Welcome to August, otherwise known as National Breastfeeding Month. Nope, I’m not just bored because it’s the hottest month of the year and snow is nowhere in the forecast. It’s time to talk about pumping and breastfeeding because this topic matters to everyone who cares about snowsports. Yes, even you, the 20-something snowboarder with nary a thought of having kids. Feeding the next generation of shredders and making the moms doing that work feel welcome and appreciated has everything to do with winter sports.
Years ago, in a previous life as a mommy blogger and CEO of an influencer agency, breastfeeding was a big part of my work. Helping brands and influencers connect to tell stories of success and failure was pretty quotidian for me. But when I began writing about mountain life, I somehow lost the thread.
Now, older and wiser, I’ve put breastfeeding back on my radar. Whenever I see a mom nursing in a crowded lodge or squeezed into a soggy bathroom I want to raise a fist and yell, “Solidarity!” But I don’t, because that’s a little creepy.
Instead, I can rally our community to make this common new-parent experience a whole lot less stressful, uncomfortable and isolating.
Breast milk remains the world’s best superfood. Think about how awesome it is: perfectly portable, always the right temperature and packed with nutrition designed for a growing tiny human. It also delivers antibodies that help support a baby’s developing immune system. And why is that important? That immune system is going to get tested in crowded base lodges and by the mysterious substances found on ski-area floors.
If you’ve read this far, you likely already know the drill. Breastfed babies have lower risks of ear infections, stomach bugs and severe respiratory illnesses, among other health benefits. No, breastfeeding cannot guarantee that your child will grow up to love powder days, carry their own skis or refrain from licking the chairlift safety bar. But it can give them a healthy start while helping build the bones, muscles and busy little brains they’ll eventually use to pizza, French fry and demand snacks all the way down the mountain.
Consider it early training for the next generation of shredders.
First, let’s get this out of the way: How a family feeds a baby is a personal decision. Breastfeeding was part of my journey, but it doesn’t work for everyone. No shame. No guilt.
That said, many moms choose this path. In the United States, 86 percent of babies born in 2023 were breastfed at some point. Why make a case for something that can be complicated (or really simple) and time-consuming? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside solid foods for two years or beyond, as mutually desired by parent and child.
That last part matters. Breastfeeding is not an obligation or a parenting purity test. Formula is a safe, nutritious option. But families who want to breastfeed deserve the practical support required to do it.
All the moguls facing parents returning to work—or returning to ski—are often why they stop sooner than planned. Sixty percent of mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they intended. The CDC cites unsupportive workplace policies, limited parental leave, cultural norms and a lack of family support among the reasons parents stop breastfeeding. In other words, this is not simply a matter of personal choice or willpower. Our surroundings help determine what is possible.
Here’s the thing: We want to keep playing and exploring after we become moms. In part, because it is a big part of who we are. It’s also because nature is a gift we want to give our precious littles. Keeping us indoors and undercover is not an option.
We saw this question in our Facebook group:
“You’d think as a Sugarbush local, I’d have the answer... But I haven’t spent a lot of time poking around in all the buildings. Does anyone know of a nursing room or at least somewhere with more comfortable chairs to hang out with our newborn while the rest of the family is skiing? The chairs in the lodge are killer on my butt, lol. I care more about comfort than privacy.”
Moms want to be with their families and included in the fun. It’s good for everyone’s physical and mental health. And if we want to grow this sport, everyone should be paying attention to the littlest visitors to our mountains.
When I think about National Breastfeeding Month, I think about our larger community, not just those of us who ski and ride, but also those who make it all possible. Resort employees may be instructors, patrollers, lift operators, food-service workers or seasonal staff, many without easy access to an office.
This is where dads and partners come in, too. They can be just as vocal about carving out these spaces at work and at play, helping women feel included during the breastfeeding stage of their Ski Mom journey. It means more than carrying the pump and stashing the bottles. It means showing up and helping expand where and how new moms are included.
Under federal law, most nursing employees are entitled to reasonable pumping breaks and a private, functional space that is not a bathroom for the first year after birth. That means employee lactation accommodations are more than a nice perk. They are a workplace necessity and, for many employees, a legal right. Still, you probably won’t see them highlighted in the glossy new-mom brochure.
In addition to mountains and ski areas, we want to invite outdoor brands into the conversation. We’d love to see them offer comfortable pumping and breastfeeding facilities to staff and partner with mountains and organizations to support and promote family-friendly policies.
Here’s a simple outline of what every business and ski area should provide. A breastfeeding or pumping space should be:
Near the base area, not hidden in a distant building.
Open during all operating hours.
Clearly marked, easy to find and warmly welcoming.
Available without requiring someone to buy something or download an app.
Private, lockable and never located in a bathroom.
Equipped with comfortable seating, an electrical outlet, a small table or shelf, hooks and a trash can.
Large enough for a stroller, gear and, ideally, another child or support person.
Located near handwashing facilities and safe milk-storage options.
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In March 2025, I had Mamava cofounder Sascha Mayer on the Ski Moms Podcast to talk about her solutions. The Mamava pod is a private booth that has an outlet and room to spread out. I’ve seen them at a number of airports, but sadly, just one ski area.
Stowe installed a Mamava lactation pod in the Spruce Peak base area. I went, took photos and celebrated the investment. This, my friends, should be an industry standard.
It’s not just about where to feed; it’s also about the gear.
Anyone who lives in a cold climate and has breastfed knows the struggle. It’s time to feed, and you have approximately 3,000 layers on. There are zippers, buttons, crewnecks, half-zips, ski bibs and jackets. I can feel myself breaking into a sweat just thinking back to the sight of a hungry baby and the many obstacles between her and her food supply.
Kailey and Karissa have an apparel brand called Iksplor and they clearly understand the assignment. The sisters (with five babies between them) added a breastfeeding base layer to their lineup of merino wool basics.
The designs don’t have tricky clips or snaps. We all know how hard those are when you’re trying to hold a baby and gain access to the boob. The lineup includes the Merino Wool Nursing Long Sleeve Top, featuring thumbholes and discreet access, and the Merino Wool Nursing T-Shirt, with UPF 50 sun protection. Both have clip-free, cross-panel nursing designs.
No one with mammary glands was surprised when the first iteration sold out. When we see a brand doing something so simple and right, it can feel revolutionary even though it should simply be how business is done.
Finally, I wish I didn’t have to address this part of the breastfeeding and pumping conversation, but I do.
If you aren’t part of the immediate family, the best policy is to “mind your own boobs.” Feeding a baby is not a sideshow, and it doesn’t need your commentary. There is never a time when it’s OK to tell a stranger—or a friend, for that matter—that her child is too old to be breastfed or that the place where she is feeding or pumping is too public.
She really doesn’t want to hear, “Wouldn’t a bottle be easier?” Or, even worse, “Ew.” Be a good ally and a good friend and MYOB or better yet, snowplow the road towards better offerings.
With all this in mind, this August I’ve prepared the Official Ski Moms Baby Feeding Manifesto
Every ski area and resort should provide a safe, quiet, clean and conveniently located space for breastfeeding or pumping—without suggesting that parents must use it. Breastfeeding should be welcome everywhere babies are welcome.
Every outdoor company should provide appropriate lactation accommodations for employees who return to work while pumping.
Outdoor apparel brands should incorporate breastfeeding-friendly tops into their technical apparel lines.
Skiers and riders should never shame a mom for doing something completely natural: feeding her baby.
Our outdoor community should support every family’s feeding decisions without turning breastfeeding advocacy into judgment of parents who use formula.
Here’s a tool to pass along. The Lactation-Friendly Mountain Toolkit PDF has four pages with a two-page printable checklist and customizable email.
What am I missing? How can we work together to spread the word? Please share your stories and ideas and make sure to forward this message to your mountains and favorite brands.
What Ski Resorts Can Learn from a Small Airport
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May 5, 2025
I wrapped up my ski season a few weeks ago and have been making some long-overdue trips to visit family in the South. On my way in and out of my local airport—Burlington International (BTV)—I noticed how incredibly family-friendly it is. And you know what? There were tons of young families traveling, making full use of the thoughtful amenities BTV offer…
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