Mamava's 2022 Best Airports for Breastfeeding Parents
Airports are usually ranked on customer service, on-time arrival rates, and overall amenities. But when you’re a breastfeeding traveler, what you really need is a private place where you can put down your bags and pump or nurse.
Air travel has improved for breastfeeding people in recent years thanks to federal legislation like the Friendly Airports for Mothers Act and the Friendly Airports for Mothers Improvement Act which require all airports to have a lactation space in every terminal! But these airports really go the extra mile to provide clean and private spaces to pump or nurse on the go.
Pro travel tip: Some airports are better than others when it comes to providing detailed wayfinding on their websites (and on the ground). Use the Mamava app for details about finding (and accessing!) lactation spaces in all these airports—plus thousands of other pump-and-nursing-friendly places—wherever you go!
1) Orlando International Airport (MCO)
With Disney as a top destination MCO has always been a family-friendly airport. But their recent addition of a new terminal and train station puts them at the top of the list when it comes to supporting traveling breastfeeding parents. MCO now has 18 lactation spaces with 14 Nursing Rooms (including the train station) and four Mamava pods. From a fun garden to a wellness garden, MCO also offers interactive spaces and art exhibits for the whole family.
2) San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
There’s gold in them thar hills—liquid gold! The city made famous for the gold rush is also one of the best in the nation when it comes to supporting breastfeeding parents! SFO has 17 lactation spaces —11 Nurseries (most require using airport courtesy phones to request access) and six Mamava pods. Family-friendly activities include a variety of interactive “Kids’ Spots” in both Terminal 2 and 3, as well as rotating art exhibits from the SFO Museum.
3) Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Breastfeeding parents traveling to and from the Windy City now have access to a total of 16 lactation spaces! ORD provides six Mother’s Rooms and 10 Mamava pods. All the lactation spaces are open 24/7. If you’re flying with little ones, you’ll find a play area in the Family Lounge in Terminal 2. Be sure to check out ORD’s rotating art exhibits if you need to stretch your legs or have a long layover.
4) Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
ATL has 15 lactation spaces throughout their six concourses and Consolidated Rental Car Facility (CONRAC), including 12 Mamava pods, one Mother’s Room, and two Minute Suites (the first 30 minutes are free).
5) John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
JFK knows how to support traveling breastfeeding parents with 12 lactation spaces (11 Mamava pods and one Nursing Room) across six terminals. If you’re traveling with little ones, the Jet Blue Terminal (Terminal 5) offers an outdoor area called “T5 Rooftop” (across from gate 28) with a play area.
6) Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
PHX has 12 lactation spaces—six Mother’s Rooms and six Mamava pods. If you’re traveling with kiddos, PHX offers downloadable coloring pages and puzzles to help keep little hands busy. If you’re leaving your car, be sure to take advantage of the family-friendly parking spaces in the East Economy Parking area and garage.
7) Logan International Airport (BOS)
BOS does a great job of supporting traveling breastfeeding parents with 11 lactation spaces across four terminals: there are four Nursing Rooms in Terminal A, one in Terminal B, one in Terminal C, plus four Mamava pods (one in Terminal E, one in Terminal C near the C/E connector, and two in Terminal B). If you’re traveling with kiddos, you’ll find an interactive Kidport play area in Terminals A, B, and C.
8) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Parents flying through LAX will find 11 Nursing Rooms—one in each terminal. Got little ones in tow? Grab a bite to eat at The Proud Bird and watch the planes take off or hit up LAX Beach, a mini beach-themed playground, located post-security in the Tom Bradley International Terminal.
9) Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Traveling parents will now find 11 lactation spaces—including nine Mamava pods— throughout the airport. While Newark has not always been known as the most hospitable place for travelers, they’re adding more restaurants and amenities to improve travelers’ experiences.
10) Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
DTW has nine lactation spaces (DTW calls them Nursing Rooms) for travelers across the airport: three are located in Evans Terminal and five are in the McNamara Terminal. (There is also a lactation space in the Berry Administration Building but it’s for DTW employees.) All the rooms have a comfortable chair, a sink, counter, and electrical outlets. Plan ahead, because you’ll need to call the number on the door to gain a one-time access code (the phone is staffed 24/7).
11) LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
Traveling breastfeeding parents will be relieved to know that LGA has nine lactation spaces (seven Nursing Rooms and two Mamava pods) throughout their four redesigned terminals. If you’re traveling with little ones, check out the small play area in Terminal B.
12) Miami International Airport (MIA)
MIA knows just what traveling breastfeeding parents need: lots of places to pump. There are nine lactation spaces—eight Mamava pods and one lactation room—throughout their three terminals. Solo travelers can indulge in self-care in their Jetsetter Spa (on the 2nd level of South Terminal H). If you’re traveling with children, check out Plane Fun, an interactive collaboration with the Miami Children’s Museum, located in Concourse E near Gate E5.
13) George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Houston’s IAH does a great job of anticipating travelers’ needs by providing eight lactation spaces in four out of their five terminals. Parents will find five Mother’s Rooms and three Mamava pods. To help soothe hectic travel, check out IAH’s Harmony in the Air series for musical airport performances.
14) Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
SEA provides eight lactation spaces throughout their four concourses—four Mamava pods and four Mother’s Rooms. If you’re traveling with kids, you’ll find a children’s playroom between Central Terminal and A gates, right across from Seattle Tap Room. Sea-Tac also offers other great amenities including their free STQRY app that provides background information about all the art in the airport and live music performances.
15) Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
If you’re flying through IAD, you’ll find eight Nursing Rooms throughout the five concourses (four of them are post-security). But do plan ahead, because access requires calling Airport Services or stopping by an information desk. For those with toddlers in tow, The FunWay (in Concourse B, near gate B70) is an interactive play area with airplane-themed activities.
16) Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
FLL FTW! This airport has a great lactation space to terminal ratio: six Mamava pods across four terminals. A bonus of this travel hub: the opportunity to view public art throughout FLL.
*About our best airports: We know It’s not always possible to choose your airport. We started with the busiest large airports to increase the odds of helping the most parents. From there, airports needed to have at least six lactation spaces to make our list.
**Updated October 20, 2022. We do our best to keep this list accurate and up to date, but airports are frequently under construction. We recommend checking the airport’s website for information regarding any changes to their lactation space amenities.
Download the Mamava app to find all of the airport lactation spaces mentioned in this piece, plus thousands more places to nurse or pump wherever you go.
Mamava designs solutions to empower breastfeeding and pumping parents on the go, like our freestanding lactation pods, Mamava’s lactation space locator app, and other helpful resources.
More parent resources
