Baby (wearing) and Travel: Why “We’ll Figure It Out at the Airport” Isn’t a Plan

When my son was 4 months old, we took our first international trip together. I packed carefully. I overthought everything. But the one thing I didn’t question? I’d be babywearing the entire time.

And I was right, babywearing made our travel possible.
But I was also lucky. I'd already been wearing him regularly at home, I had a few carriers I felt confident in, and...I had time to prepare. Without that, I can’t imagine how chaotic things would’ve been.

So if there’s one thing I want parents to know before they pack their bags, it’s this:

Traveling doesn’t make babywearing magically “click” at the airport. It takes planning. And a little preparation goes a very long way.

Here’s how to help your clients, or yourself, make babywearing work before the security line.

Start Early. For Both of You

When we talk about prepping for travel, we usually think about packing. But with babywearing, it’s not just the gear that needs to be ready—it’s the relationship.

Carriers aren’t one-size-fits-all, and even when you’ve found the right one, you need time to:

• Explore and discover how the carrier and baby fit and adjust on your body.

• Get familiar enough with the carrier that you can put it on quickly, confidently, and comfortably.

• Break it in physically, meaning to soften the carrier a bit so it is easier to adjust. Basically, use it some.

But here’s the part we often forget:
Your baby also needs time to get used to the carrier.

That carrier can be a place of calm and comfort, or just another unfamiliar stressor in an already overstimulating environment.

If your baby’s first time in the carrier is at the airport gate with overhead announcements, bright lights, and rushing people, you’re both going to feel it.

Instead, choose a different path. Start weeks before. Wear your baby during naps, short errands, and around the house. Let them get used to the rhythm of your movement, the fabric, the position, and the sensation of being close in this particular way. That way, when you reach for it during travel, they...and you, already know: this is a safe place.

Plan Where and When...You’ll Use It

Babywearing is magic. But it doesn’t eliminate the need to plan ahead.

Some scenarios to think through:

Airport Security

If you have to take your carrier off at the security checkpoint, what happens next?
Are you going to try to put it back on right there while juggling your shoes, bag, ID, and a baby who’s overstimulated?

Or will you haul your baby, your bags, and your loose belongings to another spot to get resettled?

Neither is wrong, but both are smoother if you’ve thought through the plan in advance and practiced that “off and back on” transition a few times.

Bathroom Breaks (Yes, Really)

Whether you’re traveling solo or just trying to give your partner a break, someone’s going to need to pee.

Are you going to leave your baby on the changing table in a gas station bathroom while you try to go quickly? Probably not.

A carrier allows you to securely wear your baby while using the bathroom without risking unsafe or uncomfortable setups.

The “Quick Stop” That Isn’t

Imagine this: you pull into a roadside rest stop thinking you’ll stretch your legs for five minutes. Forty minutes later, you're still walking around with your baby in arms, your back aching, wondering why you didn’t bring the carrier.

Wearing your baby, even for short stops, can protect your body, support your nervous system, and help you move through those “surprise” delays with far more ease.

Give Yourself and Baby Space to Learn

A lot of people assume babywearing is intuitive, but learning how to use a carrier comfortably while also parenting is a skill, not a reflex.

Choosing the best baby carrier isn't always as easy as picking the one recommended on the most recent 'best gear' list. But choosing the right carrier, for you and baby and for your situational needs, might take a little time and consideration. It means trying on different styles, understanding your baby’s preferences, and troubleshooting discomfort or resistance.

So, yes, it sometimes takes more than a quick visit to the store or an online recommendation the day before your trip.

That’s where a trained babywearing consultant can make all the difference.

The fastest way to make travel with a baby easier is by learning from someone who can quickly guide you through the options and build confidence with the carrier you choose. Taking a class, visiting a group, or booking time with an educator at least 2–3 weeks before your trip gives you time to learn, practice, and troubleshoot before you're juggling luggage, a hungry baby, and boarding calls.

For Consultants: Travel Support Is Client Support

If you’re a babywearing educator or consultant, summer is the perfect time to:

• Offer “travel-prep” mini consults

• Check in on clients with upcoming vacations

• Help them plan carrier storage, opportunities for carrier use, and thoughtful transitions

• Normalize the idea that both they and their baby need practice

Bonus: Check out our holiday travel post here for additional resources you can share with clients year-round.

Babywearing Makes Travel Doable, But Only If You’re Ready

Traveling with a baby can feel like a high-stakes mission. But babywearing gives you freedom, flexibility, and the ability to keep your baby close and comforted in unfamiliar places.

With a little planning and practice, the carrier becomes more than just a tool; it becomes home base.

Don’t wait until the jet bridge or the rest stop.
Start now. Prepare together.
And let babywearing carry you where you want to go.