10 Stylish Bags Built to Carry Your Breast Pump
The need to pump breast milk is a reality most moms face at one point or another—but that doesn’t mean you want the whole world to know when you’re carrying your pump around. Thankfully, modern-day designers get it, and have come up with plenty of practical-yet-chic breast pump bag variations to keep your motor, machine parts and stored milk secure and discreet.
Technically, you could use any purse you own to carry your pumping gear around, but there are some key benefits to getting a breast pump bag that’s specifically made for the job:
• A pump bag with a structured bottom keeps the machine from knocking around.
• The whole motor can often stay in the bag while you pump, thanks to a panel that zips open to give you access to its controls.
• It can accommodate a cooler to keep your milk fresh, plus multiple pockets to hold pump parts, like the tubing, and wipes to clean up between sessions.
• For women expressing milk on the job, a breast pump bag looks professional and stylish enough to wear to the office.
Health insurance companies will issue free breast pumps to new moms, but to keep costs down they usually give out pumps without a dedicated bag, leaving women to find one of their own. Fortunately, that means retailers are now offering plenty of awesome breast pump bag options for you to choose from. Here are a few of our favorites.
Best breast pump backpack
A backpack is a smart breast pump bag solution, since it leaves your hands free to push your stroller or carry your regular work bag. The Madison backpack has a lightweight body but thick straps ready to cart your pump; users say even though the bag looks small, it can fit large pump models like the Spectra. It’s got plenty of pockets for accessories but no extra cooler bag—although at this low price, that’s easy enough to buy separately.
Buy it: Bananafish Madison Electric Breastpump Backpack, $40, Amazon.com
Best breast pump tote bag
Nothing about this stylish nylon tote screams breast pump bag. It’s chic enough to take to the country club, but inside you’ll see a lot of touches specifically for nursing moms. It features a side zipper to give you access to your (portable-size) pump without removing it from the bag, plus insulated side pockets and even space for your laptop, making this a perfect pumping bag for work. The fabric is easy to wipe down, but the real leather handles preserve an air of elegance.
Buy it: Sarah Wells Abby Breast Pump Bag, $180, Amazon.com
Best breast pump shoulder bag
If you’re looking for something lightweight and easy to sling over your shoulder, try the Be Supplied bag. It’s a featherweight purse with memory-foam shoulder straps for maximum comfort, and features plenty of accessory pockets. Note, though, you’ll need to buy a cooler bag to go with it.
Buy it: Ju-Ju-Be Be Supplied Pumping Bag, $125, Nordstrom.com
Best pumping bag for work
Fit for any boardroom meeting, this quilted black bag with a gold-link handle a cooler cleverly conceals a cooler bag, a wet bag, an accessory bag and a cloth to dry your pump parts. Just toss in your pump and you’re set for work.
Buy it: Jay Elle Breast Pump Bag 6-Piece Set, $160, Amazon.com
Most stylish breast pump bag
Sleek and ultra-chic, this black breast pump bag can take you anywhere, from weekend trips to high-profile work events. It’s made from easy-to-clean nylon and features insulated, zippered compartments at the bottom of the bag for your pump and cooler, plus an upper compartment for all your personal items, like keys, phone, laptop and pumping accessories. Best of all, it boasts universal pump compatibility, so whether you’re looking for a Spectra breast pump bag, Medela pump bag or other, this tote is your answer.
Buy it: Charlie G. New Yorker Breast Pump Bag, $130, Amazon.com
Best bargain breast pump bag
This HaloVa backpack is a diaper bag that doubles as a convenient breast pump carry bag, thanks to the built-in insulated bottle holder and the bottom zipper that gives you direct access to your machine. “Everything I need for my pump fits in nicely!” one mom raves.
Buy it: HaloVa Diaper Bag Multi-function Waterproof Travel Backpack, $36, Amazon.com
Best patterned breast pump bag
A new mom designed this bag as a cute alternative to the boring black bag her pump came with. It’s not gigantic, but it’ll hold the larger breast pump models if you take out the insert. In addition to pockets for pump accessories, it’s got one that keeps your laptop or tablet separate, plus an outside pocket made to hold your commuter mug of coffee.
Buy it: Nurse Purse breast pump bag, $49, Nursepurse.com
Best travel breast pump bag
This large breast pump bag makes for a perfect travel carry-on. The roomy bottom compartment can easily house your pump (even larger models like the Spectra) and your cooler, each easily accessible through the zippered drop-down panel. It can also hold plenty of extras, like your laptop, nursing cover, cosmetic bag, reading material and more, thanks to the separated top compartment with interior pockets. Don’t feel like slinging all of that over your shoulder? You’ll love that this doubles as a breast pump backpack.
Buy it: Luxja Breast Pump Bag, $54, Amazon.com
Best sporty breast pump bag
This thickly padded, insulated bag has a separate two-bottle mini cooler that comes with it too, so you’ll never have to worry about running out of space. Its economical size is just big enough for your pump and its parts, and the thick shoulder strap can be removed if you want to leave this bag at work as your milk storage solution.
Buy it: Pottery Barn Classic Breast Pump Bag, $79, Potterybarnkids.com
Best cooler bag
Some moms opt to keep their pump at work and just tote the expressed milk to and from home. If you don’t need a bag big enough to carry a pump, consider the Bon Appetit Chiller, an insulated cooler masquerading as a pretty purse. Add an ice pack and it’ll keep your liquid gold chilled for up to five hours. It’s large enough to hold your lunch too.
Buy it: Bumble Collection Bon Appetit Chiller, $30, Bumblecollection.com
Updated August 2019 Plus, more from The Bump:
