Storing Pumped Breast Milk on the Go: Why I Stopped Stressing About Feeding My Baby in Public
I’m currently on maternity leave with my baby girl, and I just need to say this: feeding your baby in public is NORMAL.
Not everyone has access to a clean, comfortable nursing room every time they leave the house. Sometimes there isn’t a family room nearby. Sometimes the only option is a random bench, the backseat of a car, or a stroller while walking through the park. And honestly? That’s okay.
I think a lot of us put so much pressure on ourselves to make breastfeeding “invisible” or “private enough” for everyone else’s comfort. But motherhood is already exhausting enough. Even if we carry formula with us, the temperature can change depending on the weather or environment, and it may not even be the most comfortable temperature for the baby anymore. Meanwhile, breastmilk is literally ready whenever baby needs it.
I’m actually really grateful for my wearable pump. The capacity is pretty decent — around 5-6 oz — and the battery lasts long enough that I genuinely feel free leaving the house with my baby. On nice days, I wear it while taking walks with her. If she gets hungry, I just put her in the stroller, pour the milk from the pump into a bottle, and feed her right there.
And honestly? I refuse to feel ashamed about taking a pump out of my bra. At this point, I’ve realized most people are far less concerned than we imagine they are. The world does not end because a mother feeds her baby outside the house.