Medela Freestyle Breast Pump
by Medela
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List Price: Our Price: $329.99 You Save: $50.00 (13%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Baby Product See more product details |
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Baby Products Reviews of Medela Freestyle Breast Pump
Customer Review: Does the job well
Summary: 5 Stars
This pump was recommended to me by the lactation specialist I saw in the hospital after giving birth to my son. She said it was compact, efficient, etc. I saw the price and was not sold on spending that much, but I was kindly given it as a gift.
I used this thing so much--for when I had mastitis and needed a nursing break, for when I returned to work, etc. I was using it sometimes up to 5 times a day (not by choice). Sure, there are a lot of clips to make it hands-free, but once you're set up, you're set up. I could do my work and go about my business while not having to hold onto anything.
I read complaints of it being loud. Sure, it would be nice to have a silent one, but is that really important? I'd rather a good pump that does what it's supposed to than a silent one. Plus for 20 minutes of pump time, I think I can deal with the noise while I get emails out or brush my teeth.
I'm currently expecting #2 and hope for just as much success with this thing.
Oh, and find me a pump that doesn't have a lot of parts to wash--the people who complain about that here are in la-la land. It's like cleaning anything else. It's no fun, but a must.
Only thing I can say that's negative is that it's priced quite high.
Customer Review: Good Pump
Summary: 4 Stars
I had a Symphony rental for the first two months of pumping, and then anguished over whether to buy the freestyle or the pump in style. In the end I got the freestyle, and have been using it for 1 month so far. Main thoughts:
1. Cleaning its parts is MUCH easier than the Symphony parts. Yes you have to clean the parts, as you do with any pump that I am aware of, but freestyle pumps parts have much less nooks and crannies than the Symphony. With the Symphony I kept ending up with black mold on some parts, so far with freestyle none. Love that.
2. The hands free feature is nice but I have a fast letdown (get 5-8 ounces in 10 minutes), so I have been finding it is much faster to just hold and pump than to take the time to get all the clasps going. It is rather time consuming to get all hooked up for hands free. But if I ever want to work on a blocked duct, its nice.
3. It's strong, I maybe pumped a bit more milk with the Symphony but it is barely noticeable. Depending on how full I am, I can pump 4 - 6 oz in the first 6 minutes.
4. The one thing I hate, which is why this gets 4 out of 5 stars, is that if you tip the bottle while hooked up and it's past half full you lose milk. I got spoiled with the Symphony in that regard.
Customer Review: not strong enough.. not "handsfree"
Summary: 1 Stars
I previously owned a Medela pump in style advanced for my first 2 kids and LOVED LOVED LOVED it. It lasted for over 24 months of pumping 3 times a day. I decided with baby #3 to indulge and by the Medela freestyle. What a mistake. We went to a 2 week trip to Hawaii and I purchased this so that i could take it with me since it was lighter, and my other pump bag was looking kinda ratty after 2 years of use. Well, my milk stores decreased sooo much because the pumping power is now where nears the pump in style advanced, even on the fullest power. Also, It sounded like a sick dying cow mooing and was sooo loud. And... that HANDSFREE contraption was a SICK JOKE!!!! it was so uncomfortable and would pop off my bra all the time and lose suction. Ahh, so frustrating. And, it was expensive. Luckily, the customer service was awesome at Medela. The figured out a way for me to get it replaced with a new pump in style advance. The new one was great. It was just like my older one but the pump could be removed from the bag, making it 1/2 the size of a lunch box. fyi...I have 3 children, all have been fed primarily breast pumped breastmilk for over 1 year. I have donated over 10 gallons to a milk bank, so I think I have a lot of experience in the department of breastpumps! :OCustomer Review: Great Pump
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm so glad I decided to spend the extra money on the freestyle versus the pump in style. The portability has been so useful. Not being attached to a wall unit allowed me to nurse on one side and pump on the other, even changing diapers and swaddling as I pumped. You do have to be careful not to lean over too much, but its not a big deal. I was skeptical about the hands free straps after reading some other reviews, but have been pleasantly surprised. Once you get the hand of it they're very easy to attach and very secure. I also have a bustier and never use it as it feels as though it starts to sag as the cotton stretches out. I much prefer the straps that come with the pump, plus, pumping at work, they're easy to use as long as you wear a nursing bra. My commute is about 20 min, so I've been pumping on the way which I couldn't have done with the pump in style (attach and start before start driving then stop and unattach when get to destination, wear brestfeeding cover). I also recently traveled and instead of having to buy and bring a small pump, I could just bring my freestyle saving money.
All in all, I am so glad I paid the extra money - while pumping is not my idea of fun, this pump makes it easier to fit into your busy routine.
Customer Review: So small and compact!
Summary: 4 Stars
This pump is so awesome! Its small, and the timer so you can see how long you are pumping, as well as a memory button. I have been using the Symphony pump which really does a great job in increasing my milk supply. The freestyle's suction is different, it has this vibrating feeling on the nipple for stimulation... Although it doesn't feel as strong as the Symphony (no other pump can compare to a hospital grade one), it extracts about 92% of the milk in the same amount of time as the Symphony, usually get 6 oz, but I get 5.5oz with the Freestyle). I'd recommend this pump if you are well established in your milk supply and are planning to pump at work every 3-4 hours to maintain the supply. The parts are easy to clean, and the soft shields are comfortable for me, but you have to keep the area dry because it doesn't suction when there is breast milk in between your breast and the shields!
The only thing I wish for is that its more quiet - that would make it super discreet in the office - you can just wear a baggy sweater on the top and pump at your desk with the pump in your pocket. But alas, the pump is very loud and it goes, "BRRRRRRR... BRRRRRR... BRRRRRR...." The Symphony is almost mute in comparison! That's why the 4 stars instead of 5!