“You don’t need a diaper bag, a pump bag, a purse, and a lunch bag or cooler just to leave your home,” explains Ashley Blankenship, breastfeeding counselor, founder of Supported Season, and creator of Bump Up Birth Method. “Consolidate as much as you can to make it as easy as possible!” From choosing between sizes, colors and patterns, totes and crossbody bags, and more, a lot goes into finding the right bag. But don’t forget to look past the aesthetics and consider price, durability, and ease of cleaning. When researching pump storage bags for this list, we looked at their size and cost and chose bags that have insulated compartments for storing milk—or bags that have enough space to store a separate cooler. Here are the best breast pump bags on the market today. This affordable bag has everything you need, which is why we’re naming it the best overall pick. The top portion of the bag has tons of interior pockets to hold and organize your breast pump and accessories, while the bottom part is insulated and can hold up to six baby bottles and a large ice pack. It also claims to keep them cold for up to 15 hours, so you don’t have to worry about rushing home if you need to pump on the go. As a bonus, it has a USB charging port, headphone port, and an anti-theft pocket for extra security. We also love that it’s available in a wide range of stylish color combinations. When you no longer need it for pumping, it works great as a lunch bag or travel backpack. One caveat is that it’s not machine-washable. While the inside of the bag is easy to wipe down, if you have any large spills or happen to stain the outside, it will need to be hand-washed. Price at time of publication: $37 Material: Not specified | Size: 10.20 x 7.50 x 13.30 inches The bag has a zippered top as well as a side zipper for easy access to your pump, several interior pockets, as well as two insulated pockets that can keep breast milk cold for up to six hours (with an icepack). Price at time of publication: $190 Material: Nylon with leather straps | Size: 15 x 7 x 16.75 inches Price at time of publication: $60 Material: Polyester | Size: 3.5 x 7 x 12.5 inches It has zip closure along the top and an adjustable shoulder strap for carrying. Since it’s made of nylon, you can easily spot clean it if it gets dirty. Price at time of publication: $98 Material: Nylon twill body, Buffalo PU trim, Jelly PVC pouch, polyester lining, zinc alloy hardware | Size: 19.5 x 12.5 x 8 inches There are three foil-lined pockets where you can store bottles to keep them cool (though there isn’t space for an ice pack) and a side zipper for easy access to the pump without having to unpack everything in the bag. It also comes with a removable shoulder strap so you can convert it into a crossbody bag. It’s made with tear-proof water-resistant fabric and is available in three stylish colors. Price at time of publication: $43 Material: Water-resistant nylon | Size: 15.7 x 7.9 x 11.8 inches The bag’s interior lining is treated to resist mold and mildew, and if the bag gets really dirty it can be tossed into the washing machine for cleaning. Material: Teflon-treated fabric | Size: 13 x 12 x 6 inches Price at time of publication: $40 Material: Polyester | Size: Not listed Price at time of publication: $54 Material: Polyester | Size: 5.9 x 9.1 x 7.1 inches
What to Look for in a Breast Pump Bag
Size
When shopping for your breast pump bag, think about how you plan to use it, because your lifestyle is a very important factor in how large or small your bag should be. Are you looking for something to travel with? Or do you want a bag to carry your laptop or notebook in for work? “Think about how you will need to use the bag and what needs to fit. Obviously, it needs to fit your pump, pump parts, and pumping accessories. It’ll need to fit the milk containers of your choice,” Blankenship says. “Keep in mind how long you’ll typically be away and calculate how many containers you’ll need to use within that time frame. Make sure your bag will have enough room to hold them all.” Side note: If you do want a bag that’s large enough to fit a laptop and/or tablet, take that measurement into consideration as well.
Insulation
If you aren’t at home, you’ll need a place to store your breast milk after pumping so that it doesn’t spoil. You may not always have easy access to a refrigerator for storage, which is something to factor into your search for a breast pump bag. “You’re going to want a bag that has an insulated compartment (or space for a cooler bag) and a few additional pockets, especially if you’re planning on also using it as a diaper bag or purse,” Blankenship tells Verywell Family. If it does have space for bottle storage, is there also enough room for an ice pack? Blankenship recommends using an ice pack if you’re going to be out for more than four hours. Finally, consider how many bottles you need it to hold and for how long it needs to keep them cool. Some bags simply have insulated interior pockets while others have separate cooler compartments.
Style
First, narrow down what type of bag you’d like to have, such as a tote, crossbody, backpack, or convertible style. What will work best with your lifestyle and needs? Then, consider whether or not it’s comfortable. Does it have adjustable straps? Do the straps have padding? Is it easy to carry or a little clunky? “With all of these goodies that may need to fit in your bag, it’s likely to be a bit heavy,” says Blankenship, adding, “Get one that has comfortable carrying straps.” Finally, make sure it’s something that matches your personal style. You could be carrying this bag around with you every day for more than a year, so you want it to be something that works with your wardrobe and that you don’t mind seeing every single day. “There are so many options nowadays for pump bags; find one you think is cute and can feel good about carrying, too!” recommends Blankenship.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products, and key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include design, quality, and user reviews. “It’s a good idea to carry an extra shirt and/or bra in case of leakage,” she says. “Breast pads, nipple cream, hand sanitizer, and pictures of your baby can keep you prepared while out and about.” Keeping a well-stocked breast pump bag means you’re less likely to forget the essentials when you’re on the go. “As long as dirty diapers are not coming into the bag, and your diaper-changing items are in a different compartment than your pump, you can surely use your pump bag as a diaper bag,” says Blankenship. “You don’t need a diaper bag, a pump bag, a purse, and a lunch bag/cooler just to leave your home. Consolidate as much as you can to make it as easy as possible!”
