Efficient Travel Pumping: Mastering Your On-the-Go System for Breastfeeding Moms

As I shared in my most recent blog post, “Traveling with a Breast Pump: Essential Gear and Tips for Convenient Pumping”, traveling while breast feeding requires a lot of stuff. My complete list outlines all my favorite “must haves” as well as several products that I have found that made my pumping journey easier when on the go. However, having all the necessary supplies is only part of the equation. Once you have everything you need, you might be wondering, "What's next?" In this post, I aim to provide a detailed explanation of the process I follow for traveling and storing breast milk while pumping on the go. 

For me, this process can be divided into three distinct phases: storing and transporting milk immediately after pumping, storing pumped milk for several days while traveling, and traveling back home with pumped milk. For each phase, I’m sharing my complete process and how I use all my “must haves” to make pumping as convenient as possible.  

In this conversation, I reference many of the products I described in my last post. As an Amazon Associate, I do receive a small commission when you purchase through one of my links. I really appreciate your support! 

 Storing and Transporting Milk Immediately After Pumping 

With my 4-month-old, I'm on a strict schedule of pumping every three hours. Let me tell you, those three hours zip by when you're traveling!  Ideally, it’s easiest to pump when I am at my hotel or Airbnb and have immediate access to a refrigerator and sink. During these times, I don’t have to worry about transporting breast milk. However, most of the time I'm out and about—on planes, grabbing a bite, hopping in Ubers, sightseeing—you name it, I'm doing it when it's time to pump. 

At these times, here's what I've figured out works best for me. My first must have is my portable Elvie Breast Pump. I’ve previously used the Spectra while traveling (which is doable), but the portable breast pump has been a game changer in allowing me to still be mobile while on the move! 

After I have completed my pumping session, I then transfer the expressed milk into my Ceres Chill. The Ceres Chill has been a real lifesaver. It has two compartments, so I’m able to store the milk in one and fill the other with ice to keep the milk nice and chilled. And I’ve found it has been easy to find ice on the go. (When using my referral link, the code “MCKENZIE” will get you 15% off!)  

After storing the milk, I then use breast pump wipes to wipe down all my pumping parts. This doesn’t get everything as clean as thoroughly washing it in a sink, but it gets the job done enough to eliminate the milk residue.  

Once I've wiped everything down, I toss the pump parts into a wet/dry bag for safekeeping. Then, I pack my breast pump, the wet/dry bag full of dirty pump parts, and my Ceres Chill filled with liquid gold into a backpack for easy transport. 

This system keeps the pumping process discreet, quick, and ensures your milk stays fresh and chilled, no matter where you are! 

Storing Pumped Milk for Several Days While Traveling 

I stick to my trusty on-the-go pumping system, which involves adding milk to my Ceres Chill and giving my pump parts a good wipe until I'm back at my hotel or Airbnb, where I can finally enjoy the luxury of a fridge and a sink. Once back, I get to work prepping all my liquid gold for safe keeping until traveling back home.  

First things first, I empty the contents of the Ceres Chill into breastmilk storage bags. Since this is also what I use at home, I like to stay consistent and use bags as a compact and efficient way to store and eventually transfer my precious milk. To measure the amount of milk going into each bag, I will use a breast milk collection and storage bottle that has the ounces clearly labeled. I usually aim to create 6 oz bags, so that I can consolidate the milk as much as possible. Once the milk is all bagged up, I will then store it in a refrigerator.  

Now, it's time to tackle the aftermath. I get to work cleaning all the used pump parts, the wet/dry bag itself, and the Ceres Chill. I use a travel baby bottle drying rack and bottle soap specifically designed for traveling to give everything a good wash in the sink. If I have access to a microwave, I will also use a microwave steam sterilizer bag to make sure all the pump parts are fully sterilized and good to go.  

I keep repeating this process of on-the-go pumping, storing milk in the Ceres Chill, stashing dirty pump parts in the wet/dry bag, transferring milk into storage bags for the fridge, and giving all the parts a thorough wash in the sink throughout the entire trip. 

Traveling Back Home with Pumped Breast Milk  

Once it's time to head back home, I begin the final step in my breast milk traveling routine. I will use a cooler bag to transport all the milk bags full of breast milk through the airport. I treat the cooler as my carry-on bag, and since the breast pump counts as a medical device, I get an extra carry-on allowance. So far, I haven't had any issues with TSA when I inform them about the breast milk in the cooler. They usually just check my hands for any residue or test a drop of milk with a strip. They've never insisted on opening more than one bag of milk. 

If I have access to a freezer while on my trip, I will freeze ice blocks to put inside the cooler to keep it cold. But if there's no freezer available, like in a hotel room, I simply bring Ziplock bags to fill with ice and put them in the cooler. I empty out the ice before going through airport security and refill it once I'm through. 

During the day of travel, any milk that I pump will go into my Ceres Chill and I will follow my process outlined in storing and transporting milk immediately after pumping. That is, once the cooler is packed up, I don’t add any more milk to it.  

Lastly, I want to mention Milk Stork, a breast milk shipping company. Luckily, my employer offers their services for free when I travel for work, which is a fantastic perk!  Milk Stork offers boxes to either ship or transport chilled or frozen breast milk. If your employer offers this service or if you have the means, I think Milk Stork is an even easier alternative to the cooler system for transporting milk.  

So there you have it! That's my experienced mama's process for pumping breast milk on the go and how I use all my must-have products. I hope you found it useful and picked up a tip or two for your next travel adventures. Until next time, XXX McKenzie.