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: What I wished I knew BEFORE I spent $380
Summary: 5 Stars
All the positive reviews are on the money. This is really the way to go if you plan the leave your house at any point while breastfeeding your baby.
What I wished I knew before was that you can totally buy this used. I know, there's something about breast milk and someone else's girly party touching it that sounds gross. That's what I thought too--so I forked over the cash for this little pumper of liquid gold. Here's why, you're essentially paying for the pumping unit (the little yellow piece)and the tubing which NEVER touches your breast or milk--sure the package comes with the breatshields and the parts that connect it to the pump but you can purchase a set of those on amazon for less than $30. If you search this out on craigslist you can pick it up for $75 to $200. Even with buying the new parts, you're saving a bundle and you will definitely need the extra cash for the diapers.
Here are the product links to make it work if you want new pieces that touch your milk and breast:
Medela's PersonalFit 27 mm. Breastshields 2-pk.
Medela Spare Parts Kit
Other things to know--
*Don't use the microwave sterilizing bags unless your are absolutely sure of your microwaves frequency. You will warp your parts (like I did and you'll have to buy replacements anyway).
*Hand-wash your pieces with a cloth rather than a sponge; they have the scrubby side which will rub on the plastic and make it hard to see through, especially the breastshield and you kind of need to see how your milk is flowing.
*Pumping while your husband or friend is driving (just cover up from big trucks with a blanket) is a super efficient use of time. You were just going to be sitting there anyway.
Customer Review: Worth every cent. Amazing small but strong pump. Dont buy anything else!
Summary: 5 Stars
After doing much research into breast pumps I purchased the Freestyle. I rented the Medela Lactina Select with the last two kids and this time decided I wanted to purchase a pump because I planend on pumping exclusively. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this pump and highly recommend it to anyone.
PROS:
Strong suction with many different levels to choose from. Dont let the size fool you.
Lightweight and portable. I throw this pump in my diaper bag, it is that small. Easy to take with you. It comes with a great carrying bag but so far I havent used it because I have an awesome diaper bag that fits everything and the kitchen sink in it (Skip Hop - Duo Double Deluxe).
No need to plug anything in! Rechargable batteries that hold their charge for over 3 hours. The battery is quick to charge back up too. You can use the plug in option but I never do. It is so nice to be able to pump in the car, at the computer, folding clothes, or reading. I just take it wherever I need to be and clip it on my belt and pump away. I highly recommend the Pump Ease hands free bra though. I couldnt figure out the hands free clips that came with the pump and they didnt feel very sturdy anyway. I dont want to risk losing any breastmilk. I bought the pump ease hands free bra on ebay for 18.00 and it works like a charm.
CONS:
It has a fairly obnoxious noise to it when pumping. It is fairly loud and you certainly can be heard from the next room. Sounds like a groaning/mooing sick cow. Which makes me laugh every time I hear it because I feel like a cow being milked when I hook up but that is neither here nor there :) I am just sayin'. You won't be using this at the movie theater or church.
NO other issues.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this pump. It is worth every penny and I would buy it again with no hesitation.
Customer Review: Beware - Lactation Consultants Advise Against This Pump
Summary: 3 Stars
I have owned this pump for 7 months now. I have been using it at least 4x a day for the past 5 months. I love how portable the pump is. I can take it anywhere. I take it to and from work every day. I also prefer the larger valve on this pump to the smaller valves on the other medela styles. I love the monitor showing me how long I have pumped for. And the option to switch between the fast pumping and the let down mode. Lastly, I love that it runs on a rechargable battery. I can go at least 2 days without charging it.
However, during the past several weeks, my milk supplied has taken a major dip. I spoke with a few lactaction consultants, and companies who rent out medical grade pumps, and the consensus is that this is not the best medela pump and it does not simulate the baby's sucking as well as the pump in style advanced. They say that the pump in style advanced is 'stronger.' They have suggested that I rent a medical grade pump to boost my supply, however, once I go back to exclusively using the freestyle, my supply would probably dip down again.
Given that advice, I strongly suggest you speak with other lactaction consultants if you plan to use this pump several times a day while at work or perhaps pump exclusively. And you should look into the pump in style advanced models.
I do not regret my choice in this pump since it is so portable and convenient. I have thought about purchasing a pump in style advanced to keep in my office and to use this at home and for travel. At this point though, I am just hoping that they get the freestyle up to par with the pump in style advanced by the time I have my next child!!
(oh and if you are wondering about the handsfree option on this pump, I personally do not use it regularly, though I have tried it several times and once you get the settings right, it is fairly simple to put together.)
Customer Review: Free again...
Summary: 5 Stars
I felt like a prisoner chained to a lead ball while using the pump-in-style. One day after 4 months of use (and on my first day of work nonetheless), the pump-in-style just lost suction and died on me. I got the freestyle and I was free again. I also bought a bustier Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bustier for Medela Breast Pump XS/S/M. Because the pump is really small and light, I could clip it on the bustier, put a robe on to hide the whole contraption, and go about my day doing everything that needed to be done. I don't think I could have used this in public places as some reviewers have noted.
A side-by-side comparison of the freestyle (FS) and the pump-in-style (PIS):
1. Size matters -the FS is the size of my hand and can be carried anywhere, the PIS is like a piece of luggage.
2. The FS has soft breast shields while the PIS has hard plastic ones. It makes a BIG difference in the level of comfort.
3. The FS has much better valves (big) than the PIS (tiny, slipped in the garbage disposal, ripped multiple times).
4. The FS has a rechargeable battery which lasts a surprisingly long time (days), so it's truly portable. The PIS is only portable when not being used (although you can use AA batteries).
5. The only advantage of the PIS is that the little backpack can be useful to fit all breastfeeding/pumping accessories.
Finally, when I brought the PIS along on a plane ride, I was stopped and searched and scanned meticulously because it looked too much like a bomb. I didn't have that same problem with the FS on plane trips (looks more like a gadget rather than a suitcase bomb).
Customer Review: serves my purpose- would recommend for working mothers
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased this product as a first time mother who intends to return to work in 6 weeks. I am using this for last 2 days. I have used both the medela symphony hospital grade pump and this one and hardly notice any difference except- the freestyle is hands free and a bit noisier. In the freestyle you can actually see how long you pumped for, I could not figure out that function in the symphony.
The hands free function was something I badly wanted as pumping is not the most intersting job on earth. The hands free attachment is not easy to figure out at first, but after 2-3 uses you get it. It comes with a belt and boasts that you can actually walk around while pumping, that is not true- but you can browse the internet, talk on the phone, watch a movie or read a book while pumping.
It has different suction strengths and does not hurt if you are using a level that is comfortable to you. Pumps almost same amount of milk that the symphony does- for me anywhere between 1-2 ounces in 15 minutes at level 6 suction(I pump after feeding my child and am 3 weeks post partum).
Comes with a nice bag and ice pack, 4 bottles and 1 slow flow nipple. Be aware that the breast shield that comes with the product is standard size (24 mm), and you may or may not fit into it. So please know your size from the lactation consultant at the hospital and buy the correct sized shield in addition to the kit. Shields are available in sizes S to XXL.
I am not sure how long the battery charge lasts. But I shall update if it doesnt make me happy. For now 5 stars for the product.(add- charge lasts 3-4 days after pumping for 6 times a day @ 15 mins each)
PS-The kit does not fit with Lansinoh storage bottles- you will need to use medela bottles or bags only.