Updated 6 November 2026. This is Elisa’s personal account of breastfeeding during our early travels, rather than a statement of the law or social expectations in every country.

If you are thinking of travelling with young children and are wondering what breastfeeding is like when on the go, then here you will find my thoughts on what breastfeeding is like when traveling during infancy and beyond.

Our very first international trip with Javi was when he was 15 months old and we headed to Japan.  Prior to our trip, I scoured the internet looking for an answer to my question.  Can you openly breastfeed in Japan?

What led me to ask this question was a mixture of being scared of the unknown, what is the cultural norm in this place?  Would I get in trouble with the law?  Would I run into trouble with the locals?

However I had no such luck and asked in a forum to see if other members could give me some clarity.  At this stage what had become clear was that the Japanese had a reputation of being quite reserved and it appeared that breastfeeding was something best done in private.  I found information online saying that in Japan you could find the best nursing rooms and that breastfeeding mums were well catered for.

Now that is great news, right?  Well, not so much.  Nursing rooms are usually found in shopping centres and unless you are planning on spending your days there then it’s not exactly convenient.  As a traveler our time is usually spent at locations where sourcing a private place to breastfeed just wouldn’t work.

While in Japan we spent many days walking and using public transport, visiting museums and temples along the way. A carrier was useful, but feeding in one needs care: support the baby with your hands, keep the airway clear and return them to an upright position after feeding. The Australian Breastfeeding Association explains safe positioning.

It turns out the Japanese people we encountered were reserved but were beautifully friendly and kind.  You couldn’t tell most times that Javi was feeding but other times specially while in long distance train rides we openly fed (no cover, no carrier, boob out).  People just went along their merry way and minded their own business.

Our next international destination was Bali, Indonesia.  By this time around I didn’t worry so much.  In fact I even encountered other local breastfeeding mums.  Once again I didn’t go out of my way to cover Javier, now 19 months old, and breastfed according to his needs and no one batted an eye.

Last time around we visited a few locations in South East Asia, including Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia, and again breastfeeding wasn’t a big deal. Locals even came up to chat and see the baby while he breastfed.

So to answer the question.  What is breastfeeding like when traveling?  It is exactly what it should be for both mum and bub, catering to each others needs and whatever makes you comfortable.  In my experience, being confident and comfortable in your own skin means that you should carry on whatever way you see fit.  It doesn’t matter if that might be covering baby or not, wearing nursing tops or not, feeding on the go or not.
Knowing the local setting can help you find a comfortable place to feed. Nursing rooms, a quiet seat or a break at your accommodation may suit different moments of a trip. The kindness we experienced was personal to those encounters; it cannot predict how every situation will unfold.

Before travelling, check reliable destination-specific information about breastfeeding rights and available facilities. Laws and practices vary, so our experiences should not be treated as a legal guide.

I’d love to hear your experiences so feel free to comment below and let’s get talking about this important topic!

Elisa

While you are here don’t forget to check out our 5 tips for travelling with a baby or toddler to help you keep your sanity.

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