Dreaming of adventure, travel, hopping into a van for a road trip all around Europe... But your family has just grown and you're not quite sure how to reconcile the two. What if carrying gear was a key element to making your project happen?
The quest for minimal clutter
Young parents know this: the volume of equipment to bring when you have a baby is ! Whether for a short weekend or a longer trip, renting the necessary semi-trailer to carry the "just in case" gear is generally not part of the plan. So begins the painful sorting process.
Some choices are simple, but others are more tricky: the maxi stroller is very comfortable for the baby but takes the space of 3 suitcases. Meaning: you'll have to do without, but you'll need to figure out how, without sacrificing everyone’s comfort.
This is where the baby carrier finds its first advantage:
Flexible, compact, and lightweight, it easily slips between two bags and takes up almost no space. Remember a weekend in the mountains with 3 children and a dog in a tiny car packed to the brim, where the baby carrier was folded as a blanket over the baby and the sling was worn as a snood around my neck (the stroller, on the other hand, wouldn't fit!).
Note that space saving is only effective if you opt for physiological baby carriers: large hiking backpacks with frames, besides being very uncomfortable, don't fold well and also take up a huge volume!
A little breeze of freedom
Who hasn't found themselves stuck in front of a huge staircase, a cobbled street, or a monument visit where stroller access is prohibited? The baby carrier allows you to face all unforeseen obstacles of your trip without headaches. Baby follows you everywhere, regardless of the terrain! Fancy a spontaneous hike on nearby paths? Just clip it on and go! An inaccessible place for the stroller? No need for a last-minute backup plan, nor the risk of theft if you leave the stroller in designated space.
Whether for a day at the beach or a sightseeing tour, thanks to carrying you remain free to move around and can travel anywhere without the risk of getting stuck.
Travel with confidence in transportation
A suitcase in one hand, the stroller to fold in the other, the crying baby to manage in the middle, and the crowd getting impatient behind (without help, of course, that would be too simple)... Does this situation sound familiar to you? It’s the one that often occurs when trying to take the train with your baby.
Sometimes, there are also difficulties when taking the plane, between the oversized stroller that must go in the hold or takes the place of another carry-on bag, and the security checks and waiting time before boarding to manage.
Seated in a carrier, your child is secured during various handling procedures, you have free hands to manage a possibly fussy baby, and you can also sneak through the aisles more easily if they need to be rocked.
The globetrotting baby
For the baby, there are also many advantages to traveling in a carrier! Environmental changes can sometimes be more difficult for some little ones to handle: away from home, they can become nervous, anxious, have more difficulty falling asleep, and their routines and references are disrupted. This is all the more true as the transit places can be noisy and overwhelming (crowds, noise, lights...). Snuggled against you, they are reassured and secured and cope better with the various upheavals.
Since tourist sites are often very popular, it’s not uncommon to find yourself right in the middle of a crowd. In a stroller, the child is at knee height of the people, even if you are careful they can be jostled, burned by cigarettes held downward, and the sight of legs pressing around them is clearly not the most pleasant. Snuggled against you, they will feel less overwhelmed by the crowd, and they can also enjoy the visits and panoramic views.
For older children, they will also appreciate being able to rest a bit when they are tired.
The ideal baby carrier for the little budding adventurer
Now that the basics are covered: which carrying system should we put in our travel bag? If you have to choose only one, a preformed carrier is probably the most versatile because it combines both comfort with good weight distribution and the practical necessities of emergency or outdoor setups. It is easy to use for passing airport security or re-installing the baby in the middle of the train aisle upon arrival. Compact and lightweight, it also features a very low volume of bulk.
They remain choice allies as well but will often need to combine with each other to handle all situations. Being very flexible, they easily slip to the bottom of a bag or between two suitcases and will be appreciated for a more cozy side with a very small one.All that remains is to wish you a good trip!
