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: Figured out how to fix the suction problem
Summary: 2 Stars
I am coming up on a year of pumping while at work and this is my second pump (first was a Lansinoh that lost suction after heavy use). I have spent more time cursing this pump than loving it. When I have a second kid I will probably invest in a different pump.
First of all, the suction is terrible and the only way I could get enough suction to actually get milk out was if I pump on one side while plugging the loose tube manually with my thumb instead of plugging it into the socket available for one-sided pumping. If I just plug it in like is recommended in the manual instead of physically holding the tube closed, the suction is terrible and I can actually hear the air escaping. My co-worker has this pump and she swears she can't pump but I wonder if her problem is with the suction and not that she doesn't let down for the pump.
I also end up with a lot of milk leaking if I'm not careful. If you lean forward, forget it, your clothes are done. I have poured ounces of milk on my lap, on my chair at work, and on the floor. My office probably smells like a dairy farm. Anyway. I finally figured that out.
There are some features I like about this pump, which is why it gets two stars instead of one:
Size is great.
Battery life is great.
Hands-free is a good idea, if I didn't have suction problems.
Also like that you can wear it, so it is truly hands-free. Except for the suction and leakage problems!
Quiet enough for work.
Small enough to take everywhere--I have hung this on a coat hook under a jacket at a conference, etc.
I like the storage bottles and the ice pack. Okay, I might be reaching here. Medela, fix the suction problems!
Customer Review: Great pump; worth the $$; saved my breast-feeding experience
Summary: 4 Stars
I love the Freestyle pump. Unlike some other reviewers, I find that the suction is very efficient and I always am able to get a good output. No problems with the motor whatsoever. I fortunately bought this pump right before my son was born and needed it immediately due to a blocked duct and subsequent mastitis. My son's latch was so painful that I had to pump very frequently in the beginning to survive the pain of the initial latch problem.
Also: the Freestyle is what finally cleared my blocked duct. Immediate pain relief!
Why I would buy it again:
Pros:
* Super-portable. This is a major selling-point. I don't want to be fiddling with a bulky bag in the middle of the night.
* Digital display -- great feature
* Toggle switch for letdown phases -- I use that every time
* Parts are easy to find anywhere
Cons:
* Soft-Fit flanges are very, very small. If you have any pain with those, ditch them and buy a larger size in the Personal Fit type (hard shell.)
* Tubing tends to get condensation. I worry that the motor will fail over time because of that.
* Hands-free straps are cumbersome. Takes too long to strap all those pieces on. I finally got a Simple Wishes Hands-Free Breastpump Bra, XS/S/M and it's MUCH better for hands-free with the Freestyle.
Also -- warning: Medela's Quick Clean microwave bags are not very compatible with Freestyle, according to Medela Customer Service. The rep said it is suggested only to use Quick Clean for the bottles and the tubing; not the other parts.
Customer Review: This Product has a Design Flaw
Summary: 1 Stars
Model reviewed: FREESTYLE MEDELA
I purchased this product in December 2010. It was recommended to us a being portable and efficient. We originally wanted to purchase the PISA (Pump In Style Advance).
After 3 months of use, I must say: DO NOT BUY THIS MODEL.
1-The SoftFit breastshield is not usable. After some time, the soft plastic part gets deformed and hurts your breasts.
2-There is a big design problem with this model. It doesn't pump correctly. I think it is due to the fact that, contrary to other Medela models, it does not have separate membranes and valves. Rather these are integrated in the connector.
The valves and membranes (see : [...] ) can be adapted on all Medela models except the FREESTYLE. The Freestyle has a new design but it just doesn't work. There isn't sufficient suction power with this design.
I have tried a friend's PISA (Pump In Style Advanced) and I was able to pump 240ml in a very short time and very easily, whereas with my FREESTYLE I was able only to get 130ml and it took me double the time.
As a result of using this pump for 3 months my breasts have started to become very hard. Our baby could no longer feed correctly. I have even been obliged to go to the hospital every day for 2 weeks to follow a special therapy (ultrasonic for 30min, vibration for30min and a manual massage by a nurse for 30min) in order to remove the dried and harden milk in my breasts. I suffered immensely as a result.
So I strongly recommend not to buy this product model but rather look at the Pump in Style Advanced or other models but not the Feestyle.
Customer Review: Lightweight and portable, but has a few problems
Summary: 4 Stars
I was fortunate to receive this pump through my insurance company before my 2nd child was born. I had previously used the Pump In Style backpack pump. I also use a hospital grade pump from time to time, in a pump room available at my work place.
I used the Freestyle pump from the get go to pump excess milk, and subsequently when I went back to work (including some 24 hour shifts, during which I often pump more than 40 ounces). Compared to older pumps, the 2-phase tecnhology definitely helps create a more rapid let down. The pump is fast at higher levels (I have pumped up to 18 ounces in a 12-15 minute session). It is also very lightweight, which makes it great for bringing back and forth to work, and can easily be carried in any style bag, such as a shoulder bag or back pack.
However, it is noisy, especially when compared to hospital grade pumps, and the battery life is shorter than advertised (at least for my level of use). I learned that the hands-free pumping does not work that well for women with larger breasts (D-DD when nursing). The biggest issue I have had with this pump, however, is that the membranes and valves are much harder to use than those that come with the other Medela pumps. I often have to stop and restart pumping several times before the valves are snug and the suction is good. This problem is probably the one thing I have found most frustrating with this pump.
Overall, I found this to be a good pump. However, the only real reason to get it is if having a lightweight and highly portable pump is very important to you. Otherwise, the less expensive versions seem to work every bit as well, if not better.
Customer Review: One Year In, Still Thrilled With This Little Pump!
Summary: 5 Stars
I researched pumps like crazy before settling on this one.
PROS
1. It works. And is powerful- I've never used higer than 7 (it goes to 10) and have had good results. I'd heard some complaints about the noise, and while this thing isn't silent, it's about the same as the others I hear in the lactation room at work. And you can throw it under a blanket or a pillow at home to muffle it- I can easily watch tv or have a conversation while I pump.
2. The size. Working full time and commuting by public transport, I really didn't want to drag 2 bags to work each day. This pump, the cooler, and all the bits I need fit inside a small lululemon bag, which fits inside my normal work bag, with room for lunch and other odds and ends.
3. The included hands free system- it's clunky, but it works, and is a necessity for double pumping. Buying a bustier to hold on a cheaper pump adds $30, so this helps justify the cost.
4. The convenience of a rechargable battery pack. The charge lasts a week, and I can pump anywhere, everywhere. (and believe me, you will)
5. Medela customer service- sent me a new hands free system free of charge when I lost one of the small pieces.
6. The digital display is handy, for gaguing how my flow is doing, and for keeping track of how long it takes.
CONS
1. The only complaint I have is the cover to the battery-- it occasionally slides off. And if the battery itself comes loose, the unit demands to be recharged for about 20 hours before it's happy. You can still use it with the power cord of course, but I'd like to see the battery cover locked more firmly in place.