Philips AVENT has worked with its feeding and wellbeing advisor Vicki Scott to provide some top tips on breastfeeding in public. Vicki Scott has been working with mothers and babies for over 20 years and is a qualified midwife, maternity nurse and breastfeeding advisor. She is also mum to two year old Poppy

There's a selection of products you might find useful for getting out and about with your little one this summer.

Breastfeeding on the go

"Breastfeeding when you're out is convenient, hygienic and the most natural and healthy way for your baby to feed – so be proud of what you're doing! It allows you to easily and discreetly feed your baby when you're outside the home, anytime, anywhere. I believe that the more often mums' are seen breastfeeding outside the home, the more part of everyday life it will become and mums won't need to feel uncertain or uncomfortable as they sometimes do at the moment.

Here are some tips to get you started

• It may help you to feel more confident about feeding in public if you master your technique at home first. Practice using a shawl or scarf as a cover up if you like
• Always try to sit down to feed and if possible in a comfortable chair, where your back will be more supported
• If you feel self conscious, choose your seating position or table carefully e.g. with your back to the majority of people in a restaurant or café
• Have a drink of water to hand, as it's thirsty work, and don't sit too near a heat source as breastfeeding increases your body temperature
• Choose a selection of good nursing tops which can be easily unbuttoned; avoid shirts or tops which may expose more than you would like!
• A scarf, pashmina, shawl or muslin square placed over any exposed skin once your baby is latched-on can make you feel more comfortable

"Many mums find that quite often people are not even aware they're breastfeeding and think you and baby are just having a cuddle!

"It's increasingly easy now to find somewhere a little more private to feed your baby while you're out if that's what you prefer. Many shopping centres, department stores, baby shops and supermarkets have special feeding rooms where you can breastfeed and change your baby's nappy."

Useful products for when you're out and about...

1. Express Yourself

Expressing your milk with a breast pump is convenient, quick and really easy, once you know how, and it can provide support to breastfeeding mums, giving you greater flexibility. Philips AVENT offers two types of pumps: the ISIS Manual Breast pump and the ISIS iQ UNO handheld electronic version. They feature a unique patented petal massage cushion and a silicone diaphragm, which work together to imitate the way your baby breastfeeds, making them extremely comfortable, quick and efficient to use. From £25

Both pumps allow you to express directly into a Philips AVENT Airflex Feeding Bottle (from £4.25) or pre-sterilised VIA Cup (from £1.99) for storage in the fridge or freezer. Both can be used on the go as the electronic model comes with manual parts and a battery pack for when power is unavailable, Philips AVENT also offers a Manual Out and About Breast Pump Set (£40.00) that contains everything you need to express and then store your breast milk in a hygienic microfibre bag.

2. Storage Solutions

AVENT VIA Cups are pre-sterilised, sturdy, stackable and easy to label for storage in the fridge or freezer. These simple and versatile cups are the first reusable and disposable feeding system that can be used to store, transport and feed expressed breast milk and baby food. Truly multi-purpose, they fit the Philips AVENT breast pump and can also be used for storing milk and serving first foods from six months. These cups are great for storing homemade nutritious baby food, last for many uses but are designed to be disposed of when they show signs of wear or at your convenience. From £1.99 for five Cups

When expressing on the go, it's important that your expressed milk is cooled quickly and kept cool for later use, ideally at 2-4ºC. The handy AVENT ThermaBag is really lightweight and discreet to carry home with you; no one need know the actual contents! It's designed to keep milk cold or water hot for up to four hours. This stylish bag will hold two AVENT bottles, two Magic Cups or four VIA Cups and its double insulation layers incorporate 3M Thinsulate™ to keep contents either hot or cold, depending on requirements. This product is great for picnics and daytrips, and is available in Red, Navy Blue, Baby Blue or Black. £9.99

3. Keep it Clean

Sterile equipment is of paramount importance when caring for babies in their first year, but has proved something of a challenge for on-the-go parents until now. Try the best selling Philips AVENT Microwave Steam Steriliser, compact and highly effective, sterilising in as little as two minutes. Ideal for travel, this steriliser gives the same benefits of steam sterilisation using the power of a microwave; it holds up to six bottles or two breast pumps with accessories and also doubles up as a handy storage container for feeding equipment whilst away from home. £25.00

4. Bags of Style

When out and about a good baby bag designed especially around the needs of parents and babies is a must. Philips AVENT offers a wide selection of stylish bags providing carefully thought-out solutions for all of your travel needs. From: £20.00

All Philips AVENT products have been carefully designed to work together, are completely interchangeable and are built to last so nothing you buy is ever wasted.

Well designed, travel-friendly products from Philips AVENT. Now families can have more fun away from home.