Car & Caboodle: Medela Freestyle: Everyone, please give a hand for hands-free pumping!

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Medela Freestyle: Everyone, please give a hand for hands-free pumping!

Baby Gear, Car Accessories | Share Your Opinion

June 16, 2008

As I write this review, I am actually pumping with Medela's newest and only hands-free double electric breastpump, the Freestyle. You can actually kick back and relax as you pump - or strap it on and walk around (but it would be more effective to do this at home in private). Or take it on the road with you. It comes with a cute tote and the parts are so small. We are going to Montreal this summer on a road trip, so the Freestyle will be coming along with me. The vehicle adapter (use Medela 12V Vehicle Lighter Adapter (#67153) is extra, but the motor is so strong, even when it runs on its rechargeable battery power. It is the easiest breastpump I've ever used (I've tried my fair share) and the set up time is so much quicker (I mean with attaching the parts to the unit before your pump). As always, I love their "Two Phase" Expression technology.

The Freestyle comes with a kit to make it hands-free, a pump motor that is about the size of your hand, two SoftFit breast shields, a cooler bag, connection tubes and a tote bag to fit it all into. The hands-free kit works great (but looks a little odd). I liked it and once I figured out how to put it together... The motor fit in the palm of my hand and was powerful. My only wish that it was quieter. But since the pump motor was so portable, I can deal with a little noise. You can adjust your speed and suction quickly (and with one hand). It will even remember your settings. Click here to see a video about how the Freestyle works.

The hands-free kit was designed to attach to your bra (they give you a few types of straps with different clasps to attach to your bra). They give you detailed directions on how to use the straps - which did work well once I set it up. . You can clip the motor unit to the belt that comes with the kit. Once I learned how to attach everything, it was quicker to use it in subsequent times.

I adored the SoftFit breast shields (but PLEASE Medela - start making it in sizes larger than 24 mm). They're a big improvement to the previous Medela breast shields I've used and I feel I got more milk expressed because of the soft massaging action! If you are using this away from home, you can use their Quick Clean Wipes to clean the breastshields, valves and membranes.

I also loved that Medela consulted with moms on this product. “Creating Freestyle was a totally mom-focused process because we wanted it to be user-friendly and appealing, as well as hand-held and technologically superior,” said Medela's manager of industrial design, Jill Solberg. “We know moms juggle so many things, from parenting and working to managing the household and social commitments. So we made Freestyle easy to use as well as ergonomic, so you can hold it and use the buttons one-handed. And it was input from our mom focus groups that inspired us to add features like a structured waist belt, backlit display and built-in timer.”

Features:

Hands-free accessories
Rechargeable battery — allows for 3 hours of pumping time per charge
Small and lightweight — weighs less than 1 pound and can fit in the palm of your hand
2-Phase Expression^® technology — smart and powerful pumping that is proven to mimic a baby’s natural nursing pattern and get more milk in less time
LCD screen, digital display — lit screen provides a digital display that can also be used as a nightlight for those late pumping sessions
Memory button — allows mom to save her favorite pumping pattern for ease and efficiency for the next pumping session
Cute tote bag — holds pumping essentials and more. All of the coordinating accessories are removable, so you can use the tote separately.

Click here to find a retailer that carries the Medela Freestyle.