Milk on the Move

Planning for your first trip while breastfeeding? It can be overwhelming thinking about how many things you need to pack, the logistics of pumping or nursing on the go, and the amount of time you’re going to spend nursing or pumping outside of your familiar environment.

But fear not! While there’s a lot to think about when planning a trip with your little one, the right items can help make nursing or pumping while traveling easy and stress-free.

Travel Gear for Nursing Moms

A high-quality nursing bra

When you’re nursing your baby on demand while traveling, it helps to be prepared. Wearing a comfortable nursing bra makes all the difference. You have the support you need and the accessibility required when your baby needs to nurse, whether you’re waiting at your airport gate or sitting in the hotel lobby. A good nursing bra will be supportive, comfortable, and make it very easy for you to nurse your baby. 

Try these: Knix Nursing Bra, Bravado Designs, Bao Bei Body

A nursing cover or tank top for the “two-shirt” method

Not everyone is comfortable nursing in public, despite it being protected in all 50 states. If you’re feeling a bit self-conscious about your body or the possibility of someone seeing some of your breast, a cover may help. Keep in mind that some babies do not like to nurse with a cover, and depending on your baby’s age, they may just play with it — which could increase the awkwardness for you. But there is a solution: the “two-shirt” method. For this to work, you wear a tank top under your shirt, so when you lift the shirt to nurse your baby, your midsection is still covered and you have an additional layer to cover any remaining exposed skin. 

Try this: Bravado Nursing Tank Top

A nursing pillow

A nursing pillow is not an essential item to have a successful breastfeeding journey, but for many moms, it’s very helpful in the early days. Depending on when you’re going to be traveling, if you’re using a pillow, you may want to bring one with you. Alternatively you can use the pillows at your destination, but if your nursing pillow is what makes you most comfortable, bring it! Your comfort matters, mama! 

Try these: My Brest Friend nursing pillow, Jolly Jumper nursing pillow, Boppy nursing pillow

Travel Gear for Pumping Moms

A backup pump

You definitely need to bring your primary pump with you when traveling — and consider bringing a backup pump as well. A wearable breast pump will not work to empty you as well as your double electric, but if you happen to run out of battery life or can’t find an outlet, a backup is helpful to have. If you’re using a double electric pump like the Spectra or Zomee, for example, bringing a hand pump or wearable might be a good idea just in case. 

Try these: Medela Harmony, Lansinoh Manual Pump

Breastmilk storage bags

The milk you pump will have to be stored at least temporarily, depending on how often your baby is eating (and if they’re traveling with you), your supply, and when you’re pumping. Having milk storage bags and a pen or marker to date them will help you keep track of your stash and ensure that you use the oldest milk first. Some great options include: pretty much any brand! These are readily available and often store similar amounts of milk. Evenflo makes some with cute, positive phrases.

A cooler bag and ice packs.

Depending on the type of travel you’re doing, you may be pumping without immediate access to a fridge. In that case, you’ll want to bring a travel-sized cooler with you and some ice packs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, freshly pumped breast milk can be stored in a cooler with ice packs for 24 hours, which is hopefully plenty of time for you to get the milk to a fridge.

Try these: Sarah Wells Bags, Ceres Chiller (these are milk chiller bottles which you can even adapt to pump directly into).

Drying rack and washing brush

No pumping mom enjoys the clean-up, but washing and drying the pump elements is part of the process. Packing up a travel-sized drying rack and a bottle brush can help ensure you’re adhering to the CDC guidelines of washing in hot, soapy water and air drying to keep your pumping parts and bottles clean. 

Try this: OXO Drying Rack

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