So what does it mean to travel abroad with your baby and family while you are still a nursing mother? If you are not use to traveling internationally or traveling for long lengths with your baby what can you expect from the airports listed in our airport nursing rooms locator) you are traveling into? First, for any nursing mother traveling abroad it's important to do your research. Not only about the laws about nursing mothers in the country you are flying into to, all the supplies you will need but the airports you will be using to potentially nurse, change or breast pump for your baby.
And because getting there is just half the battle we've listed 8 international airports for your convenience:
1. Changi Airport (Singapore): This country takes pride in their nursing mothers and rates 4 stars by what we consider AWESOME for our moms. Here is a full list of where all their baby care rooms are located:
Terminal 1
- Near gate holdroom C24 at Departure Transit Lounge West, Level 2
- Near gate holdroom D36 at Departure Transit Lounge East, Level 2
- Near Kaboom retail outlet at Departure Transit Lounge West, Level 2
- Arrival Hall West, Public Area, Level 1
Terminal 2
- Near gate holdroom E1 at Departure Transit Lounge North, Level 2
- Departure Transit Lounge South, Level 2
- Near Check-in Row 7, Departure Check-in Hall Central, Public Area, Level 2
Terminal 3
- Arrival Hall Central, Level 1
- Near Check-in Row 6, Departure Check-in Hall Central, Level 2
- At both sides of Departure Immigration Central, Level 2
- Departure Check-in Hall North, Level 2
- Departure Transit Lounge North, Level 2
- Departure Transit Lounge North, Level 2
- Next to gate holdroom B1 – B4 at Departure Transit Lounge North, Level 2
- Inside gate holdroom B1 – B4 at Departure Transit Lounge North, Level 2
- Next to gate holdroom B9 at Transit North Pier, Level 2
- Departure Transit Lounge South, Level 2
- Departure Transit Lounge South, Level 2
- Next to gate holdroom A1 – A8 at Departure Transit Lounge South, Level 2
- Inside gate holdroom A1 – A8 at Departure Transit Lounge South, Level 2
- Inside bus gate A6 – A8 at Departure Transit Lounge South, Level 1
- Next to gate holdroom A21 at Departure Transit Lounge South Pier, Level 2
- Outside gate holdroom A16 – A20 at Departure Transit Lounge South, Level 2
- Inside gate holdroom A16 – A20 at Departure Transit Lounge South, Level 2
2. Heathrow International Airport (Great Britain): The family lounge in Terminal 3 offers a discrete place to nurse your baby or breastpump. There are numerous play areas listed throughout the airport you can take your children to play and lots of changing areas located in family restrooms. Phone: 08844-335-1801
3. Tokyo International (Japan): This airport rocks out several nursing areas for moms and babies! In the first passenger terminal, a total of 15 places near gates 1F and 2F. In the second passenger terminal there is a total of 18 nursing rooms near gates 1F - 4F. In all of the nursing rooms there is hot water equipment to warm milk. There is also a nursing room in the gate lounge. Phone: 81 (0) 3-5757-8111
4. Charles de Gaulle International Airport: Baby care rooms with nursing seats are available throughout the airport. The services appear to cater more to older children with game rooms and entertainment so make sure to call ahead and find out where the Baby Care rooms are located.
Phone: 33 1-48-62-12-12
5. Sydney Kingsford Smith International (Australia): Baby changing and parenting rooms are located throughout the airport. Each room offers a changing station, nursing area and a microwave to heat baby food/milk. Make sure to call ahead for the locations of each of the parenting rooms. Phone: 61 2-9667-9111
6. Indira Gandhi International (India): Offers special rooms for babies and families to nurse. These rooms are labeled "Parents Room." Make sure to call ahead and get specific information on the location of theses rooms but by the looks of their airport maps each terminal has one.
Phone: 91 124-3376000
7. Lester B. Pearson International (Canada): There are a couple of nursing areas in this airport but they are spread about. We did locate one near gate D35. There are plently of play areas for children but make sure to call ahead and find out specifics about nursing. Phone: 1-866-207-1690
8. Dubai International (United Arab Emirates): Traveling to Dubai has become a popular exotic getaway experience, including for parents with babies or young children. In 2024 Dubai airport claimed the hefty title of becoming the second busiest airport in the world. This due to the host city becoming such a massive tourist destination. With this new status, come new improvements and upgrades to the airport infrastructure. Travelers are flocking more and more to this Middle East destination.
Their website used to be a little vague on locations and amenities of nursing rooms for moms who pump before flights. Now Moms Pump Here and other traveling moms through Dubai has detailed info and photos of locations of the Dubai International's baby nurseries and play areas for parents with small children.
Clean Baby Care rooms are located at Departure at Terminal 3 in the Kids Zone play area and across all three terminals. Every nursing room comes with a water basin (hot and cold water included), a changing table, a chair, power outlets, and other useful amenities for baby care.
According to the airport map clean family restrooms are also located in the terminals. There is a family restroom near Gate 10 and close to the departures entrance. Do keep in mind that unlike the United States and several other western countries breastfeeding in public in Dubai is strictly prohibited because of social restrictions and moral laws regarding women's dress and cover up. They're more lax and cater to western tourists more than most other middle east countries, but moms and women in general are expected to show modesty when feeding.
Phone: 971 4-216-2525
Like any airport or airline in the United States or abroad always use extra precaution travleing with your baby. Although we would like to think everyone supports nursing mothers not everyone is understanding and because of that you may experience difficulties. Also, be wary of TSA restrictions travling with breast milk for your baby. You may just come across a TSA agent having a bad day or in a situation where they do not let you take the breast milk through. Do your research and over prepare.
-Photo courtesy of Bumble Bee Mum
