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Made for on-the-go Moms, the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump is a great option for portable pumping.

SAFETY + HYGIENE | BPA and Lead-Free Parts

Safety for the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump is very similar to other Medela Pumps. The Freestyle has an open design, making it a one-user pump because of the risk of cross-contamination. All parts that come into contact with breast milk are BPA-free, and all parts are lead-free. A great option with Medela parts is the option to use standard-mouth glass bottles instead of the plastic bottles that come with this set.

All parts that come into contact with breast milk are BPA-free, and all parts are lead-free.

The connectors that come with the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump are a little more complicated than the parts that come with the Medela Pump In Style Advanced and Medela Symphony Breast Pump. With a harder to clean design, some moms say they dislike taking everything apart each time to clean and that they have a lot of crevices, upping the chances for hygiene issues.

Medela Freestyle Breast Pump parts

Medela Freestyle Breast Pump parts

One issue that some moms have brought up is that this pump has the tendency to collect black residue over time. Medela states that it is a non-toxic substance that builds up over time after repeated use. It is said to come from the inside of the pump, a buildup from the parts on the inside of the pump. This has only happened to few users and is just a side note. Otherwise, many moms have reported that this isn’t an issue with newer Freestyle pumps.

COMFORT | Includes Two Breast Shield Sizes

There are a few great comfort features that make the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump unique to tradition pumps. This package comes with two different sizes of Personal Fit breast shields, allowing you to pick the best size for your comfort. Breast shield size is extremely important for optimal comfort, and also for the best emptying of breast tissue. Incorrect breast shield size can lead to engorgement issues as well as mastitis and even cause nipple and breast tissue irritation. The Medela website has a great resource for finding your ideal breast shield size.

The most unique feature of the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump is its portability.

The most unique feature of the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump is its portability. For moms that hate sitting still while pumping, the Freestyle makes it possible to move about the house or office without being tied to an outlet by using a battery pack. A portable and stylish microfiber carry bag is also included and is designed specifically for the Freestyle breast pump parts. It also makes it optimal for transporting between point A and point B.

Clips to pants for easy portability

Clips to pants for easy portability

Another big comfort point to mention is the option to use this pump with a hands-free pumping bra (like the Medela Hands-Free Pumping Bra. A hands-free pumping bra is a product that makes the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump portable, so it’s a great tool to have with this pump. Otherwise, you’ll be left constantly holding pumping parts to your chest which can get frustrating very quickly and won’t be able to be mobile with this pump. Another great option that many moms have done is to make your own pumping bra at home by cutting holes in an old sports bra that you are able to fit the breast shields through. Either way, a hands-free bra is a must for your milk’s safety and your comfort!

EASE OF USE | Easy Interface, Difficult Parts

Size

The small size of the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump makes this a perfect portable pump. It’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand but still packs a punch for power. The included belt clip makes it easy to snap onto the pants and use around the house. Also, the portable carry bag is the perfect size to include all your pumping essentials while still having a stylish feel. A great aspect of the Freestyle is that it’s small enough to move to any transport bag you want to carry it with.

It’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand but still packs a punch for power.

Medela Freestyle Breast Pump Size

Performance

Many features of the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump make this unique to other pumps on the market. It comes with a rechargeable battery, and the lightweight motor provides a mobile pumping experience to keep up with a busy lifestyle. However, because it has a smaller motor, the suction and power don’t measure up to higher grade pumps. Also, many users have reported that there’s a lack of power when using the battery pack, making the portable pumping experience obsolete. The rechargeable lithium ion battery pack has a 3-hour battery life and takes 24 hours to recharge. In addition, the lack of suction can cause supply issues, engorgement, and mastitis because the breast tissue isn’t being emptied completely.

Rechargeable Lithium ion battery

Rechargeable Lithium ion battery

It comes with a rechargeable battery, and the lightweight motor provides a mobile pumping experience to keep up with a busy lifestyle.

A few other features that make the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump a great option is the 2-Phase Expression Technology, a popular feature with all Medela breast pumps. The two phases mimic the natural nursing rhythms of your baby. It starts with a faster suction to promote the let-down reflex, and then automatically switches to a deeper suction after one minute. There’s an adjustable knob that lets users adjust for their most comfortable suction setting. 2-Phase Expression Technology is proven to promote more milk expression in less time than just using one setting.

The Medela Freestyle Breast Pump comes with a backlit digital display, timer, and memory button to help personalize and control pumping sessions. The backlit display helps for night pumping, and the memory function allows users to easily return to their favorite pumping pattern without having to readjust every time.

It comes with a backlit digital display, timer, and memory button to help personalize and control pumping sessions.

Accessories that come with the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump include: (2) 24 mm Personal Fit breast shields; (2) 27 mm Personal Fit breast shields; (2) Breast shield connector assemblies; (4) 5 Ounce breastmilk bottles with lids; (1) Tubing set; (1) Rechargeable lithium-ion battery; (1) Microfiber Tote carry bag; (1) Cooler Bag and Ice Pack; (1) 12 Volt AC power adaptor; (1) Instructions for use. This makes it extremely easy to unpack your Freestyle pump and immediately start using it. However, many users state that the pump parts are hard to put together as well as clean. The pump parts for the Freestyle are also very specific to this pump and aren’t interchangeable with other Medela breast pumps.

Medela Freestyle Breast Pump Review

PRICE + DURABILITY | Many Accessories and Great Features

Durability

As far as durability goes, the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump is a great pump, but still has areas where it could be improved on. This is a great pump for moms who want to set aside some extra breastmilk to freeze. Daily and heavy use could take its toll on this pump due to its smaller motor.

This is a great pump for moms who want to set aside some extra breastmilk to freeze.

This pump has been known to lose suction, creating the need to replace parts. Also, pumping power wanes as the battery life gets low. When plugged into a wall, the pump works wonderfully. However, this eliminates the portability feature which is one of the top reasons moms buy this pump.

Price

For the price, the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump comes with a lot of accessories and features. Included in the box are: (1) Freestyle double electric breast pump; (2) 24 mm Personal Fit breast shields; (2) 27 mm Personal Fit breast shields; (2) Breast shield connector assemblies; (4) 5 Ounce breastmilk bottles with lids; (1) Tubing set; (1) Rechargeable lithium-ion battery; (1) Microfiber Tote carry bag; (1) Cooler Bag and Ice Pack; (1) 12 Volt AC power adaptor; and Instructions for use. This is quite the package and allows users to open the box and start pumping.

For the price, the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump comes with a lot of accessories and features.

The unique features like the timer, backlit display, portability, and memory button set the Freestyle apart from other pumps. These special features justify the higher price. But, these features are known to be a little inconsistent, unlike the Medela Pump In Style Advanced which has fewer features, but more consistency for daily use. Yet, this pump would be a great option for moms who want the portability and can’t be tied to a power outlet.

PROS

  • Best for on-the-go pumping
  • Rechargeable battery option
  • Includes all accessories needed to start pumping
  • Unique features like a timer and memory button

CONS

  • Loud motor
  • Poor suction
  • Difficult pumping parts

THE BOTTOM LINE | Best for Light Use

The Medela Freestyle Breast Pump is best for moms who pump only once in a while, not for heavy daily use. It’s also great for moms who need to move around the house and hate being tied to a power outlet. This makes it easier to get chores done and to chase any other babies you might have prowling about the house. However, the parts are hard to clean and replace and users often have issues with the parts creating good suction.

A few unique features make the Medela Freestyle Breast Pump a fun pump to use, and different from many pumps that have standard features. The portability, backlit display, 2-Phase Expression Technology, timer, and memory button set this pump apart from other pumps on the market. In the end, the Freestyle is another great pump created by Medela and is made for a specific group of moms who need a portable and easy transport system.