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Expressing

Pump and dump? Everything you need to know

Article By
Sonni-Ann
Published On
19 Nov, 2025
Read Time
4 minutes
  • The term “Pump and dump” is when you express your breast milk (pump) but choose not to feed your baby with this milk (dump).  
  • It’s useful when you’re uncomfortable (full or engorged) and need to remove your breast milk from your body but can’t use your baby either because they are not with you at the moment or because you are following medical advice after certain medications or procedures.  
  • Pumping even when away from your baby will ensure your breast milk supply is protected (big gaps can reduce your milk supply).  
  • Alcohol leaves breast milk at the same rate it leaves your bloodstream, so pumping won’t speed that up. 

If you’ve ever typed “pump and dump” into your search bar during a well-earned night out, you’re in good company. The phrase gets thrown around a lot, usually with a mix of panic and guesswork. But the reality is far calmer, far simpler, and far kinder to you. 

Let’s break it down in a way that actually helps. 

What “Pump and Dump” really means 

Despite the dramatic name, pump and dump is simply expressing milk and choosing not to feed it to your baby. 

Parents usually do this when: 

  • They’re uncomfortable and need relief 
  • They want to protect supply while away from their baby 
  • A healthcare professional advises it after certain medications or procedures 

When you don’t need to pump and dump

There are a lot of myths around this topic, and most of it adds unnecessary pressure. In many everyday situations, pumping and dumping isn’t needed at all. 

One of the biggest myths? That you must always pump and dump after drinking alcohol. You don’t always need to. Alcohol doesn’t sit in your breast milk waiting to be pumped out. It naturally leaves your milk at the same pace it leaves your bloodstream. Pumping won’t speed this up, it only helps if your breasts feel full or uncomfortable. 

Drinking alcohol while breastfeeding: What you actually need to know 

If you choose to have a drink, here’s some practical guidance: 

  • A small glass of wine, half a pint of beer, or a single measure of spirits typically takes around two hours per drink to clear from your system. 
  • The more you drink, the longer your body will take to metabolise the alcohol. 
  • There’s no need to pump and dump unless you’re feeling full and want to relieve pressure. 
  • If you’d like to feed during that waiting window, you can express beforehand and keep that milk ready to go. 

Once those two hours have passed per drink, you can breastfeed as normal. 

When pumping and dumping is helpful 

There are some moments when you might choose to pump and dump, such as: 

  • If your GP or midwife advises a temporary pause in breastfeeding after a specific medication or procedure 
  • If you’re pumping purely to stay comfortable when away from your baby 
  • If you’ve been exposed to something medically confirmed as unsafe for baby 

How to pump and dump 

If you do need to pump and dump, here’s the fuss-free way to do it: 

  1. Express until you’re comfortable, with a pump or by hand. 
  2. Discard that milk. 
  3. Carry on as normal once you’ve been advised it’s safe to resume feeding. 

Pumping and dumping: Myths vs. Facts 

✘ Myth 

✔ Fact 

Breast milk stores alcohol until you pump it out. 

It clears naturally as your body metabolises alcohol. 

Pumping and dumping is always the safest option. 

It’s only needed in specific situations. 

Any alcoholic drink means your breast milk must be discarded. 

One alcoholic drink usually clears in around two hours, and there’s no need to discard unless you’re uncomfortable. 

Trusting yourself

Feeding shouldn’t be another source of pressure. Most of the time, you don’t need to throw milk away, rush for the pump, or second-guess yourself. Your body knows what it’s doing. Your intuition is stronger than you think. And when all you need is a clear, honest answer, we’re right here. 

Explore the Range

Breast Pumps & Expressing

I’ve had one drink, do I need to pump and dump?

No. Only pump if you’re uncomfortable. Alcohol clears from your milk as it clears from your bloodstream, usually about two hours per drink, so just wait a while (2 hours per 2 units) then you can express or breast feed as normal. Planning drinks around your baby's feeding schedule helps minimise exposure, and having stored milk available provides a safe backup option when needed. 

Alcohol does reach your breast milk, matching the level in your bloodstream. The more you drink alcohol, the more your baby is exposed. This can mean they take in less milk, seem unusually sleepy, or have their sleep rhythm disrupted. 

If you do choose to drink alcohol, keeping it moderate and leaving a gap of around 2–3 hours per drink before feeding helps reduce the amount that remains in your system. Levels usually peak about 30–60 minutes after drinking alcohol and having food in your stomach can slow how quickly it enters your milk. Your own body weight and metabolism also play a role in how fast it clears from your system. 

Health professionals are aligned on this: no level of alcohol in breast milk is classed as entirely risk-free. Feeding once you’re fully sober is the safest option for your baby. 

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