Hi Pumping Friends!
Whether you’re traveling for work or play, the thought of pumping on the go can be a little daunting. But your next trip doesn’t have to derail your pumping plans — we’ve got you!
With a little pre-planning, the right gear, and a few pro tips, you can keep up with pumping anywhere life takes you.
Here are some things to think about as you plan your trip:
📆 Things to Consider Before You Go:
🫣Do you have the right pump and accessories for you? A highly portable, full-strength pump like the BabyBuddha 2.0 eliminates the need for another bulky bag. For added discretion and simplified pumping on the go, check out our Hands-Free Collection Cups!
🏨 If you’re staying in a hotel, be sure to call ahead and request a medical fridge, as pumping breast milk is a medical necessity. They legally must provide you with one (even in Vegas!). Be sure to let them know you need one with a freezer!
📦 Create a plan for how you’d like to transport your milk home. You can look into breastmilk shipping services or transporting your precious cargo on your own!
✈️ If You’re Flying, It’s Important to Know Your Rights (and some helpful tricks!)
💃 Your breast pump is considered medical equipment, and that means it doesn’t count against your carry-on limit.
🍼 TSA’s liquid rules don’t apply to breastmilk — you can bring larger quantities, even if it’s not frozen. While TSA is entitled to test your breastmilk for the safety of other passengers, they should be able to do so by placing a test strip above your milk and should never need to touch it. You can find their full guidelines for traveling with breastmilk here.
💡Pro Tip: Freeze milk whenever possible to avoid the need for any testing. Bags of frozen milk are also great at keeping each other frozen inside a cooler bag!
Of course, you won’t be able to freeze all of your milk, especially if you’re pumping in the airport. So how do you keep that liquid gold cold?
🧊 TSA can be a little funny about ice packs, especially if they’re partially melted. One solution? Our friends over at Ceres Chill have the safest, most effective breastmilk chiller on the market! For safe storage for 20+ hours, all you need is ice (which you can easily get inside the airport from one of the restaurants!).
🧼 Keeping Things Clean
✔️ Pump wipes, specially designed to clean pump parts without leaving behind a residue, can be a lifesaver in a pinch!
🫧 Travel wash basins — like this one from our friends at Ceres Chill — help you avoid questionable public sinks.
💡Pro Tip: Bring multiple sets of pump parts so you’re not stuck washing between every session!
😩 What If You Forget Something?
If you find yourself missing a pump part:
-
Don’t panic — hand expression can offer relief if you’re in a pinch. A clean jar, to-go cup, or even the shower can help you manage until you have what you need.
-
Manual pumps are affordable and widely available at retailers. They’re not just for emergencies — they’re great backup options for travel days or middle-of-the-night sessions.
Traveling while pumping can certainly feel like uncharted territory, but the great news is that most people see your love and devotion and want to be helpful. You’ve got this, mom!
✨ Want more real-life, expert-backed pumping support? Follow along with our Pumpologist series every week for advice that actually works in the real world.
