The first time I travelled overseas while breastfeeding, my son was 13 months old.
We flew from Cairns to Singapore - around a seven-hour flight. By that stage, we were deep in the distracted-eater phase, and what surprised me most wasn’t the destination or packing - it was the mental load of feeding away from home.
Before we’d even left, I kept thinking: how am I going to nurse him on a plane?
He’d be on my lap, likely with a stranger beside me, in close quarters, for hours. I knew he’d want to feed multiple times - especially to settle to sleep and for comfort during take off and landing - and the idea of doing that felt overwhelming.
On the flight, things weren’t disastrous - but they weren’t easy either.
It was well past his bedtime. The overhead lights were on. I tried to use the airline blanket to create privacy and block out light, but it was thick, hot, and awkward.
He was too warm.
I was too warm.
And I couldn’t see him properly.
It made an already tricky moment harder than it needed to be.
Looking back now, that experience - along with many others - played a big role in why I created the Cowrie.
I still wanted to travel. I still wanted to move through the world. I just wanted nursing to feel calmer and more supported in close quarters and unfamiliar environments.
The Cowrie was designed to create a breathable, comfortable privacy bubble - whether you’re navigating busy terminals or sitting next to a stranger at thirty-five thousand feet - without overheating, without feeling exposed, and without losing sight of your baby.
Travelling with a baby isn’t just about feeding, though.
When you’re out of routine, naps happen in prams, carriers, rental cars, and places you didn’t plan for. Having something familiar to help block light and create a sense of coziness made a real difference to how settled my baby was - and how free I felt to keep going.
I’ve also found that when travelling to different countries and cultures, having something that allows you to adapt - respectfully and comfortably - makes those moments feel seamless rather than stressful.
What I wish I’d known earlier is this:
Travelling with a breastfed baby isn’t about being fearless.
It’s about reducing friction where you can.
If travelling was something you loved before having a baby, it doesn’t have to disappear. It just changes. And with the right support, it becomes possible again.
Not carefree.
But meaningful.
And worth it.
For me, having the right support made travelling while breastfeeding feel possible again. If you’re looking for something that offers calm, breathable comfort, you can Learn more about the Cowrie here →
