Breastfeeding While Traveling: Breastfeeding Hacks on Your Holiday Road Trip

Key Takeaways:

• Planning ahead is critical for successfully pumping if you’re wondering how to travel while breastfeeding.
• The top tips for breastfeeding while traveling include bringing all your pumping essentials and planning your pumping stops ahead of time.
• Other tips for traveling with breast milk include creating a plan for storing your pumped milk on the road.

Driving to your in-laws for the holidays with your breastfeeding baby? Taking your first weekend getaway with your little one while still nursing? Don't let the thought of a road trip overwhelm you as you’re left to wonder how to travel with breast milk by car! Here are five hacks to help you and your baby on the road when you’re breastfeeding while traveling.

Tip 1: Pack and Organize Your Car

You should have seen what the trunk looked like the first time we took a three-hour road trip from Tampa to Miami with our newborn! We had the stroller, pack and play, nursing pillow, pumps, and blackout curtains. Everything you could imagine. Don't be afraid to bring things you need for your trip, but also don't overthink it like I did.

Pack the essentials for nursing when breastfeeding while traveling. If you're pumping, that means start with all your pump parts. Several bags, like these bags from our friends at Be My Breast Friend, can help you organize those parts.

 -Pump parts
-Containers for storing milk (and something to label them with the date)
-Nursing pillow
-Water bottle
-Snacks
-Breastfeeding-friendly clothes

Our Nursing Queen sweatshirts allow for easy access to pump or nurse on the go. You can open the zipper as far or as little as you want.

Tip 2: Storage for Your Milk

If you’re wondering how to travel with breast milk by car, figure out how you want to store your breastmilk. According to the CDC, freshly expressed or pumped breastmilk can be kept at room temperature for up to four hours. If you'll be traveling longer than that, consider bringing a small cooler with ice packs to keep your breastmilk cold. The CDC notes that "breast milk can be stored in an insulated cooler with frozen ice packs for up to 24 hours when you are traveling. At your destination, use the milk right away, store it in the refrigerator, or freeze it." 

Click here to look at the full guidelines from the CDC for how to travel with breast milk by car and store your milk on the go when you’re breastfeeding while traveling. 

Tip 3: Take Care of YOU!

Those snacks and water bottles we told you to bring? Use them! It’s so important to stay hydrated and keep your supply up as you navigate how to travel while breastfeeding.

Tip 4: Plan Your Stop Options Ahead of Time

As you map out your road trip, look for places along the way to stop to make breastfeeding while traveling easier. If you can, keep to the baby's schedule, and try to pull over around the time they normally feed. This will help make sure your child doesn't get too hungry (and fussy) in the car. If you're pumping, keep your regular routine to keep your breasts from becoming engorged.

Tip 5: Find a Place to Pull Over Where You Feel Comfortable to Nurse

You may choose to pull over and nurse or pump in your car when breastfeeding while traveling. Or, maybe you could find a place you feel comfortable in, either inside a restaurant or at the park. Keep in mind, as you navigate how to travel while breastfeeding, that there are breastfeeding laws in all 50 states to protect your right to feed your baby anywhere and anytime — covered or uncovered. That includes public or private locations.

Shop Breastfeeding Clothes at Nursing Queen Today

Nursing Queen is your one-stop shop for the latest trends and the most functional finds for nursing clothes. Whether you’re seeking nursing pajamas, breastfeeding tees, or even pumping scrubs that offer discreet access and are fashionable and comfortable, we’ve got you covered. Explore our selection of nursing outfits, and enjoy fast shipping when you purchase today!