Pumping on the Go: How to Feel Prepared and Empowered Before You Leave the House
Hey friends,
Jessica here from Genuine Lactation, and today I’m sharing one of my most-requested guides: how to leave your house as a pumping parent and actually have it go smoothly.
If you’ve ever tried pumping away from home, you know it’s not just about grabbing your pump and heading out the door — there are some sneaky logistical details that can make or break your day. So, let’s break it down together, because how I pump on the go might look completely different than how you will.
Whether you’re planning a quick grocery run, a full workday, or a road trip adventure — here’s your must-think-about list before you step out that door.
✅ 1️⃣ Do you have everything you need to pump?
This sounds obvious, but it’s the #1 reason I get frantic messages from parents mid-outing. So, check yourself:
Is your pump charged?
Do you have your power adapter if you’ll be pumping in the car?
If you use a wearable, is it fully juiced up — and do you have a way to recharge if you’ll be gone a while?
Are ALL your parts packed? (I once left with my Willow and forgot the flex tubes. Zero stars — do not recommend.)
Is your pump fully assembled and working? No weird noises or missing pieces?
Pro tip: If you’re like me and prone to forgetting things, stash a small backup pump or hand pump in your car. It’s saved me more than once!
✅ 2️⃣ Do you have a backup plan?
If your primary pump motor fails or a part goes rogue, what’s your Plan B? For traditional pumps, a small manual pump is perfect insurance. For wearables, odds are both motors won’t fail at once — but a simple silicone collector (like a Haakaa) can be a lifesaver if you need to hand express in a pinch.
Trust me: parenting = expect the unexpected. The same way you’d never leave with just one diaper (unless you want a blowout at Target 🤪), don’t leave without a backup pumping option.
✅ 3️⃣ How will you store your milk safely?
Milk storage on the go depends on time and temperature:
Short trip? You might not need a cooler — milk is fine at room temp for about 4 hours.
Hot day or longer outing? Bring an insulated cooler bag and ice packs. Heat speeds up bacterial growth and spoilage, so better safe than sorry.
✅ 4️⃣ How will you clean or store your pump parts?
Pumping is messy. Breast milk is fatty. Pumps leak. Ask my car’s dashboard — still sporting milk spots from my baby who’s now headed to first grade. 😂
So plan ahead:
Bring a wet bag or zip-top bag to stash used parts.
For multiple sessions, either pack extra sets or use the “fridge hack” (store parts in a cooler).
On-the-go pump wipes are your BFF. My personal faves are from Momcozy and Doppel.
And remember: If your baby is a NICU grad or immunocompromised, you may need sanitizing spray or separate sterile sets.
✅ 5️⃣ Do you have what you need to feed your baby?
This one surprises people: lots of pumping parents still have their baby with them! If that’s you, pack a feeding solution for your expressed milk. I loved keeping a simple disposable bag-and-nipple system in my diaper bag for emergencies when I forgot a bottle.
No baby with you? Skip this step!
🏆 Final Thoughts
Let’s run it back:
Do you have all pump parts and power covered?
Backup method ready?
Milk storage plan in place?
Pump parts cleaning/storage sorted?
Feeding plan if needed?
If you’re nodding “yes,” you’re set up for pumping success wherever life takes you.
And hey — if this feels overwhelming or you have a unique situation, that’s exactly what we’re here for. Book a session with Genuine Lactation, and we’ll build your custom on-the-go plan together.
You deserve to leave your house, feel prepared, and protect your milk supply. Go live your life, and happy pumping!
Need help troubleshooting?
Check out our on-demand pumping guides or book a consult at Genuine Lactation. 💙✨
