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Cooler for baby food


7 Best Baby Bottle Cooler Bags (2022 Reviews)

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Whether you’re a working mom who’s pumping breastmilk or a mom who’s always on the go, having a cooler that will keep your baby’s milk cold is essential. There are all kinds of coolers and accessories that will help you store your baby’s bottles and milk when you’re not at home. It can be difficult to find the bag that will suit your specific needs.

That’s why I’ve created this list of the 7 best baby bottle cooler bags for you. Read through the items and you’re sure to find the one that is right for you.

The Best Baby Bottle Cooler Bags

  • 1. MBJerry Insulated Baby Bottle Bag

    (Best value — $)

    Why it’s great: This one comes in 6 different choices of adorable and stylish patterns, so you’ll easily be able to find one that you love. It has a silver foil lining for ultra insulation and will keep the contents cold for approximately 3 hours. That time will almost double if you use an ice pack inside as well. This bag fits 4 large 8 oz bottles and has a small pocket on the outside for your keys/wallet/phone. The handle has a clip, so you can attach it to a stroller, shopping cart, or whatever you need to attach it to, which means you won’t always have to be carrying it around yourself.

    Keep in mind: This one doesn’t come with an ice pack, so you’ll have to purchase one separately if you need one.

    Good for: Parents who want a cute cooler to store their baby’s bottles and milk.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 2. Skip Hop Insulated Breastmilk Cooler and Double Baby Bottle Bag

    (Most compact — $$)

    Why it’s great: This is one of the smaller cooler bags around that can still fit two bottles. It includes a freezer pack that will help to keep your milk colder for longer periods of time. It has a double zipper, so you can get to either side easily without having to open the entire bag. It comes in 7 different, gender-neutral patterns or solids that all look great and aren’t too overwhelming. Skip Hop is a well-known brand and makes an assortment of baby items, so you’ll easily be able to find all kinds of matching accessories too. The handle on this bag also has a clip, so you can attach it to your stroller or even attach a pacifier holder or something else to it.

    Keep in mind: This only fits two bottles, so it’s meant for shorter trips or errands.

    Good for: Parents that need a smaller cooler for the occasional trip out.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 3. Teamoy Double Layer Breastmilk Cooler Bag with Ice Pack

    (Best quality — $$$)

    Why it’s great: This cooler is made of high quality materials with a water-resistant nylon and hot pressing lining for maximum insulation. The material is easy to wipe clean and is leakproof too. It also comes with an ice pack that is made to fit in between multiple bottles and helps to keep them organized, as well as cold. It can hold up to 6 large 9 oz bottles, so you’ll be able to stay out longer. There’s also a top compartment that is also insulated, so you can carry your lunch or snacks with you as well. It also has a pocket on the front and back for your own accessories, such as keys/wallet/phone.

    Keep in mind: This one is a little bigger and bulkier, but it comes with a shoulder strap for convenient carrying.

    Good for: Parents that need maximum storage and a high quality cooler.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 4. Yarwo Breast Milk Cooler Bag with Ice Pack

    (Best organization — $$)

    Why it’s great: This bag can fit 6 bottles up to 9 oz. It comes with a shaped ice pack that helps to keep the bottles in place, as well as cold. The nylon fabric is wear-resistant and it has a hot pressing liner that gives optimum insulation while also being easy to wipe down and clean. This bag sports a pocket on the front and back for your essentials, plus two mesh side pockets, for ultra organization. It has 2 regular carry handles, plus a shoulder strap, so it’s easy to tote around wherever you go. Yarwo also makes a pump bag and this cooler fits inside it, so you can easily bring both to work or when traveling without being overburdened with multiple bags to carry.

    Keep in mind: If you want to keep 6 bottles cold for up to 6 hours, you may need to add in an extra icepack on top. Luckily, there’s plenty of room to do that in this bag.

    Good for: Parents that only want to carry around one bag and need the extra organization and pockets for their own essentials.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 5. Momcozy Insulated Breastmilk Cooler and Baby Bottle Bag

    (Most accommodating — $)

    Why it’s great: This cooler is extra tall, so it will fit any size bottle in it, even the large 8.5” bottles. It can hold up to 4 bottles and it has a little outside pocket for your keys/wallet/phone. It is aluminum lined, which keeps items cold for up to 3 hours. You can also add in an ice pack and double that time. It is waterproof, lightweight, and comes in a really cute floral print. The handle has a detachable buckle, which makes it easy to carry or clip onto a stroller or cart.

    Keep in mind: This one doesn’t come with an ice pack, so you’ll need to purchase one separately.

    Good for: Parents who need a bag that will fit the tallest bottles.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

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  • 6. Columbia Badger Ridge Insulated Baby Food and Bottle Tote

    (Most versatile — $$)

    Why it’s great: Columbia is an outdoorsy brand and makes high quality, durable products. This cooler bag is made with high-density thermal insulation and has a Therma-Flect radiant barrier that keeps your items insulated longer than other materials. The inside is big enough to carry bottles, snacks, or anything else you might want to keep cold. When your baby grows, it could easily be used as a regular lunch box or snack/drink bag. It has a zippered front pocket for your essentials, as well as 2 side mesh pockets for extra storage. The handle is padded and it has an adjustable shoulder strap for easy carrying.

    Keep in mind: This one doesn’t come with an ice pack, so you’ll need to purchase that separately to keep your items colder for more than a few hours.

    Good for: Parents that want to be able to use the cooler once their child outgrows bottles.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

  • 7. Lekebaby Breast Milk Cooler Bag with Contoured Ice Pack

    (Most convenient — $$)

    Why it’s great: This cooler can hold up to 6 large bottles. It comes with a shaped ice pack that helps to keep the bottles cold and holds them in place. The best part is that it comes with a removable inner liner bag, so when you get home, you can just take that out and put the whole thing into the fridge if you haven’t used them. It has an aluminum lining for added insulation and has a small outer pocket for your essentials. It has double zippers so you can open from either side and has a nice, wide opening if unzipped all the way. It has a padded handle and also comes with a detachable shoulder strap for added convenience.

    Keep in mind: You need to fill the ice pack with water and freeze it when you get it. It doesn’t come prefilled like most others.

    Good for: Parents that want the most convenient and easy to use cooler bag.

    View on Amazon.com ➜

Best Overall

MBJerry Insulated Baby Bottle Bag

The MBJerry Insulated Baby Bottle Bag is our overall top recommendation. It's the highest quality product we have found with the most affordable price making it the best value on our list..

View on Amazon.com ➜

FAQs about baby bottle coolers

  • 1. Why do I need a cooler bag?

    Babies, and especially newborns, need to eat frequently. Whether your child is breastfed or formula-fed, using a bottle when you’re out and about can be easier with a cooler bag. You can store breastmilk or formula in bottles and keep them cold for easy feeding when you’re on the go. Plus, if you pump at work or when you’re out, you can easily store your milk and keep it at the correct temperature. You can also use these bags to store snacks or food that needs to be kept cold as well. They’re just a convenient way to bring milk/food for your child with you when you can’t be at home.

  • 2. What insulation material is the best?

    The most common materials and the ones the bags from the list use are nylon with hot pressing lining or aluminum lining. Aluminum lining works pretty well but doesn’t last quite as long as the hot pressing lining. Either is fine depending on the amount of time you need to keep your bottles or food cold. Adding ice packs will also increase that time as well.

  • 3. How long will a cooler bag keep milk/food cold?

    This varies based on the bag. The minimum amount of time that most bags will keep your items cold is about 3 hours. Some bags, with ice packs, can keep your items cold for 8-9 hours. Think about how long you usually are out and about and buy the bag that works best for that time period. If you’re only out for short periods of time, the aluminum lined bags will work just fine and are usually cheaper.

  • 4. What size bag is the best?

    This will vary based on the type of bottles that you use and the amount of milk you’ll need while you’re out. If you use the larger, taller bottles, you’ll need to make sure the cooler you get is tall enough to accommodate them. If you want to bring 6 bottles with you, you’ll need a wider bag. Figure out what type of bottles you’re using and how many you think you’d need on an average trip. Then pick a bag that can hold that and you’ll be fine. The size of the bag doesn’t matter any more than that.

  • 5. How do I clean my cooler bag?

    Almost all cooler bags are not machine washable. This means that you’ll have to hand wash them when they get dirty. Most of them are easy to wipe clean as long as you’re doing it regularly. If you need a more thorough clean, you’ll have to soak it in water with dish soap. The only issue with this is that it will take some time to dry. If you keep up with the spot cleaning, you shouldn’t need to soak it very often.

Conclusion

It can be challenging to take your baby on any kind of outing. Knowing that you have your child’s bottles and milk with you wherever you go can alleviate some of the stress. That’s why bottle cooler bags are an essential item for every parent. You’ll easily be able to keep your child fed and happy, even when you’re not home.

Finding the right cooler bag doesn’t have to be a challenge. Consider how many bottles you’ll need on a normal outing and the amount of time that you need to keep them cool. Think about how you want to carry your bag and if you need extra storage.

If you know what you’re looking for ahead of time, picking the cooler bag that is best for your needs is easy.

20 Best Insulated Breast Milk Cooler Bags for Travel • Our Globetrotters

Keeping your pumped milk at the right temperature when you travel

When you’re a breastfeeding mum, traveling with your baby in any capacity can add a few extra layers of complications and stress, not to mention several additional items you have to pack in your luggage and diaper bag. 

Your baby’s feeding schedule and your travel schedule seldom line up perfectly with each other, especially when keeping with a flight schedule or on road trips.   On many occasions, I’ve had to pump before/after a flight or while in the car and save my milk for a later feeding.

In all cases, it’s best to have a sleek insulated cooler for breast milk on hand, as we all know how precious that liquid gold is! The best cooler for your needs depends entirely on the duration of your travel time and your travel surroundings, and that’s why we’ve compiled a list of the Best Insulated Baby Bottle Coolers for almost every situation to help you find the perfect one.

This post is part of our tried & tested baby travel products series

Best Breast Milk Cooler Bags For Travel

We’ve included a summary of our favourite choices here, but read on below for more details about when you might find each best to use – there’s no one size fits all solution when it comes to baby & toddler travel!

ProductBrandMaximum CapacityCooling System
Skip Hop Insulated Breastmilk Cooler2 large bottlesInsulated bag with soft freezer pack
Tiblue Breastmilk Cooler Bag4 large or 6 medium bottlesInsulated bag with soft freezer pack
Lekebaby Breast Milk Cooler Bag6 large bottlesInsulated bag with contoured ice pack
Luxja Breastmilk Cooler Bag4 x 5oz bottlesInsulated bag (ice pack not included)
FlexiFreeze Pocketbook Breastmilk Cooler2 hopital bottles or several ziplock baggiesInsulated wallet with inbuilt cooling cubes
Sarah Wells Cold Cold Breastmilk Cooler Bag4 medium bottlesInsulated bag with ice pack
nanobebe Breastmilk Baby Bottle Cooler & Travel Bag3 nanobébé bottlesInsulated bag with ice pack
MOMIGO Breast Pump Backpack6 bottles plus pumpInsluated backpack with contoured ice pack
CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag50 cansFamily-sized insulated cooler bag, use ice packs or ice cubes
Cooluli Mini Fridge Electric Cooler and Warmer4 litre/6 canElectric refrigerator with car socket/USB
Columbia Badger Ridge Insulated Baby Food and Bottle Tote4 bottlesInsulated bag (ice pack not included)
Medela Breast Milk Cooler and Transport Set4 x 5oz bottlesInsulated bag with contoured ice pack
JuJuBe Be Cool Insulated Bbay Bottle Cooler Bag2 large bottles and snacksInsulated bag (ice pack not included)
IceMule Classic Cooler10 litres/6 cansSoft insulated shouler bag
Yeti Daytrip Packable Lunch Bag6 cansFoldable insulated lunch bag (ice pack not included)
Coleman Soft Cooler Bag9 cansInsualted lunch cooler (ice pack not included)
Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze 60 canFamily-sized wheeled cooler fill with icesubes or ice packs
Venture Pal Leakproof Reusable Insulated Cooler Lunch Bag 12 canInsualted lunch cooler (ice pack not included)
Columbia PFG Skiff Guide Zipperless Hardbody Thermal Cooler Pack58 canInsualted hardbody lunch cooler (ice pack not included)

What to look for in a good breastmilk cooler

Several factors go into choosing a good breastmilk cooler bag, especially one that is versatile enough to fit your specific needs.   It’s important to consider each of these before you select one for purchase.

Insulation

Choosing a breastmilk cooler bag with quality insulation is essential regardless of where you’re going or how long you’ll be travelling. Knowing that your milk will stay at a consistent temperature gives you peace of mind and is also necessary for your baby’s health and safety. 

Capacity

If you’re travelling a long distance or will be gone for several days without access to a freezer, you’ll want to choose a milk cooler bag with a larger capacity.  This will allow you to put a sufficient amount of ice/icepacks inside along with your baby bottles or breast milk storage bags. 

However, a more compact option would be best for flights or car travel, as you will be in a more confined space and won’t be travelling without intermittent access to a hotel fridge or gas station. 

Cleaning and Care

The best cooler for breast milk will be easy to wipe clean, or you should be able to toss it in a washing machine for a cycle to reuse.   You’ll also want to look for a bag with a stain-resistant outer surface as well, as we all know how easily items can get soiled during travel. 

Stylish vs. Practical

As mums, we’re often torn between what looks the most stylish and what is the most reasonable and practical option.  Luckily, most breastmilk cooler bags are a combination of both.  They often come in a variety of colours and patterns to suit your personal style, and many choices offer both tote and strap-carrying options so that you can adapt them to your immediate travel needs. 

Method of Cooling

When it comes to choosing the best cooler bag for breastmilk, you have a few options in terms of cooling.  The most common cooling method is an ice pack of some kind.  Most breast milk cooler bags come with an ice pack that is made to fit that particular one.  You can also simply use freezer bags full of ice and replace them as needed. 

You can include your baby milk bottles in your family cooler too. Just be mindful of how often this will open, and consider whether a consistent temperature can be maintained for your breastmilk in the larger coolers we describe below.

The final option would be a cooler powered by electricity.  In my opinion, this is the trickiest and least available way to go.  If you are embarking on a long road trip where the mini-fridge can be plugged in, it might come in handy.  However, you always run the risk of the cooler or (heaven forbid) your vehicle breaking down and finding yourself stranded in more ways than one.

TSA Rules Regarding Transporting Breastmilk

If you plan on traveling with your baby by air, we strongly recommend that you review TSA’s rules regarding breast milk, formula, and other baby items.  As it currently stands, you can transport “reasonable” amounts of breast milk in your carry-on bag. 

We also recommend you check with the TSA agent at your gate for additional guidelines. 

We have a detailed guide to breastfeeding and travelling with breastmilk that may cover many more of your pumping and breastmilk transportation questions.  

Short Trips vs. Long Flights

The type of breast milk cooler you choose strongly depends on whether you’re planning a short flight (either directly or with a single layover) or longer flights with multiple layovers (or to another country). 

A shorter flight may not require the same level of insulation, as you’ll be able to replenish your supply of ice or find a fridge in your hotel within 5-6 hours.  However, if you and your baby will be enduring an 8-hour flight plus additional driving time, it would be wise to find a cooler that offers significantly more insulation.

Best Cooler Bag For Beastmilk Travel

Let’s dig into all the details now on the leading brands of breast milk cooler bags for travel; noting that there’s no one-size-fits-all, and you may need different bags in different travel scenarios.

Best Overall Breastmilk Cooler: Skip Hop Insulated Breastmilk Cooler

Why We Love It: This is an all-around crowd-pleaser that is versatile enough to be used in many different travel situations.   It’s compact enough to fit inside a diaper bag or backpack for air travel and fits nicely into a free spot for shorter car trips. Previous customers have stated that it keeps several bags of breastmilk cold for around 8 hours.

Possible Cons: This milk cooler bag is best suited for shorter trips, as it can only carry two full-size bottles or 2-3 milk storage bags.

Specifications of the Skip Hop Insulated Breastmilk Cooler:

  • Dimensions: 6.75 x 3.5 x 9 inches
  • Weight: 4 ounces
  • Freezer pack included
  • Holds two bottles or sippy cups
  • Two-way zippers for customized access
  • Phthalate-free
  • Keeps liquids cool for up to 8 hours

Most Affordable: Tiblue Breastmilk Cooler Bag

Why We Love It: This budget-friendly breast milk cooler doesn’t skimp on style or functionality.  It’s large enough to hold six smaller bottles or four larger bottles up to 9 oz.   The outer surface is made from water-resistant fabric, and the interior can easily be wiped clean.  It’s a versatile option for air and car travel as well as a day trip to the beach.

Possible Cons: Cannot be easily stored in a diaper bag, which is a downside.  The bag also only comes with a handle, making it more cumbersome when you have to carry multiple things at once.

Specifications of the Tiblue Breastmilk Cooler Bag:

  • Dimensions: 10.04 x 9.33 x 3.35 inches
  • Weight: 8.4 ounces
  • Water-resistant 300D composite oxford fabric
  • 8mm extra-thick EPE foam aluminum foil liner
  • Waterproof interior
  • Pocket for smaller personal items
  • Fits most standard bottles
Other value options to consider
  • Lekebaby Breast Milk Cooler Bag
  • Luxja Breastmilk Cooler Bag

Most Compact: FlexiFreeze Pocketbook Breastmilk Cooler

Why We Love It: If you’re only travelling for a few hours before having access to a fridge or additional ice and want a discrete option for storing several bags of breast milk, this is the breast milk cooler bag for you. It’s the size of a wallet and can easily fit into your diaper bag or purse.  It has built-in ice cube packs, so you just have to take it out of your freezer and ready to go.

Possible Cons: Works best to keep frozen breastmilk cool, so less suitable for storing room-temperature milk for long periods.

Specifications for the FlexiFreeze Pocketbook Breastmilk Cooler:

  • Dimensions: 4.5 x 2.3 x 8 inches
  • Weight: 12 ounces
  • Capacity for several breast milk bags
  • Contains built-in freezable ice cubes

Other compact options to consider:

  • Sarah Wells Cold Gold Breastmilk Cooler Bag
  • NANOBEBE Breastmilk Baby Bottle Cooler & Travel Bag

Best for Long Car Journeys: MOMIGO Pump Backpack

Why We Love It: This is an excellent option for longer road trips, as it offers storage for your breast pump and both feeding and storage bottles.   The insulated bottom layer can hold up to six storage bottles plus an ice pack and boasts a 15-hour cooling time. 

Possible Cons: Several mums have said that while they love the bag, it takes some organisation and time to fit everything into the larger compartment.

Specifications for the MOMIGO Pump Backpack:

  • Dimensions: 15.25 x 13 x 13.75 inches
  • Weight: 1.6 lbs
  • Durable, moistureproof fabric
  • Padded shoulder straps
  • Earphone and External USB charging port
  • Anti-theft pocket
Other options to consider for long car journeys:
  • CleverMade Collapsible Cooler Bag
  • Cooluli Mini Fridge Electric Cooler and Warmer

Best for Long Flights: Columbia Badger Ridge Insulated Baby Food and Bottle Tote

Why We Love It: If your next vacation includes several layovers or more than a few hours in the air, this breastmilk cooler bag has you covered.   It’s large enough to hold several bottles and milk storage bags yet specifically designed to take up as little extra room as possible. The padded shoulder strap can also attach to your stroller, allowing you to transport it through the terminal securely.

Possible Cons: The bag’s interior is not waterproof, so any leaks could cause quite a mess mid-flight.

Specifications for the Columbia Badger Ridge Insulated Baby Food & Bottle Tote:

  • Dimensions: 11.5 x 4.75 x 9.25 inches
  • Weight: 7.2 ounces
  • Therma-Flect radiant barrier
  • High-density thermal insulation
  • Easy-to-clean lining
  • Elasticized interior straps
  • Two exterior mesh pockets
  • Padded handle and shoulder strap

Other options to consider for long flights:

  • Medela Breast Milk Cooler and Transport Set
  • JuJuBe Be Cool Insulated Baby Bottle Cooler Bag

Best Insulated Baby Bottle Coolers for Outdoor Excursions

Best for Hiking and Camping: IceMule Classic Cooler

Why We Love It: If you’re headed to the great outdoors for any length of time, this is the best cooler bag for breastmilk.   It comes in various sizes, which is helpful for transporting various supplies that need refrigeration.  This cooler’s most attractive feature is its insulation-it keeps contents cold for over 24 hours and maintains ice-like temperatures for up to 2 days. 

Possible Cons: Temperature maintenance does decrease in extremely hot weather conditions or if placed in direct sunlight.

Specifications for the IceMule Classic Cooler:

  • Dimensions: 5.91 x 6.3 x 15.75 inches
  • Weight: 1.7 lbs
  • Available in several colors
  • Collapsible and lightweight
  • Roll-top design for easy access
  • 24 + hours of cooling
  • Extra durable Muleskin exterior
  • PolarLayer insulation
  • Leakproof/Buoyant/Waterproof

Other options to consider for hiking & camping:

  • YETI Daytrip Packable Lunch Bag
  • Coleman Soft Cooler Bag

Best for the Beach: Arctic Zone Titan Deep Freeze

Why We Love It: If you and your family are headed out for a day of sunshine at the beach, this breast milk cooler is an ideal option.   The rugged wheels allow for easy transportation, and the cooler is large enough to store snacks, drinks, and bags or bottles of breastmilk.  Interior spills can be easily wiped clean, and the Rhino-Tech exterior is both durable and water/stain-resistant.

Possible Cons: Previous customers’ main complaint was that the bag did not stay on the cart very well.  This was easily fixed with a few strips of Velcro or similar adhesives.

Specifications for the Artic Zone Titan Deep Freeze:

  • Dimensions: 13.25 x 12 x 14.75 inches
  • Weight: 6.77 lbs
  • Deep Freeze high-performance insulation
  • Radiant heat barrier reflects heat
  • Triple-layer ColdBlock base with three thick layers of SuperFoam
  • Leak-proof lining with Microban
  • Puncture-resistant, durable Rhino-Tech exterior

Other options to consider for a day at the beach:

  • Venture Pal Leakproof Reusable Insulated Cooler Lunch Bag
  • Columbia PFG Skiff Guide Zipperless Hardbody Thermal Cooler Pack

And don’t forget your ice packs!

Not all of the insulated breastmilk coolers we’ve described here actually come with their own ice pack. Some coolers have their own branded ice pack you can buy separately, like Yeti & Coleman. Otherwise, generic ice packs are fine. We prefer soft contour ice packs for a better fit.

We hope this breastmilk cooler guide has helped you narrow down the choices and sees you one step closer to confidently travelling the world with your kids – whether it’s a day hike with your bubs or flying around the world!

More Helpful Travel Gear for Baby & Toddler Travel

Before you set out on your next family vacation, you may also want to learn more about:

  • Ultimate Baby Travel Checklist – a super detailed guide to everything you could possibly need on a trip with a baby + a downloadable baby travel packing list to keep you organised.
  • Best nursing covers for travel – feed and pump discreetly when you travel with a cover to suit every occasion and style.
  • Best baby bottle warmers – instantly reheat your baby’s milk on the go with these portable breastmilk coolers.
  • Portable Breast Pumps worth the investment – if you think you’ll be on the move with or without your little one a lot, whether it’s for business trips or family vacations, you’ll want one of these comfortable and discreet pumping systems.
  • Travel tips for bottle-feeding moms – what happens when you transition to formula feeds?
  • Travelling High Chairs & Boosters – are they really worth it? Our frank views on investing in a portable booster and when it may come in handy when you’re baby is ready to wean.

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