Breastfeeding is one of the many challenges that moms face, especially first-time mothers.
Maiqui Pineda-Domingo knows this firsthand.
For those who may not know, Maiqui and her husband, TV host Robi Domingo, welcomed their first child Emmanuel on June 1, 2026.
In an Instagram post on August 27, 2026, Maiqui opened up about her breastfeeding journey, sharing the lessons she learned while traveling without her baby in the hopes of helping fellow moms navigate a similar experience.
In the caption, she reflected on the experience, writing: “Pumping while traveling without my baby was definitely an adventure.
"From pumping anywhere and everywhere to figuring out how to clean, store and keep milk chilled, it took a lot of planning, flexibility and discipline.
“Sharing the lessons I learned along the way in case they help another breastfeeding mom who plans to travel and pump.
“This Breastfeeding Month, I want to celebrate and acknowledge all the moms who keep showing up, figuring things out, and doing what works for them and their babies.
"It may not always be easy but every little effort is an act of love."
In the carousel post, Maiqui shared practical tips for fellow breastfeeding moms based on her recent travel experience.
A milk leak while pumping during her trip to the United States taught Maiqui an important lesson about being prepared.
Tip #1: Bring All Your Breastfeeding/Pumping Must-Haves
As a result, her first piece of advice for fellow moms was: "Lesson #1: ALWAYS pack an extra set of clothes
"Things to bring: Extra clothes, Ziplock for the wet clothes, [and] Nursing cover."
Maiqui also shared a photo of her pumping essentials, which included a wearable breast pump, ziplock bags, wet and dry wipes, and cleansing spray.
She added that she followed a pumping schedule recommended by her lactation consultant to help maintain her milk supply throughout the trip.
Tip #2: BE READY TO PUMP ANYWHERE
Another lesson Maiqui learned was the importance of being prepared to pump anywhere.
She credited her wearable breast pump for helping her stay on schedule, even while on a layover in Hong Kong and attending the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.
She wrote: "Lesson #2: Be ready to pump ANYWHERE
"Even at the airport food court during a layover My nursing cover became one of my most-used travel essentials."
Maiqui added: "And when I say anywhere... I mean ANYWHERE. Wearable pumps are super useful to have for times like these!"
She continued: "There was no "perfect" place to do this either. I had to transfer my milk from the pump into a storage bag while at the event."
TIP #3: KEEP YOUR PUMPING EQUIPMENT CLEAN
Maiqui also emphasized the importance of keeping pumping equipment clean while on the go.
She shared: “Lesson #3: Pumping also meant cleaning...everywhere.
"On-the-go essentials: Dry + wet wipes Disinfectant spray Ziplock bags (in case they're wet)."
Once back at her hotel or accommodation, she made sure to thoroughly clean her equipment.
She explained: “Proper cleaning back at the hotel/house
"Once I was back where I was staying, I washed the pumps with baby bottle soap and water, then air-dried it using this on-the-go drying rack set."
TIP #4: PROPER MILK STORAGE
Proper milk storage was another major concern during her travels.
For moms who need to keep expressed milk fresh for extended periods, Maiqui stressed the importance of having a breast milk chiller.
She wrote: "Lesson #4: Breastmilk chiller is a MUST!
"When you're going to be out for hours, having somewhere to keep your milk chilled makes things so much easier."
Since one chiller was not enough for her 16-hour flight, Maiqui brought multiple storage solutions.
She added, "But one chiller wasn't enough for my 16hr flight. So I brought these:
"Momcozy Portable Breastmilk Cooler (22oz)
"Ceres OG Chill Breastmilk Chiller (12oz-34oz)
"Demigoddess mini Chiller (6oz-12oz)"
She also encouraged moms not to hesitate to ask for ice from cafes or flight attendants, as chillers need ice to keep milk cold.
Maiqui likewise shared that she tried the so-called "fridge hack" for her breast pumps.
She shared: "I tried the pump 'fridge hack...' I still wiped and disinfected the pumps after every session, whenever I could.
"But to keep it extra safe, I placed my used pumps in an insulated bag with ice so they stayed cool between pumps."
Difficult but worth it
Maiqui admitted that one of the most difficult parts of the trip was having to discard some of her breast milk.
Because she was abroad, she knew some of the milk would not make it home, and she was also unable to donate it due to strict breast milk donation protocols in the U.S.
After five days away, however, she successfully brought home milk to add to her growing stash.
Reflecting on the journey, she shared: “And finally...home [emoji]
"After the long journey home, I transferred my milk to the storage bags and added it to our stash.
"To even be away for 5 days, I started preparing months in advance - and thankfully, I was able to do it!"
Maiqui ended her post with an encouraging message for fellow moms navigating their own breastfeeding journeys: "Breastfeeding is a lot. The planning. The pumping. The late nights.
"The leaks. The cleaning. The times you pump when you'd rather be doing anything else.
"But somehow, we keep going. Because every drop is something we're doing for our babies. So....would I do all this again? Absolutely.
"To all the breastfeeding moms out there: YOU'RE DOING GREAT!"
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