The Best Breast Pump Bag
The Ju-Ju-Be Be Supplied is the perfect bag for breastfeeding moms. Its high-quality construction extends the life of this bag well beyond your pumping years, and it transitions smoothly into a great diaper bag or tote. You can conveniently fit a 13" laptop inside the rear pocket, and the backpack and shoulder straps are interchangeable and well-padded for versatility and carrying heavy loads. The Be Supplied exudes quality, from the gold hardware to the quality zippers. The lightweight material is coated with a Teflon fabric protector to repel stains, and all Ju-Ju-Be bags are machine-washable, making it easy to keep everything sanitary, which is important for pumping. You can combine this bag with the Ju-Ju-Be Be Equipped that includes a small wet bag, a mini bottle cooler, and an organizer bag to help keep all of your supplies in their place.
Although Ju-Ju-Be products tend to be expensive, the Be Supplied is a reasonable price for the quality and durability. In fact, it is a fantastic diaper bag that will last years past your pumping days. This Ju-Ju-Be only has one insulated pocket design to store the pump, which is a bummer as additional insulated compartments to store your expressed milk would be useful. The Be Supplied is one of the smaller Ju-Ju-Be breast pump bags, so if space is an issue, we encourage you to consider the Ju-Ju-Be Be Pumped.
Read the Review: Ju-Ju-Be Be Supplied
The Sarah Wells Kelly is a large bag with enough room for a hospital-grade pump and a 17-inch laptop. It can be used with the pump inside the bag and can keep milk cool for up to 6 hours when paired with an icepack. We like the multiple carry methods of the Kelly which include tote, shoulder strap, and padded backpack straps. This bag has impressive metal hardware, a wipable surface, and metal feet for impressive functionality and ease of use. With several outside pockets to keep personal items within reach for quick retrieval, we think its hard to find a better bag for lots of supplies.
The Kelly is an average weight bag but its large interior means you might want to overfill it making it harder to carry. It is also somewhat spendy, though less expensive than similar bags and competing Sarah wells options. We also wish this bag had padded shoulder straps on par with its impressive backpack padding. Despite these minor hiccups we really like this versatile bag and think it is a must-have for those with larger pumps or hospital-grade needs.
Read the Review: Sarah Wells Kelly
Dr Brown's Carryall is a great option if you want a highly functional, budget-friendly bag. This bag's simple look makes it great for a variety of uses, including a pump bag, diaper bag, or mom tote (fits a 15" laptop), so you can use it beyond your pumping days. This bag is nice and lightweight, which is great since breast pump bags can get weighed down once it is full of essentials. This bag is easy to clean with a damp rag, which is useful as a milk mess is inevitable. The Carryall Tote is a no-frills bag that is great for the mom on the go.
The Carryall has two zippered access panels on either side of the bag that provides access to the breast pump and accessories. However, these panels open directly to the main compartment with no separation. While this can be convenient to fit larger pumps, it also means that items will shift and likely be less organized. While it has a nice outer pocket that can accommodate a laptop, and a few inner pockets, you'll probably want to invest in some pouches, like this set from Ju-Ju-Be for better organization.
Read the Review: Dr Brown's Carryall
The Sarah Wells Abby is a terrific choice if you're looking for a well-organized and professional-looking bag. This bag has two exterior pockets for storing small items like a phone and keys, and the interior boasts a separate laptop compartment (fitting up to a 15" laptop), a zippered pocket, and two open pouches. It also has two generous insulated side pockets. One side is for pump storage and is large enough to fit a Spectra pump (though it is a snug fit). The other insulated compartment is perfect for storing expressed milk. We fit in a full day's gear with plenty of room to spare in this spacious bag. You can also use this bag when your pumping days are over. The insulated pockets can be snapped up and out of the way to create more room for use as a diaper bag, overnight bag, or camera bag. Also, if the bag doesn't work for you, there is 100% satisfaction guaranteed lifetime warranty.
While the tote handles on this bag are comfortable, the shoulder strap could use extra padding. You also need to be careful not to overfill it, as the spacious interior can lead to a heavy load. Also, some users reported durability issues, noting problems with the zipper, the stitching on the handle coming undone, and the blue and white stripes "bleeding." We didn't run into these issues during testing, but you should check for these issues when you get your bag. If you need to exchange or return a bag, the Sarah Wells team will greet you with excellent customer service.
Read the Review: Sarah Wells Abby
The Medela bag is a compact bag designed to carry only the necessities required for pumping. This simple classic is the smallest in our tests and is specific for Medela products. This purse-style bag is great if you need to carry only your pump and a few extra items such as a phone and wallet and don't plan to carry a laptop or want a larger tote. The bag has four small exterior pockets and an interior mesh pocket. This bag is durable with water-resistant fabric that is easy to wipe clean; it is well made and should hold up for many years.
This bag is the smallest option in the roundup. If you need to carry more than your pump, such as a laptop, lunch, or daily essentials, then this is not the bag for you. There is a power adaptor port for the pump plug, but it can be a pain to push and pull the plug through each time, resulting in some users taking the pump out of the bag instead. Despite these size-related hiccups, if you have a Medela pump and few supplies, then this might be the bag for you.
Read the Review: Medela Breast Pump Bag
The New Yorker is a classy higher-end bag for professional working moms. We are impressed by the high-quality materials and its timeless look. As the largest bag in the group, it has great organizational features and will fit just about anything you'll need to make it through the day. There are two main compartments with a top portion for purse items, and a lower portion to hold a pump and cooler. The upper portion has a plethora of pockets for better organization, and the fact that it is completely separate from your pumping supplies means your items won't fall into an endless pit. This bag also has a convenient laptop pocket on the outside that fit our 15" MacBook with a case inside.
We like the separate top and bottom compartments, but it does create a potential problem of bag collapse if the top part is full and the bottom is empty. This bag is also one of the heaviest in the group when empty. Also, there is no padding on the shoulder strap, so your shoulders might get sore after carrying this large, heavy bag for longer durations. Overall, this professional-looking option is an excellent choice for anyone looking for space or heading to the office.
Read the Review: The "New Yorker" by Charlie G
The Sarah Wells Lizzy is a well-made, larger bag that won't break the bank. This bag is super roomy and has plenty of space for all of your gear, a 15" laptop, and more. You can fit a Spectra pump in one of the two insulated pockets and expressed milk in the other, and it even comes with a cute picture pocket for your baby's photo to help with letdown. The material is easy to clean, but any moisture will soak into the fabric is left long enough. The Lizzie comes in a variety of stylish patterns.
This bag is difficult to keep organized. It's so spacious that it can start to feel a bit like Mary Poppin's bag if you aren't careful. We suggest investing in some smaller storage pods, like Ju-Ju-Be Be Equipped, to help improve organization. Also, this bag is floppy, and unless you have it stuffed full, it is going to sag and droop. However, if you don't mind a relaxed look, then the Lizzie is a great bag that can transition into a multipurpose carryall once you're past your pumping days.
Read the Review: Sarah Wells Lizzy
The Bananafish Madison is a cute, inexpensive backpack that can carry your basic pumping items. It has enough room to fit all of the items from our list of essentials and a small laptop, and the numerous pockets help keep everything organized. The front pocket is designed to hold your pump and works well with a Medela pump or something of similar size. The Spectra can fit in the main compartment, but this will reduce the storage you have for other items. This bag is a casual, durable backpack that can withstand a little weather.
From our research, there appears to be a quality control issue with the Madison. While the majority of users are pleased with this bag, some complaints of loose stitching causing holes, straps breaking, and zipper problems. This bag has a boxy style, and the inside liner is not stitched in place. While the Madison isn't as impressive as some of the competition, it is an adorable and functional bag with a useful backpack carry style.
Read the Review: Bananafish Madison
The jay elle Type A is a no-frills bag loaded with cool accessories. It is available in three different styles and comes with a cooler, accessory and wet bag, dry cloth, and jay elle C.O.D.E. book. Because the interior of the bag is a single large compartment with a small divider, it is nice to have the multiple storage pods to keep your things in order. We were able to fit all of the essentials and a 15" laptop inside. When used with ice packs, the cooler bag does a nice job keeping expressed milk cold for a few hours. The cooler bag has unique Velcro dividers that can be rearranged, taken out, or adjusted to accommodate different bottles.
This bag is not the best quality. The materials seem cheaper, especially when compared to some of the higher-end bags in this group, and some users report problems with the construction. Overall, this bag is useful for occasional all-day use.
Read the Review: jay elle Type A
Why You Should Trust Us
The breast pump bag round-up team is lead by our founder, Dr. Juliet Spurrier. Dr. Spurrier is a board-certified pediatrician and mother of two. She is instrumental in product selection and testing to help narrow the product field to the absolute best contenders. Dr. Spurrier has been testing diaper and breast pump bags for more than seven years. The team is rounded out by Senior Review Editors, Wendy Schmitz, and Senior Review Editor, Abriah Wofford. Wendy is a mother of two with a degree in biology. She uses her experience in scientific testing to analyze and test products with a critical eye. Abriah joined the bag team in 2017, helping test hands-on ease of use, features and functionality, and quality.
We spent more than 100 hours researching and hands-on testing the breast pump bags we review. We honed in on several issues we think you should consider when searching for the perfect breast pump bag. We evaluated the bag quality, whether or not it could fit the large Spectra breast pump, if a laptop can fit (size?), and overall function and ease of use.
Analysis
Our analysis explores the pros and cons of more than 30 competitors before narrowing the field to 8 options for testing. We tested these breast pump bags side-by-side for quality, functionality, and size to determine our favorites.
Weight is an Ease-of-Use Factor
Finding a good balance between functionality and size is essential. You want a bag that will meet all of your needs without weighing you down. As part of our testing process, we weighed each bag. Having a good idea of how heavy the bag is will help you determine how much gear you want to pack.
The Medela is the lightest bag weighing only 0.8 lbs, with the The New Yorker weighing the most at 2.8 lbs. While the difference between the two is only two pounds, once you add a pump and supplies, your personal items, and a laptop, those two pounds are the difference between a useful bag and one you hesitate to use because it's too darn heavy. Weight might be higher on your consideration list if you'll be carrying the bag regularly for a longer time. Lugging a heavy bag a half-mile to the metro is significantly different than carrying it from your home to the car and then into your office. The average bag weight is close to 1.4 lbs, like the roomy Sarah Wells "Kelly" that can hold a 17-inch laptop and a hospital-grade pump.
Taking your breast pump on-the-town isn't ideal. It's no fun lugging it around, but a great bag can ease the load. You probably purchased a pump, never really considering how it would get from A to B. The use of pumps is increasing, but many moms don't realize how many choices they have when considering how to carry them. Using multiple bags - work bag, lunch, pump, and parts - can be annoying. Leaving home can be challenging, and packing everything you need in a single bag can be useful. Consolidating your supplies into one lovely and professional-looking bag can decrease daily frustrations.
In 2015, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics released compelling data about working mothers. The labor force participation rate of working moms with children under three was 61.4%. The popularity of breastfeeding has risen as a result of the health and cost benefits. Labor laws mandate the availability of proper pumping facilities for breastfeeding mothers, along with adequate time to pump, without a strike against the employee. Also, now that many health insurance companies cover breast pump costs, many working mothers are choosing to express milk when they go back to work so they can continue breastfeeding once their maternity leave is over.
The two best reasons to acquire a breast pump bag are discretion and function. Having the ability to carry pump supplies in a stylish and discreet carryall can make transporting your pump less noticeable. Advertising to everyone that you are pumping can be uncomfortable for some moms, and a stylish bag can create discretion that keeps your secret. Alternatively, you may loath going out with so many supplies. Carrying a car seat with a baby, a well-stocked diaper bag, a purse, a pump, and a work bag, can quickly become overwhelming. This collection of items can leave you feeling more like a pack mule than a working professional. Utilizing a solitary bag can considerably simplify your life. Finding a useful bag for your pump can help ease your load and retain your privacy.
We tested multiple breast pump bags to compare how well they cope with the needs of busy pumping moms. We tried various pumps in each bag to see what fits and what didn't. We also added the gear we think moms will want or need for a day away from home. Our personal items lists include a variety of things that we believe are essential for moms. Because it is difficult to determine how well a bag will work in real life and what it will hold or how well it can organize supplies, we think it is vital to see what the bags look like and how they perform when packed with mom essentials.
Personal Essentials
- Multiple-key keychain
- Wallet
- Mobile phone & charger
- Water bottle
- Snacks
- Tablet
- Laptop and cord
- Lipstick/Makeup
- Pen
- Lotion
A bag is just a hole until you add the useful features that turn it into something special and functional. Features can make life much easier by increasing the bag's overall functionality. They can change an ok bag into a fantastic bag by organizing, separating, holding, insulating, and so much more. Most of the bags we tested have quite a few features. Things like metal feet and key rings, spots fora wallet or phone, insulated pockets, helpful enclosures, carrying options, water bottle holders, and easy clean fabrics are all features that make a difference in how enjoyable a bag is to use. The Sarah Wells "Kelly" has metal feet, a key clip, a water bottle pocket, and an insulated pump pocket.
Having a water-resistant bag is helpful. Whether it is accidental spills or inclement weather, your bag will encounter wetness. With a busy schedule, the last thing you want to fuss with is a soiled bag. While many of the options in this review can wipe clean, not all of them repel liquid for more than a few seconds; therefore, they would not withstand a leaking bottle or rainstorm.
There is no need to sacrifice style for functionality. Feeling confident and stylish carrying your supplies can influence how often you bring them along or use them. If you find a tote you like, you'll want to use it through pumping, diapers, and possibly longer. Luckily, as pumping has become more common, there are more breast pump bags available today than ever before. So whether you want a utilitarian, purely-for-function bag, or something more stylish, you don't need to look far. Professionals returning to work might consider the New Yorker or the Sarah Wells Abby as both are stylish looking and work appropriate.
Quality is as important as style, possibly more so. On average, pumping at work takes 15-25 minutes each time for approximately three times a day. That means you'll use the bag frequently, it will go with you almost everywhere. The last thing you want is to purchase a second bag if the original falls apart. We believe, this is why it is worth spending the extra money to buy a larger, higher quality bag from the get-go.
Finding a compromise between a convenient size and a useful capacity is often more challenging than expected. We find that just because a bag is large, it doesn't always translate to usable space. We also find that higher quality materials tend to weigh more, but they don't need to be a burden. A superior combo is a large bag with excellent organization featues. An easily accessible organization plan can help streamline your pump breaks and decrease your stress. After much testing, we think the sweet spot is around 15" wide, 8-10" deep, and about 11.5-12" tall. Many of the options in this roundup are within this range, with a little variation for those who need more space versus those who need less.
Breastmilk is the "liquid gold" of babyhood, which makes it a valuable commodity that moms work hard to provide for their growing little ones. Being apart from your baby can be heartbreaking in the beginning and the need to pump to keep up your milk supply can make it all the more challenging. Utilizing a breast pump can help you keep up your supply, create a back stock for when you are away from baby, and keep your baby in your thoughts as you continue to provide for them while away. We recommend that you choose your breast pump first before selecting the best bag that meets your needs and fits your pump. This approach helps you find the best combination of pump and bag that will work for the long haul to keep you rich in milk.
— Juliet Spurrier, MD & Lindsay Selig