For avid travelers, there’s nothing better than heading out of town. Whether its for business or pleasure, exploring new destinations is exciting anytime of year. However, it can be difficult for traveling breastfeeding moms.

Nowadays, not all moms have the leisure of always being home when it’s time to pump. A lot of women follow a schedule and this can be interrupted when catching flights. To make pumping easy when commuting, here are six essentials for the traveling breastfeeding mom.

Nursing Cover

traveling breastfeeding mom — Photo credit: William Fortunato

With many traveling moms following a schedule, there’s no telling where they may need to pump. Nursing covers come in handy when traveling and being on the go. Sometimes, airports, planes, and other accommodations don’t always have adequate privacy for breastfeeding moms. A quality nursing cover comes in handy when traveling if you need to pump or breastfeed your baby.

Breast Pump

Along with the nursing cover, portable breast pumps help breastfeeding moms pump on a schedule. For those who travel frequently, it may be beneficial to invest in a pump that is portable and small enough to fit in a carry-on bag. In case there’s limited access to charger outlets, many moms also suggest having a battery-operated or manual pump when traveling.

Nursing Bra

traveling breastfeeding mom — Photo credit: Castorly Stock

Maneuvering around traditional bras can be a pain for traveling breastfeeding moms. Wearing a nursing bra while traveling can save time and hassle. These bras are specially designed with easy access to the nipple for breastfeeding and pumping. Additionally, they have extra support and provide more comfort to breastfeeding moms as they move through airports, check into their rooms, and explore their destination of choice.

Hot & Cold Packs

Pumping and breastfeeding can cause discomfort for moms. Traveling makes it difficult to access the usual comforts moms go to when boob soreness sets in. Online moms who travel often suggest keeping hot and cold packs handy. Depending on your symptoms and body, these hot and cold packs can provide immediate, temporary relief on the go.

Pump Cleaning Wipes

traveling breastfeeding mom — Photo credit: nappy

Many traveling breastfeeding moms online say they were surprised by the lack of cleaning spaces for their pumping equipment. Pump cleaning wipes come in handy when your equipment needs to be cleaned on the go. Although they might not land at the top of the list, these wipes are essential when moms don’t have access to water and sanitation methods.

Portable Cooler

When traveling with breastmilk, storage is important. In addition to getting back and forth to their destinations, traveling breastfeeding moms also have to ensure they don’t lose their milk supply if they’re pumping and traveling. A portable cooler ensures the milk stays at a safe temperature and doesn’t go bad before it makes it to more long-term storage options. There are also companies like Milk Stork that not only offer cooler options but will ship breastmilk back home for traveling moms.

Mom