Medela - Freestyle Breast Pump

I just started having to use this at work and I don't love it. I liked that its portable but it just doesn't seem very effective. One side sounds like it's leaking air and it just isn't that effective. I had been using the harmony hand pump and got a lot more out using that. My battery also dies pretty quickly so the portability really isn't that helpful. I would go with something else if I had the option.

I bought the pump brand new and the battery will no longer charge. It wasn't even an Year yet. So now it's no longer freestyle because i have to have power cord plug in to pump. I had Medela in the past for my other kids and they lasted multiple years! The cost of replacement battery is higher than just getting a used pump from resale market. I am super disappointed. Will not recommend Medela to any of my friends anymore.

Do to some flow and latching issues, I exclusively pump (EPing) for my 3.5 month old son. After looking online I didn't find much on EPing in regards to anyone doing it or what products work well for the amount of use required for EPing. I am on my 4th pump, 3 of them being medela pumps. All three medela were great but the cheap off brand one was horrible, only used it for one session. I burned up my in-style but loved it while it lasted, and it was out of the 12 month warranty. So on to the next. I have the medela single pump that I got free through my insurance. Its great but not convenient for EPing since one at a time takes you twice at long, but it's great for a back up pump which I needed when I burned up my in-style. I was hesitant to buy this one because of the price but I was about to go back to work so I needed a more portable one. Paired with the expression bra, it soo easy to be hands free and mobile, I can walk around the house and get things done or don't have to worry about being near a plug at work. I love the design of the membrane since I went through so many of the small white ones with the in-style. The membranes with this pump are much more durable and easy to clean and not too small so they aren't as easy to lose. I also had issues with condensation in the tubes with my in-style. The design of the membrane and tube connection of this pump eliminates that problem completely! And there are less pieces with this design so it's much easier to clean and assemble (and remember when you're running late for work and throwing all your stuff in the bag to get out the door). The tote is great! I carry it with me all day as my purse and pump tote. No one knows the difference. There isn't much extra space if you use cooler too, I have a fridge at work so I don't have to, but its great to have if you need it. It has good suction and can adjust to your comfort level. The time display is awesome so I dont have to time my sessions and I can easily see how long I have left. It also learns how long you normally pump after a few sessions and will automatically cut off after the time is up, but there is a power button so you can turn it off early or back on if you want to go longer. It still works just as well as day one with 2 months of use (5-6 times a day).

As a new mom who has to exclusively pump I've been very inconsistently pleased with this product and wished I had done more research prior to getting a pump. Unfortunately my insurance only partially pays for one pump and this one will have to do. As much as this company is great it only products this pump has failed to live up to my expectations. It is extremely finicky. The parts have to be doubled, tripled, if not checked more sometimes because of improper suction failing to pull milk from the breast. The clip is the worst thing imaginable and should not even exist for how ridiculous it is to try and use. It is nearly impossible to open so you can attach it to your clothing to be more hands free. The best thing about this purchase was the hands free bra that was free with the pump. Unfortunately I did not read reviews and I feel like I'm probably stuck.

I agree with the other reviews that 1) if you bend over using this pump, you can loose milk due to the slit in the suction pump 2) after cleaning and re-assembling the breast-shield connectors it was a hit or miss if the suction would work on the first try- even after replacement I remedied these by squatting instead of bending, and turning the setting to the highest (usually this would create enough suction and it would start working again and I could put it back at normal level after a minute or two). Even with these two flaws I loved it and would recommend the Freestyle. The mobility it gave me was excellent- it being compact and easily wearable. I loved using it while traveling-car & plane tested by me!