6 Travel Essentials For an On-the-Go Nursing Mom

When I was expecting my first child, I told myself that I wasn’t going to let kids stop me from traveling. Four years later, I find it laughable. It’s not easy traveling with kids, but it’s also very cool to be able to explore new places & cultures through the eyes of my son.

Cooper was born in January 2020. We didn’t travel very much (for obvious reasons). So this past year when my son Charley was born, I was determined for things to be different. I quickly realized that nursing while traveling was a whole different ball game. After several failed attempts to whittle down the list of travel items, I finally settled on a few (okay, six) essentials that made nursing while traveling through Europe, the Caribbean, or even to let-lagged Japan doable—I promise with a little planning it can be done.

A Portable Breast PumpKeep an eye out for one that has a rechargeable battery so you’re not stuck to an outlet (especially in a foreign country where you’ll need an adapter). You’ll want one that fits into your bra seamlessly, like the Willow Go Wearable Breast Pump, or the Spectra 9 Portable & Rechargeable Double Electric Breast Pump, which is super lightweight.

Freeze Dried Breast MilkLeche takes your own breast milk and turns it into the powdered form, which lasts up to three years. It’s totally genius for anybody who wants flexibility and doesn’t want to carry frozen or expressed milk along with them. There’s even an option that portions your breast milk into individually sealed sachets for on-the-go.

A Double Duty Travel BagTraveling with kids comes with a lot of stuff. And if you’re nursing? A ridiculous amount of stuff. Invest in a baby bag you want to use—that you will like to use—because you’ll be carrying it everywhere with you. I love the Prada Re-Nylon baby bag (fashion and function, check) because you can actually throw it in the wash, and the Lululemon New Parent Tote Bag is also fantastic.

Breast Pump Cleaning WipesTrust me: The last thing you want is to have to stop at a public restroom to clean every nook and cranny of your breast pump when you’re traveling. I found these All-Purpose Cleaning Wipes to do a great job of cleaning the residue and build-up quickly and safely–just make sure your pump is dry before you wipe clean.

A Reusable Storage ContainerThere are ready-made containers specifically designed to store your breast milk or in a pinch—a travel mug will do the trick (just make sure it has a good seal—I like Ceres Chill and the Willow Portable Breast Milk Cooler). According to the CDC, breastmilk should be stored in a refrigerator after 4 hours so be mindful of this if you are planning to be out sightseeing for a while.

Wet/Dry Bags For…EverythingIf you can’t already tell, multipurpose items are the way to go here—like wet/dry bags. I like to keep a variety of sized ones from Mushie and Calpak to store your pump parts, hide dirty kids clothes, or serve to keep things organized like chargers and passports.