and be crafted from breathable material.

Safety

Safety should be a key priority when it comes to choosing a carrier for your baby. Basically, the safety concerns may vary with the age of the baby. For instance, if you are looking for carriers for newborns, see to it that it can provide the right amount of support for the neck, head, and spine. As they grow, carriers that hold them securely while allowing their heads and legs to move would be a great choice.

Versatility

The best toddler carrier for travel should be highly versatile and allow you to carry your little one in multiple positions. Versatile carriers can accommodate different body types, making it possible for both parents to wear it. For instance, parents who are petite can carry their little one in a front-facing position while those with a larger frame or have older babies may opt for the backpack position.

Convenience

One of the advantages of using a carrier is that it allows you to be close to your baby at all times. Having a carrier makes it easy to travel with your baby and do other things at the same time. If you are traveling by air, you should look for the best carrier for air travel that is easy to put on and remove. In order to keep the little one safe, ensure that the wraps and buckles are easy to use and not confusing.

Easy to Clean

It is always a good idea to choose a carrier that can be cleaned easily and quickly. It would be a huge plus if the carrier is machine washable and dryer safe as this would mean that you can clean and dry them up within a matter of time. Also, other models come with a removable cover while others have the option to add one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are baby carriers safe for infants?

A: Yes, there are baby carriers in the market designed to accommodate different sizes and weights of babies. Other models will need to purchase an insert if you intend to carry your baby from birth.

Q: Can baby carriers lead to hip problems in babies?

A: The best baby carriers for travel we’ve recommended are constructed to be safe for babies and keep their hips in a healthy position. You should avoid those models that are narrow carriers and leave the baby’s legs hanging as this can affect hip development in the long run.

Q: When is the right time to put my baby in a face-forward carrier?

A: Your baby can face forward in a carrier when they are between 4 to 6 months old. At this time, their neck muscles will be strong enough to support the head.

Q: Can I wear a baby carrier while pregnant?

A: Yes, it is safe to wear a carrier while pregnant. You just need to choose the best toddler carrier for travel that is adjustable and choose the most comfortable position.

Conclusion

With so many baby travel carriers to choose from, finding one that suits your needs can be a challenging task. Luckily, you can never go wrong with these 10 products that we have featured in our review. Also highlighted are some factors to keep in mind when buying the best baby carrier for air travel for any other trip you are planning.