Subscribe to our Mailing List

Get the news right in your inbox!

LILLEbaby COMPLETE Airflow Baby Carrier Review

June 22, 2015 Sarah Coggins
This post may contain affiliate links that help support this site at no additional cost to you.

Disclosure: I was provided the LILLEbaby COMPLETE Airflow baby carrier in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are my own. This post does contain some affiliate links.

Like most first time parents, we were overwhelmed by all the baby products and options when I was first pregnant in 2009. We took some advice. We made some decisions based on it and some based on our own. We learned a lot.

Líllébaby Complete Airflow baby carrier review

Learning to Baby Wear

One thing that, while I tried, I just never could wrap my head around – baby wearing. (Pun intended.) It’s not that I didn’t want to. It was back to the overwhelming number of options and prices. Where to begin? Did we really need it? And, honestly, with just one baby who was generally happy 90% of the time and did fuss to be held, I didn’t feel I had a need. I’m also sure that it didn’t help the carrier we did buy, while functional, wasn’t all that comfortable. Neither my son or I ever really liked it so I ended up selling it at a consignment sale in practically new condition soon thereafter.

I tried again while watching my niece the following year. Two kids under two – the need was greater. I borrowed one from my sister-in-law, but, again, it wasn’t comfortable and I felt the strain on my shoulders and back so I only used it when I absolutely had to.

Last year while pregnant with my daughter, I was determined to find a way to baby wear and to do so comfortably. I tried 3 different carriers – 1 purchased and 2 borrowed. One of the borrowed options (a wrap style) worked well when she was smaller, but I now used on a limited basis as it will strain my back and shoulders when I use it for extended periods. It’s mainly my “go to” when we are somewhere seated and need a way to hold her since she can’t exactly sit in her own seat yet.

Even with so many strike outs, I was still determined there had to be a way to baby wear that was comfortable for both of us. I remembered seeing Krystyn of Really, Are You Serious? wearing her littlest one frequently during Type A Conference last fall. I reached out to her for more information on the brand carrier she was using – LÍLLÉbaby.

LÍLLÉbaby kindly let me select which carrier I wanted to try. I decided on the COMPLETE Airflow Baby Carrier. The entire COMPLETE line offers the same basic features, but what sold me on the Airflow style was the 3D Mesh fabric. I thought this would work better for us in the upcoming hot, humid summer weather.

Initial Thoughts

Straight out of the box, this is a beautiful carrier both in color (I chose Charcoal & Berry) and construction. It can be used in 6 different positions – 4 on the front of the parent, 1 on the hip and 1 on the back – from birth. No extra components necessary.

I will say, I am a much more visual person. I did read the instructions, but found for switching the seat width it was easier to understand by watching this video by LÍLLÉbaby. Afterwards I shook my head at how easy it was! I’ve switched the seat multiple times as we’ve changed from outward to inward facing.

Líllébaby: Love at First Taste

I have used this carrier a lot since receiving it less than 3 weeks ago. I’ve worn Miss E in the house, at an outdoor festival, on a ‘hike’ through trails in a local park (while napping – something she hasn’t done in a carrier in months), at the pool while we watched her brother’s swim lessons, “meeting” Zack Galifianakis, and even in the car dealership while we waited on service to be completed. Fair to say, this is our favorite carrier so far. With it’s multiple wearing positions and adjustment straps, I’ve gotten a perfect fit every time and she is loving looking outward when she is awake.

The mesh fabric does seem to be cooler for her and I also like the pocket on the carrier. It has 2 sections – the open top where you can stash the hood (or in the photo below, I stuck her hat) and a zippered section accessed from the side. The latter portion is larger and good for carrying anything from your keys & wallet to an extra diaper or pacifier.

Líllébaby Complete Airflow: Pocket

See The Complete Airflow Carrier in Action

Hear more of my thoughts and get a better look at the COMPLETE Airflow Baby Carrier in my video review:

You can view the entire line of carriers including the LÍLLÉbaby Carry On which is designed for toddlers (ages 12m+) on their website.

Do you (or did you) baby wear?

Linking up with Mommy & Me Monday at Really, Are You Serious?



Updated September 2015: when we started using our Complete carrier, I mostly carried E facing out. She seemed happiest, however, I soon started trying carrying her facing in more often and that is now our favorite carry. We also regularly use the back carry – perfect for those times she wants to be held or I need to carry something up or down the stairs as I can hold her and still have my hands free.

I also now own the Original style of the Complete carrier which has a canvas fabric versus the mesh. It’s also a great comfortable carrier – just stiffer fabric. I prefer the easier shaping of the mesh fabric on our Airflow, but love the Seahorse pattern on our Original. I use both almost equally although given it’s still so warm out, the Airflow is my first pick anytime we will be outdoors.

8 Comments

  • Julie S. June 22, 2015 at 6:09 pm
    I didn't give babywearing a good shot, but I really like the looks of this!
    • Sarah Coggins June 23, 2015 at 2:01 pm
      It can be so overwhelming! I am grateful to finally have a carrier that both Elise & I like. She was happy and enjoying the ride this morning both in Starbucks and our grocery store.
  • Nina April 21, 2016 at 1:42 pm
    Thanks for the review! I've seen some reviews on Amazon that said the mesh was kind of scratchy and caused a rash on their baby's leg. I'm wondering if you've noticed this happening? Or rubbing in your armpit?
    • Angel August 17, 2016 at 6:14 pm
      I have the same question. I used the airflow to try out for about 10 minutes before I noticed redness around my boys thighs and armpits. I live in Hawaii and he rarely uses more than a onesie. Wondering if the embossed would work better.
      • Sarah Coggins August 17, 2016 at 9:40 pm
        The Embossed is a different fabric. I have tried it for photographic purposes for another site, but don't own one. The Airflow is the coolest of the 4 current Complete models. That said, I have not had an issue with the mesh. I actually prefer the Airflow to our Original Complete most of the time because the mesh is soft and forms easier to get a better seat/fit. I have had my daughter in just a bodysuit several times. She occasionally has gotten red marks from the mesh, but it's just an imprint of the fabric - not a rash.
  • Sarah April 10, 2017 at 8:09 pm
    I feel like the carrier digs into my baby's chest (too tight) when forward facing - any tips? Thanks :)
    • Sarah Coggins April 13, 2017 at 9:43 pm
      Try loosening the shoulder straps at the lower connection - i.e., at the point where they connect with the front of the carrier. See if this helps.
  • Namgyal Sangmo July 13, 2017 at 9:56 am
    I've read too that it's scratchy and chafed. Would u say it gets softer with usage? I'm in a fix between embossed and airflow. But I need coolness. Thanks in advance
  • Leave a Reply

    I accept the Privacy Policy

    About Me

    Sarah

    Hi! I'm a DIY and craft obsessed mom to 2. I have my hands covered in sawdust or paint any given day. My husband and kids join me in many of our projects. When we aren't creating at home, we're creating memories in our many adventures. Join along! Read More

    Sarah

    Subscribe & Follow

    Subscribe to our Mailing List

    Get the news right in your inbox!

    DIY Project Money (aka Affiliates)

    Kids Craft Kits
    At Home

    Miscarriage

    I highly recommend the book What Was Lost: A Christian Journey through Miscarriage for any woman of faith who has suffered a miscarriage or anyone wanting to gain insight to help comfort a spouse, friend, sister, daughter, etc.

    Contributor

    Fine Print

    2paws Designs is a for-profit site. I make a small compensation from select links when purchases made via one of the affiliate companies. Select posts are sponsored and noted as such. All opinions within this website are my own. Find the Privacy Policy here.

    Amazon Associates Disclosure

    Sarah Coggins is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

    Hosting with SiteGround

    Twitter Feed

    ×