There are plenty of good reasons to breast feed, not the least of which is convenience. And, speaking of convenience, if you do breast feed, you know there are always times when it's nice to have some pumped milk on hand. I have sampled many a pump from hospital-grade electric to cheap, plastic hand pumps with a life span of about 10 minutes.

As a nursing mother, I always pack a breast pump when I'm traveling with or without baby in tow.

Manual Breast Pumps

The manual pump I found most reliable, and easy to transport and store when traveling, is the Avent Isis On-The-Go Breast Pump. It is a lightweight, portable hand pump that works with the speed and efficiency of an electric one (well, almost).

The best thing is that the Avent is the first pump I've used that causes little to no discomfort, to both the breast and forearm muscles, during use. The back-to-work set can tuck everything needed to pump and store milk in a compact travel bag which can easily fit in a large purse or carry-on. The pump itself is so compact and quiet, you could slip it under your shirt and pump a sippy cup full of fresh milk for your hungry child before the cabin crew finishes the drink service.

And, for those who are uncomfortable baring their bountiful breasts in public, the Avent Isis is discreet enough to be used without the man across the aisle even noticing. A specific "on the go bag" and kit are also available.

Depending on where you shop and how deluxe you want to go, the price can range widely, mostly in the $35-$70 range. Visit www.aventamerica.com or call 800/54-AVENT to find the retail store nearest you -- the  whole line of products is excellent and definitely worth a try.

Electronic Breast Pumps

Among mechanical breast pumps,Medela has been my choice for efficiency and quality. Technically speaking, the advanced Medela uses "2-Phase Expression" to increase the milk flow by imitating a baby’s nursing rhythm.  Now, with many new "stylish" models, I won't have to worry about accessorizing my milker.

The Medela Pump in Style Advanced models (www.medela.com; 800/435-8316; $319.95) unlike the original, have a removable motor, cooling bag in matching fabric, car lighter power converter and a battery pack, so you can leave things in the hotel room and use the bag for diapers or business papers.

The Pump In Style line has more 'working-woman' style and is available in a shoulder bag; a must-pack on business trips. The new Metro model in a sleek balck and yellow messenger bag is a great addition to the line, though some moms might want to go for the Limited Line, which offers it in baby blue or chocolate. The line's Traveler model is a backpack, and definitely my personal favorite! There is plenty of storage and enough easy-to-access pockets to slip in a passport or a bus transfer.

The Medela bags are also nice enough to keep using long after you've stopped nursing.

So, what it comes down to when traveling with your infant, is what you want to carry where: baby in front, diaper bag on your back, pump over your shoulder or vice-versa.

Daphne Gil Dagostino, mother to Devin (3) and Daelyn (6 months), works at Barnes and Noble, is a graduate student, a writer, and a frequent traveler from her home base in Toledo, Ohio.

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