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 Buy Used: from $321.99 (click here) Category: Baby Product See more product details |
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Baby Products Reviews of Medela Freestyle Breast Pump
Customer Review: I thought it was fine, then motor died
Summary: 2 Stars
This is my first and only breast pump and decided to spend all this money because I planned on using it at home and the office. In that regard, the size, weight and the battery that allows you to walk around and not remain plugged to an outlet are great.
Not great at all:
- Like another reviewer said, the nooks and crannies in some of the parts are tough to clean. Very tough. One day I, too, realized that _mold_ had grown there. Had to clean it with a q-tip. I guess my daughter has been better immunized to bacteria than I thought thanks to this, if you want to put a positive spin on it. But hey. All those warnings about how a pump can absolutely *not* be used by more than one woman because of hygiene, and you sell me a pump that grows mold???
- The motor died three days after the 1-yr warranty expired, with average use of 3x daily. Need I say more? For a pump that costs almost $[...], I would have expected a much longer life (I know a number of women who have used the same pump with three kids). Then again, that was more than the three months some reviewers are complaining about, but then yet again they were covered by the warranty.
I don't know why the membrane system needs to be different from those of other Medela models, but that should be fixed right away. As for the motor, it is the case that extremely compact devices offer lightness and small sizes at the cost of overall quality, and I'd say my mistake was to believe that the tiny, light pump would have as good a motor as the other models.
I can't be sure that the pumping wasn't as efficient as with other Medela models, because I've had nothing to compare it to until now that I'm using an old "In Style" (not even Advanced), which seems to do a great job. I had good supply and never had to use formula, so whatever the efficiency, it was good enough for me.
To many mothers who complain about how complicated the hands-free straps are: don't use them! I never even attempted, the photo looked like an instrument of torture. I bought the Easy Expression bustier bra (basically, a band with two holes), which I could wear over my nursing bra just for pumping and it worked great.
Customer Review: Comparison to Pump In Style Advanced
Summary: 2 Stars
I started out with the Freestyle because I travel for work and was attracted to the weight and size. However, when the motor died and left me without a pump I asked Medela to replace it with the Pump In Style Advanced. I have not looked back. Immediately my production jumped by 3 oz/day and it has continued to climb since then. If you are deciding between the two, here is a quick breakdown:
Benefits of Freestyle:
- Mobile, can diaper baby while pumping
- Hoses are easier to plug in and take out
- Hoses do not build condensation
- Everything I need for a day at work (except a packed lunch) fit easily in bag
- Digital display made getting to know your let down cycles easy
- Long battery life, short battery recharge
- Battery contained within pump unit
- Easier to clean with Quick Clean Wipes
Drawbacks of Freestyle:
- Connectors allow direct path for milk to spill if it sloshes while walking/tips once placed on table
- Pumping took longer to get same amount of milk as Pump In Style Advanced
- Pumping felt harsher, more painful, than Pump In Style Advanced
- Turned on with a push button, often came on in bag while walking to work which drained battery
- Hands Free setup feels unstable - prefer security of "Easy Expression" (or home made version)
- Louder than Pump In Style Advanced
Benefits of Pump In Style Advanced
- Higher volume milk production
- Accessories in Metro Bag are great
Drawbacks of Pump In Style Advanced
- More parts
- Connectors difficult to clean with Quick Clean Wipes
- Membranes wear out and tear easily, always need a spare set in the bag
Comments on both Freestyle & Pump In Style
- Would prefer to adjust suction and speed independently as with Lactina
- Would prefer if "let down" change required you to push the button. Often this happens before I am ready for it and causes a few moments of extreme pain while I reach to re-set the pump.
As other reviewers have said, Medela customer service was terrific to deal with but I would have preferred not to have the issue.
Customer Review: The best portable pump out there, not a BIAS review
Summary: 4 Stars
I don't want to be biassed. So let me say it out loud: I HATE BREASTPUMPING!!
With that out of the way, despite my personal reservation with the process itself, I have to say that this pump is a lifesaver. I wouldn't have gone down this road if it weren't for those lactation nazi at the hospital who turned me into a paranoid new mother. My son was born on a larger/heavier than the average baby. At 9.6lbs, he's been drinking 4oz ever since he was born, contrary to the newborn's belief of their stomach being the size of a marble. When I found out that my baby was crying non stop due to hunger (although he had been latching on for 20 minutes on each breast every 2 horus), and then finally realized that I wasn't producing anything yet not even colustrum, I decided to pump to see how much milk I was producing. Those lactation nazi at the hospital never once recommended a supplemental feeding with formula! Being the firstime mother, I became paranoid and decided to pump ever since to ensure that my baby received adequate supplies of food. That's what got me pumping on the first place.
With that said, I use this pump every 4 hours everyday thus far (it's been 10 weeks). The pump is a bit loud, and forget about those handsfree attachment. This unit is not intended to be handsfree at all. Milk will be leaking all over the places otherwise, so just hold it manually.
I like the digital features with the timer. It's simple and straight to the point. Every piece is made out of plastic, thus a bit cumbersome to clean.
I'm not sure how long it will last. But the company offers a 1 year warranty. I have asked for a motor replacement thus far, not because it broke down. The LCD display leaked. Having had spend over $300 for a brand new pump that was used less than 2 weeks after the LCD leaked, I asked for a replacement which the company had happily sent over. I received the replacement within few days of reporting it.
I'm giving this pump a 4-star for the great warranty, its performance and saving me from paranoia thoughts. Durability... hmm... that remains to be seen. Afteral, there is a reason why the warranty is only for 1 year right?
Customer Review: What's Not To Love?
Summary: 5 Stars
Worth the money:
Yes it is expensive and that is why I have waited this long. My daughter is 8 months old and I just purchased this pump. I found it from a Medela authorized dealer for $100 cheaper, look online. I want to pump more and do mostly bottles to start the weaning process and also because my daughter has teeth which are sharp even though she does not bite me. I actually look forward to pumping now as opposed to before with my old pump.
Mobility:
Getting a glass of water, making a sandwich, ironing, everything while pumping because I am not tied dow to an outlet, it's amazing.
Truly more milk in less time:
I usually use this pump on the highest level (Level 9) but sometimes that is too strong so I lower it to 7 or 8. I am usually done pumping in 8 minutes!
Great battery life:
This pump works off a rechargeable battery which has lasted 3 days without running out exclusively pumping (no nursing).
Easier to clean:
The parts on this pump are completely different from the parts on the PISA. There is no small yellow thingy and no dime-sized membrane. Its three large parts, 2 plastic, one rubber, and there is no tunnel for milk to get stuck in.
Features:
Timer- seems unnecessary but when you have it you realize how great it is. Memory button- again, seems pointless to save your preferred pumping pattern, but when you do you can literally "set it and forget it." Wrist strap, great so it doesn't slip onto the floor by accident when walking around. Belt, awesome alternative to the wrist strap and good for when you need to use both hands while walking around. I do not use the handsfree straps because it looks complicated so I have a Simple Wishes pumping bustier that I love. The bag is nice and roomy and the cooler is great too. This pump comes with four bottles and one nipple.
Improvements to be made:
Considering it is such a huge investment, it would be nice to be able to choose your size flanges (I wear Large) and also to have included an extra set of pump parts (connector, diaphragm, and back cap). I just ordered extras today.
Customer Review: Works okay but is too loud and spills too often.
Summary: 3 Stars
I have to agree with some other reviewers that this unit is somewhat of a disappointment and I am not happy we spent $350 on it.
Pros?
* Small, convenient size.
* Love love love the timer.
Cons?
* The thing I hate THE MOST is that if you tip the bottles AT ALL, milk comes out. I always try to pay close attention, yet at least 4-5 times a week I lose some milk (anywhere from a few drips to a stream) because it's just so fussy and I moved the wrong way or had to get up to check the baby...and I curse the thing to high heaven each time. (I was spoiled by the Symphony I originally rented from the hospital that was a closed unit--which is necessary for rentals, but also keeps the milk in.)
* The hands-free system is a joke. Maybe it's because I have large breasts, but nothing I did allowed the pump to attach correctly to my bra/breasts. The clips didn't seem to be in the right position to keep the cone pressed against me; once I thought I had them clipped, the entire strap popped off. My husband actually had to step in and help me get it hooked up---and then once it was hooked, one side of the breastpiece/cone would tip away from me (breaking the suction) so I would end up just holding it there anyway. Friends suggested using a sports bra with a hole cut in it (to slip the cone through) but I really didn't want to change my clothes/shirt/bra each time I had to pump (every 3 hours).
* The volume. It can't top the baby crying, LOL, but it's certainly not quiet. Again, I was used to the Symphony...so anything is going to be louder...but you would hope it would be quieter so it would be less noticeable to everyone else.
* All the pieces! It's time-consuming to wash everything each time.
Of course, buying any of these pumps is a crap shoot because people always have different opinions that you have to take with a grain of salt. That said, I wish the company would take these back if you don't like it.
I still give it three stars because it does seem to work pretty well.