Some people find breastfeeding easy, while other new moms find it hard to accomplish. From helping your baby latch on to making sure you have a steady supply of milk, there is a lot to think about. You may have read that you should “pump and dump,” or get rid of some of your breast milk instead of feeding it to your baby. Here’s what you need to know about the “pump and dump” strategy and whether it’s something you need to do.
What Does Pump and Dump Mean?
“Pump and dump” means exactly what it sounds like. Instead of letting your baby drink the breast milk you make during a certain time, you use a breast pump to squeeze milk from your breast and collect it. You then dispose of that milk, often by “dumping” it out in a sink. There are plenty of reasons why you might choose to pump and dump.
Why People Pump and Dump
There are two common reasons why mothers choose to pump and dump. First, they may be away from their baby and/or need to get rid of milk for their own comfort. Second, they might be concerned about the contents of their breast milk.
Some mothers produce more breast milk than their baby can eat. Others go to work without their babies and don’t have access to a fridge to store milk. However, they need to get rid of the milk somehow, because it can be very uncomfortable to wait and leave extra milk in their breasts. In this case, pumping and dumping the milk is their best option.
The other case is when a mother has consumed something like alcohol that may transfer to their breast milk. It’s common knowledge that alcohol is bad for infants. Some mothers take the reasonable next step of choosing caution when drinking while breastfeeding their new baby.
It’s a good idea to avoid the possibility of your baby getting any alcohol, including the alcohol in your breast milk. However, studies have not shown that pumping and dumping has any effect on the alcohol content of your breast milk. Waiting two hours after each alcoholic drink to breastfeed should allow the alcohol to leave your breast milk whether or not you pump and dump.
Pros and Cons of Pumping and Dumping
Whether or not to pump and dump is a personal choice. There aren’t many reasons that mean you need to pump and dump, but there also aren’t many drawbacks to the process.
Benefits of Pumping and Dumping
For mothers who produce more breast milk than their babies can eat, choosing to pump and dump can be helpful. Going too long without expressing milk can cause your breasts to become engorged, which can be uncomfortable and even lead to mastitis, or the infection of the breasts. In this case, pumping and dumping can help you feel more comfortable and prevent health complications.
If you want to drink alcohol while breastfeeding, you can choose to pump and dump as well. Studies have determined that alcohol will naturally leave your breast milk as it leaves your bloodstream, so waiting two hours will ensure that the alcohol is out of your milk. However, if your breasts become uncomfortable before that time is up or you want to maintain your expression schedule, you can pump and dump to avoid feeding that milk to your baby.
If you take certain medications, your doctor may recommend that you pump and dump if you want to continue breastfeeding your baby afterward. Many medications are safe for babies. If you have concerns about any medication you take, talk to your doctor to learn whether you should breastfeed or pump and dump while on that medication.
Drawbacks of Pumping and Dumping
There are few drawbacks to pumping and dumping. Some mothers find pumping and dumping uncomfortable or unpleasant. Because alcohol will naturally leave your milk as it leaves your bloodstream, there’s no need to pump and dump if it makes you uncomfortable.
Furthermore, some mothers have difficulty producing enough milk. In this case, choosing to pump and dump can cut down on your total milk supply for the day. As long as you supplement your baby’s diet with formula, however, this should not be a problem.
There is a good time to pump and dump: when your breasts are too engorged and they are becoming painful. If your baby isn’t hungry and you don’t have a place to store your extra milk for later, there’s no reason to be uncomfortable. Pump until you feel comfortable again, then dispose of the extra milk.
