You have two main accessories for getting baby through the airport – a baby carrier or the stroller. Which one is better? Well, that depends.

Baby Carrier

Baby carriers do offer advantages. You can dodge crowds much easier, your hands will be free, you won’t have a bulky piece of equipment to lug around, and it’s calming for infants and young toddlers to be held close to you. However, you’ll also have to bear the weight of carrying your child through the airport (which might be minimal if you choose the right carrier) and you won’t have the benefit of having your stroller at your destination. Baby Bjorn is a popular front carrier for many parents. If this is your pick, we recommend you get the model with the lumbar support for your comfort. But there are many more options. Ring slings make it easier for nursing moms. Ergo makes a comfortable soft carrier, excellent for back carries and toddlers.

Strollers make it a little more difficult to navigate, but you won’t have to worry about handling the extra weight – at least until your infant or toddler wants to be picked up. You’ll also have something to wheel your little one around in when you get to your destination. If you decide to go the stroller route, one way to keep things to a minimum is with a lightweight stroller or umbrella stroller. If the stroller is mainly for airport use, the less weight you have to lug around the better. You can check your stroller in as your board the plane and pick it up on the way out.

For parents who really like to be prepared, you can bring both. Many baby carriers are compact enough for easy stow away in your luggage. It’s also a great option if you have more than one child and don’t want to lug a double stroller.

You may want to check out my other guide on Stroller Buying Guide and Stroller Types