Customer Reviews for Medela - Freestyle Hands-free Double Electric Breast Pump - Gray
Customer Rating
4
Hands Free Convert
on February 5, 2023
Posted by: LaurenH
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This pump has been a fantastic change to my pumping routine! I am able to express as much, if not more* milk with this than with my other pump! I use it whenever possible. I have loved being able to pump by just putting the easily assembled collection cups in my fave nursing tanks that are supportive enough to keep them in place on my DDs. Much better than having to halfway undress with shields and bottles dangling. And the three easy parts to clean is a great improvement over 6+ per side for my other pump setup. This is the first wireless pump that I have used, and it was nice to be cord free with the re-chargeable battery. The app and pump communicate via Bluetooth to track date/time, pump session length, and even pump level/suction, but volume must be manually entered.
*The biggest drawback for me is the cup capacity. I can only use this pump for afternoon/evening pumps because my morning pump volume is usually around 13oz and the 5oz capacity per collection cups is unfortunatley not compatible with the output of my morning pump sessions. I have actually gotten 5.5 oz per cup a few times, which thankfully did not overflow the cups. Rather, I think the suction significantly decreases once the level of milk reaches the level of the nipple tunnel.
While I would say this pump is compact, I did not think it was discreet enough to pump around other people (ie without closing my office door), but I had no problem with using them in a drive thru line.
The clear cups are convenient for nipple alignment initially, but fog up quickly once milk starts flowing which makes it difficult to check if they are still aligned.
One final thing is that the "snap" of the collection cup assembly is very important! I had a mishap the first time I used it since one of the cups was not fully connected. It held together for the first 15 minutes of my pumping session, so when it leaked out the bottom, it was a substantial amount. Make sure there is a snap/click!
Some recommendations for improvement: I'd like to be able to try the collection cups with another pump, or even the pump with the flanges and bottles I already have, but the tubing is only compatible with the Freestyle pump. This pump can remember up to 30 pumps to transfer data to the app, but it does not remember previous pump settings for stimulation and expression phases which would be nice so I didn't have to readjust them each time I start to pump. It did take longer than the 2 hours expected to fully charge the battery from empty. However, a full battery lasted for 160 minutes which is longer than the expected 2hr/8 sessions.
The user manual did not mention a replacement time-frame for the membranes, which wear out on any other pump, so I am curious to see if that is recommended, what the time-frame is, and how available those membranes will be once this pump goes to market. A very minor thing I've noticed is a "chime" at the 15 minute mark. Not an issue, just not mentioned in the user manual.
I was given this breast pump to try as part of the Stellar Product Testing Panel.
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, April 19, 2023
Hi LHamilton--- We appreciate your feedback and love hearing your suggestions as well! If you ever need help or have any questions about your breast pump, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 800-435-8316. We have some excellent resources to help our mommas!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
Truly for the multitasking mama
on February 6, 2023
Posted by: Busymama
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Thanks to the Stellar Product Testing panel for sending me this pump to try out. It couldn’t have come at a better time because I just had to go back to work after having my third child and boy have I gotten a lot of use out of this thing. There doesn’t seem to be an end to the tasks I have to accomplish during the day, and this wearable pump allows me to keep on top of things even when I need to express milk. I can use it while I do household chores, but it’s also small and discreet enough to use while I’m at work. I just tuck the pump into my bag and I’m ready to go! In fact, one of my favorite parts about thus pump is that there aren’t a ton of pieces to keep up with or overly complicated instructions on how to use it. The wearable part is comfortable and it holds a surprising amount of milk. All in all, this pump is great and way outperforms any other device I’ve used previously.
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, April 14, 2023
Hi Busymama--- We're so happy that the Freestyle Hands-Free Breast Pump has worked well for you! Thank you for your positive review!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
Handsfree medela oump
on February 6, 2023
Posted by: Momof4
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love this handsfree pump! It allowed me to have so much more freedom- from taking care of 1 of my 4 kids to cleaning to getting ready for the day to working! I loved that I wasn’t tied down to having to be plugged up to a wall. Easy to use, easy to assembly, only 3 parts to clean which was amazing! Efficient at getting milk out as well. Discreet and fits right in your bra! Would highly recommend to any busy on the go mama that does not have time to be tied down!! Thank you to stellar panel for sending me this product to test !
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, April 19, 2023
Hi Momof4--- It's wonderful to hear that you love it! Thank you for your great review!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
Perfect for pumping on the go
on February 6, 2023
Posted by: VJackson
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Medela Freestyle Hands-free pump is now my go to for on the go pumping! The design is sleek, comfortable and about as natural as you can make a wearable pump. It was so easy to set the pumps up. The manual was helpful and easy to read. After sterilizing, I was able to use right away. The way the duckbill is designed decreased the pump parts to be cleaned which is a HUGE win. Those little pieces add up!
I work in a busy clinic setting as a nurse. 9/10 times you can’t even hear the pumps and most people never realize I’m pumping (my patient population is pediatrics, they are quick to tell you if they notice something strange). It’s so easy to continue on with my responsibilities while pumping, which was previously a concern for me as I returned from maternity leave. This pump helps make a hard goal of being a working mom and continuing a breastmilk journey obtainable.
At first, I didn’t like having the tubing and a small pump attached, as my previous wearable pump was completely in-bra; however, I think this design is best to maintain suction level/ power. It is compact, light-weight and a powerhouse! The battery life is generous and efficiency stays consistent, even as the battery wanes. One full charge and I am set for the day and I use it every 4 hours!
Overall, I would absolutely recommend this product to expecting moms or moms in need of an on-the-go pumping solution. Thank you to the Stellar Product Testing Panel for allowing me to test the Medela Freestyle hands-free pump.
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, April 19, 2023
Hi VJackson--- We're so glad you have enjoyed the portability that the pump offers! Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful feedback!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
The Best Thing I Did Not Know I Needed
on February 7, 2023
Posted by: KBAX
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Firstly, thank you to Stellar Panel Review for providing me with the Medela Freestyle Hands-free Double Electric Breast Pump to try. It came very well packaged and everything was in good order, however, there was a lot of extra packaging that was unnecessary and added clutter and trash (this only stood out to me as we have to haul our own task and and filled half a trash can). It was very easy to set up, apply, and use! It actually had fewer steps than my Medela Pump-In-Style I was using. The hands-free capability was more important to me than I thought it would be. I was able to wash dishes, do laundry, and ACTUALLY a enjoy a cup of hot coffee while pumping (as I was able to get up and go get my coffee off of the counter after I started pumping). As far as pumping ability, I was getting the same, if not more, while using the Hands Free when compared to my other Medela Pump.
Things to consider if getting would be that it doesn't contain any extra flanges and they are very specific to this store so u would order some to have on hand. I also had to add a clip to the pump to attach it to my belt loops while up and moving. The parts were easy enough to clean, but I needed a small brush to get into all the extra crevices to ensure no milk film built up. The instructive are clear and concise but do not specify if a commercial bottle sanitizer can be used to sanitizer the parts.
Overall, this is a great product that I don't think I could be without now that I've had the chance to use it. But maybe not at work as it is not nearly as discreet as you'd like but if it were smaller it couldn't hold the amount of milk I pump so a fair trade off.
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, April 19, 2023
Hi KBAX--- Thank you for taking the time to share your honest feedback! Wishing you all the best!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
5
I absolutely love this pump
on February 7, 2023
Posted by: Hay1
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I absolutely the Medela Freestyle Hands Free Double Electric Pump that I received from the Stellar Product Testing panel! Initially, it was very easy putting together and the instructions were simple on how to use and take care of the pump. After figuring out how to use it, I pumped for the first time and I had zero issues. It fit in my nursing bra perfect and shaped to my breast as needed with no complications. When you have the pumps on you can tell you have them on but you have good privacy to where you can do anything with them on and be covered. I'm a mother of two so I am constantly needing to do something or not having time to fit anything into my schedule, for example pumping! The size and the pumps being hands free definitely has changed the game to where I can add pumping into my schedule while doing anything that I need to get done! Sometimes I will pump in the morning so I have pumped while making breakfast, taking care of the kids, walking, etc. Excluding bending down because it will spill! The pumps have a good suction so I haven't had any issues with expressing breastmilk! They hold 6 ounces each which is perfect for my supply. I definitely recommend using this pump especially if you are an always on the go type of person!
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, April 19, 2023
Hi Hay1--- That's terrific to hear! We're wishing you all the best!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
4
Love the convenience
on February 8, 2023
Posted by: Jenny
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was given this breast pump to try as part of the Stellar Product Testing Panel. Overall, having a hands-free breast pump is a game changer. Having a 1.5 year old as well as a newborn, it is extremely helpful to not be tied down by both cords and holding the pump pieces in place. I absolutely love how small the actual motor is. It’s so compact and easy to hold. This allows me to stay on the go with my toddler while maintaining my milk supply for my newborn. It also helps me stay productive as I can finish other household or work tasks while pumping. It took me a bit at first to figure out how to assemble and disassemble the pieces and get familiar with the pump, although once I got the hang of it, it was fairly simple.
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, April 19, 2023
Hi Jenny--- Thank you so much for your feedback! Best wishes!
Written by a customer while visiting medela.com
Customer Rating
4
Very nice hands free pump
on February 9, 2023
Posted by: Merategan
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This hand free breast pump is very nice overall! It has great suction, and the switch over from stimulation to expression is seamless. I love how easy it is for me to get things done while pumping, and not having to worry about putting on a separate bra, or having big bottles sticking out. The only thing I wish were different is the tubing and separate motor. It would be nice if it were all contained together. I always have to make sure the tubes are out of sight or my two year old tries to pull on them.
Thank you to Medela and Stellar Product Testing Panel for giving me the opportunity to test this product in return for my honest feedback.
Response from medela.comBy *, Your Customer Solutions Team, April 19, 2023
Hi Merategan--- We're so happy you have had a great experience and appreciate your honest feedback. Wishing you all the best!