Pumping and dumping is when you pump your breast milk that for various reasons is not safe for your child to drink and dump it down the drain. Consuming alcohol can be a reason, also ncertsin medications. Recently some medications have been deemed safer or doctors advise to take after pumping or nursing. If you have to take the medication and it is deemed unsafe, then definitely pump and dump. Pumping ensures your supply of milk doesn’t lessen. If you drink, it’s ok to feed your baby if you aren’t tipsy but remember don’t take a chance, alcohol stays in breast milk.
Key Takeaways:
- Doctors will inform you if the medication you are prescribed is safe for breastfeeding and can possibly provide an alternative medicine that is safe.
- When it is not possible to breastfeed is best to pump and dump to prevent a decrease in supply.
- If you have been drinking alcohol it is safe to breastfeed once the effects from the alcohol have gone away. This means the alcohol has been filtered out and will no longer affect breast milk.
“Pump and dump means you first express your breast milk and then dispose of it by dumping it down the drain. You might need to do this if on special medication or have consumed alcohol.”