Scores of reasons make nursing mothers strive to find other and possibly better ways to breastfeed their babies besides the usual traditional methods.
One example of such a reason is a mother being too busy to feed the child on time while taking care of other pressing issues.
Also, some couples prefer to partake in their baby’s feeding sessions, and since only one of the parents produces breast milk, finding a feasible solution becomes necessary.
Nowadays, some devices make breastfeeding without a mother’s presence possible.
One such device is the Medela Freestyle Handsfree Breast Pump, which Medela designed to solve a wide range of problems for nursing mothers.
This Medela Freestyle Breast Pump review will help you determine if the product stays true to its promise.
Medela Freestyle Breast Pump Review
Medela designed this double-electric breast pump to make it easier for nursing mothers to feed their babies adequately and on time, even when mothers are absent due to various reasons.
Medela is a research-based company with branches in several countries, and they specialize in producing child-care products, particularly those related to mother and child.
The quality of their products earned them the reputation among doctors, of being a leading brand for breast pumps in the world.
A good number of Medela’s products come from the U.S.A, but this particular double-electric breast pump comes from Switzerland, where the company has corporate headquarters.
One advantage of the Freestyle pump is that you get the work done twice as fast compared to a single breast pump because you can pump both breasts simultaneously.
You can still pump one breast at a time, though.
Who Is It For?
The Medela Freestyle Double Breast Pump is excellent for nursing mothers whose commitments may interrupt the timely breastfeeding of their babies.
The breast pump is equally for mothers who want their babies to feed on mama’s milk, despite leaving them for long periods in the care of others.
If a couple wants to share in their baby’s feeding, there’s nothing better than a double electric breast pump that works reliably.
Others who can benefit from Medela’s Freestyle Double Breast Pump are adopters who prefer to feed the baby with human or donor breast milk.
You can also consider buying this Freestyle double electric breast pump if you have breast milk supply issues, the kind where there’s hardly enough milk for the baby.
As a busy nursing mother, using an electric pump should help you store some milk away in addition to your natural supply.
If you aren’t getting enough sleep due to breastfeeding or other issues, it’s a good idea to have one of these pumps so others can help feed your baby while you get some sleep.
No matter your reason for needing a breast pump, if you want it to last well and work reliably, it’d help to take good care of it using techniques such as sterilizing with hot water and other maintenance procedures.
What’s Included
- A freestyle pump
- One black microfiber tote bag
- A lithium-ion battery
- One AC adaptor or charger
- One insulated cooler bag and ice pack
- Four 5oz or 150ml BPA-free breast milk bottles and lids
- A double pumping kit
- Two medium (24mm) PersonalFit breast shields
- Two large (27mm) PersonalFit breast shields
- Two freestyle breast shield connector bodies
- A two-membrane tubing set
- A hands-free accessory kit
- Breastfeeding information guide
- Instructions for use
Overview of the Features
The Freestyle Breast Pump by Medela offers the following:
- Ease of Use
The product is a double electric breast pump for daily use, with two sizes of PersonalFit breast shields for convenient pumping.
It also has a rechargeable battery with a lightweight motor that allows you to pump on the go.
Additionally, it’s got a 1.75-inch LCD feature with a memory button, timer, and backlight, which lets you control your pump sessions.
- Functionality
The double breast pump differs from Medela’s single breast pumps in that the pump in the single type builds into a bag which contributes to bulkiness.
This double electric pump, on the other hand, has a freestyle motor built into a portable machine that runs using electricity or a battery.
- Materials and Parts
The Freestyle breast pump material is free from BPA.
While the pump is from Switzerland, the battery and accessories come from other countries such as the U.S.A, China, Taiwan, and Canada.
However, it’s not dishwasher-safe.
- Included Storage Bag
The product comes with a portable microfiber bag made specially to hold your freestyle breast pump components.
- Advanced Technology
Lots of research goes into anything produced by Medela, and this specific breast pump features a patented Two-Phase Expression Technology that closely mimics the way a baby suckles.
Being an electric pump with a battery function, it offers the added advantage where you don’t have to pump using your hand or feet to get it working.
The engineers at Medela have learned through research that a baby’s breastfeeding has two distinct phases: the stimulation phase and the expression phase.
Thus, they had both phases in mind while designing the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump.
The Two-Phase Expression and other technologies give people confidence that the device will serve its purpose well.
It’s also the primary factor that gives Medela a competitive edge.
How to Use the Medela Freestyle Double Breast Pump
The instructional manual that comes with this product is the best way to learn how to use it.
In addition to the manual and to make this Medela Freestyle Breast Pump review as helpful as possible, here is a detailed YouTube video on how to benefit from your new breast pump.
Pros
- Pumps more milk in a shorter time
- Light portable design
- Digital screen
- Battery and charging functionality
- Electric-powered
- The battery lasts up to three hours
- Features two-phase tech mimicking how a baby suckles
Cons
- Noisy
- Slow customer care
- Suction issues
Alternative
Philips Avent Double Electric Breast Pump – SCF334/02
The Medela Freestyle Breast Pump is one of the top ten double breast pumps for mothers.
Its several great features help many meet the breastfeeding demands of their babies and still manage their time as usual.
But it has flaws that make it less of a choice for specific categories of customers.
It’s noticeably cumbersome and wasn’t built initially for portability.
Other double breast pumps weigh a lot less, something you should consider if you’re shopping for something under two kilograms.
A good example is the Philips Avent Double Electric Breast Pump – SCF334/02, which is not only a lot lighter than the former but also costs less.
Verdict
As always, be thoroughly informed and make comparisons between products before making a purchase decision.
That said, if you want to pump more often, like three times a day, you’ll find this product handy.
The Medela Freestyle Double Breast Pump is one of the best in its category and deserves a top spot on your wishlist.