Breastfeeding on a Plane

Breastfeeding on a plane for the first time can be stressful! Before your first flight with your baby, you may be wondering – what do you need to bring for breastfeeding on a plane? What are the rules about bringing a breast pump or breast milk on a plane? What if someone gives you a hard time about breastfeeding your baby on the plane in your seat?

We’ve all read horror stories of airline or TSA representatives not being familiar with the rules for breastfeeding on a plane, like asking a breastfeeding mother to nurse in the lavatory or check her pump. While I can’t promise that no one will hassle you, here’s how to prepare as best you can so you have the smoothest experience pumping and breastfeeding while flying with a baby.

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Breastfeeding on a Plane – Can you Nurse in your Seat?

In the vast majority of cases, yes, you can nurse your baby in your seat on a flight, at any time during the flight. Be aware that each airline has their own policy about breastfeeding on a plane.

Airline Policies for Breastfeeding on an Airplane

• Delta Airlines
• United Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• Alaska Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Air Canada
• Westjet
• Easyjet

American Airlines, Lufthansa, Ryanair, British Airways and Air France are silent on their rules for breastfeeding on their flights.

If your airline is not listed above, simply Google the name of your airline + “breastfeeding policy.” Usually, it will be posted on their website, and you can print it out to bring with you.

What if I Need to Pump on a Plane? Can I Pump in My Seat?

In most cases, yes you can pump on a plane. The easiest place to pump on is in your seat, and most airlines will allow it. (Again, it’s a good idea to print out their policy before you leave).

Most of the time, because the plane is so loud and everyone is facing forward with earbuds in, most people won’t notice you or know what you’re doing. Sitting in a window seat will give you the most privacy to pump on an airplane, but that’s obviously not always possible.

7 Tips for Pumping on an Airplane

• Before you leave, when you’re packing your pumping gear, pack everything you need for each pumping session in its own ziploc bag.
  
  
• Put all the breast pump parts together as much as you can (connect everything, attach the bottles, etc.). This will make it easier and faster to get hooked up, and it also helps ensure that you don’t forget (for example) a valve or the bottles you’ll pump into.
  
  
• When it’s time to pump on the airplane, put your nursing cover on and then, if you have one, your hands-free pumping bra and hook yourself up to pump. Then just go about your business and “fake it until you make it” – act like you know what you’re doing, even if you feel weird.
  
  
• You probably won’t be allowed to pump during take-off and landing, as your pump will need to be stowed at that time.
  
  
• If you have a rechargeable breast pump, make sure that it’s fully charged before you get on the airplane.
  
  
• If you prefer, the other option to pump on the airplane is to use the restroom. If you’d rather do this, I would wait until the seat belt sign has been off for a bit (so people have time to use it after takeoff).
  
  
• You may want to let the flight attendant know what you’re doing so in case they need to know why one of the restrooms is occupied for awhile, or in case the seat belt sign suddenly comes on again and you need a few minutes to get unhooked before returning to your seat.

Don’t forget to check out our best airplane activities for babies and toddlers and these baby travel essentials!

What Breastfeeding Gear Should You Carry on and What Should You Check?

Carry on Your Breast Pump

Even if you’re not planning to use it on the plane, you should always carry on your breast pump. It’s a medical device, it’s expensive, and for many women it’s not something that you can go days without if it gets lost. Additionally, you never know if your flight will be delayed and you’ll be on the plane longer than you planned.

Since it’s a medical device, most airlines will not count a breast pump as a carry-on, but again, make sure to check the policy.

Flying with Breast Milk

There are a few different ways to fly with breast milk. In most cases, It will make the most sense to carry the milk on in a small breastmilk travel cooler.

How many ounces can you take on a plane? Breast milk is a “medical liquid” that you are allowed to bring on flights in “reasonable quantities.” It’s a good idea to print out the TSA breastmilk rules from the website before you leave, and just make sure to tell your airport security screener that you have breast milk with you.

If you have a long flight, the flight attendant may be able to provide you with ice to put in your breast milk cooler bag to keep the milk cool, but they usually won’t be able to store it for you.

However, if you’re traveling with a large quantity of frozen breast milk, some moms have had success checking breast milk in a cooler like this one.

Other Pumping & Breastfeeding Gear to Carry On

You should also carry on anything that you’ll need to nurse or pump during the flight. Some of these things might include:

• Nursing cover
• Hands-free pumping bra
• Extra sets of pump parts or cleaning wipes
• Bottles (and caps)

Other Breastfeeding & Pumping Gear to Put in Checked Luggage

Anything that you don’t need on the flight and that would be easy to replace if lost – like a boppy pillow or nipple cream – can be put in your checked luggage.

Again, the key for breastfeeding on a plane is to be prepared! Make sure to print off your airline’s breastfeeding policy along with that of the TSA, and double check to make sure you’ve packed everything you need for pumping and breastfeeding while flying in your carry on bag and in your checked luggage. And have a great trip with your baby!

Shop our entire list of breastfeeding and pumping accessories for travel with a baby!

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