Breast pumps - who has used the Freestyle?

[teresawe]

errsbear11 I can only speak from personal experience, they say breastfeeding is natural and that gives the impression it should just fall together beautifully. It didn't happen that way for me and my first. It was a tough experience. So with my second I made the goal to be successful at breastfeeding for the first year. I went to a breastfeeding class before giving birth and called a pediatric lactation specialist when baby was 4 days old. It was the best thing I did.
Moral of the story, find a lactation consultant you like and trust before baby arrives, join a local breast feeding support group, watch videos like the Breast Crawl and how to hand express your milk. There is a Facebook group called the LeakyBoob that was a good source for me. Also, take it one day at a time. No matter how any baby is fed: formula, breast milk or a combo, as long as they are fed and Mom is taking care of herself is all that matters. 

[Byefelecia85]

My insurance covers the madela freestyle as well.. I had supply problems with both of my children along with flat nipples, but that isn't going to stop me from giving it all I've got again this time around!

[Byefelecia85]

Jan 25, 2015 21:38:20 GMT -5 yelah250 said:

I'm starting my research on breast pumps...the second most important baby purchase (to me) behind the carseat. LOL.  The pump and I will be fast friends for quite a while so it's very important to me.  Anyways, when my daughter was born 8.5 years ago I had the Medela Pump in Style Advanced.  I used it through both my kids and it worked really well.  (I gave it away hence me being in the market for a new one)  The big con with it was the size. I'm an itinerant teacher and pumped in my car while driving between schools.  This worked out well for me so I plan on doing that again.

I have my eye on the Freestyle as it's smaller and looks like it will be easier for hands free pumping (which is obviously what I'm doing when I'm driving lol) but it seems to run on batteries which means less power.  I definitely want something that plugs in.  Anyways, anyone with experience with the Freestyle?  I'd love to hear opinions or experiences.

Or - what pump are you looking at and why?

m.target.com/p/medela-9-volt-vehicle-lighter-adaptor/-/A-10762137?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=10762137&CPNG=Baby&kpid=10762137&LID=9pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=10762137&kpid=10762137&gclid=CN-JzbftssMCFZABaQodpyAA7g

[360blessings]

I never noticed a difference between being plugged in or not. I've owned both a pump in style advanced and a freestyle. Both were similar in function and I did the rubberband trick while pumping in the car when using either pump. Also used the cigarette lighter adapter (I think I was able to use this - same voltage with my freestyle, but it's been a while). Freestyle definitely took up less room though and seemed more portable. My work now provides nursing rooms and the medela hospital grade pumps, so I was able to stop using my personal pump with my youngest for quite a while. I tried using the soft shells, and I did find the fairly comfortable, but I needed the larger size ones anyway (based on nipple size not breast size by the way). Those are really interchageable, so not a huge deal. And the freestyle does plug in with an AC adapter.

[Deleted]

This is such a helpful thread!

I hate carrying a lot of bags on the way to work (20 min subway ride and half mile walk). Does the pump itself need to be cleaned a lot? I'm wondering if I can buy two of whatever is heaviest, and leave one at the office so I'm not trucking it back and forth. Or just rely on a cheaper or hand pump when at home if I'm not using it at home a lot? Did anyone else deal with this issue, or is everyone a car commuter?

[yelah250]

Jan 27, 2015 14:30:58 GMT -5 @officedronette said:

This is such a helpful thread!

I hate carrying a lot of bags on the way to work (20 min subway ride and half mile walk). Does the pump itself need to be cleaned a lot? I'm wondering if I can buy two of whatever is heaviest, and leave one at the office so I'm not trucking it back and forth. Or just rely on a cheaper or hand pump when at home if I'm not using it at home a lot? Did anyone else deal with this issue, or is everyone a car commuter?

The pump (motor) doesn't need cleaned but the attachments do. You can buy an extra set of attachments or you can bring special steamer bags to work to sterilize your parts each time after you pump.

Medela Quick Clean Micro-Steam Bags - 2 Pack(each pack contains 5 bags) www.amazon.com/dp/B00D2WFBC0/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_xH-Xub1ZF13JH
www.amazon.com/dp/B00D2WFBC0/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_xH-Xub1ZF13JH

[yelah250]

Jan 27, 2015 14:30:58 GMT -5 @officedronette said:

This is such a helpful thread!

I hate carrying a lot of bags on the way to work (20 min subway ride and half mile walk). Does the pump itself need to be cleaned a lot? I'm wondering if I can buy two of whatever is heaviest, and leave one at the office so I'm not trucking it back and forth. Or just rely on a cheaper or hand pump when at home if I'm not using it at home a lot? Did anyone else deal with this issue, or is everyone a car commuter?

Apparently I have more to say...I'd probably go w/ the freestyle and transport it (because it's lightweight). Unless $ is no issue...you will probably pump consistently at home at least 1/day to keep up with your childs daycare bottle needs. Typically women pump after their first feed of the day because that's when they have the most milk.

[valigrl21]

Jan 27, 2015 14:30:58 GMT -5 @officedronette said:

This is such a helpful thread!

I hate carrying a lot of bags on the way to work (20 min subway ride and half mile walk). Does the pump itself need to be cleaned a lot? I'm wondering if I can buy two of whatever is heaviest, and leave one at the office so I'm not trucking it back and forth. Or just rely on a cheaper or hand pump when at home if I'm not using it at home a lot? Did anyone else deal with this issue, or is everyone a car commuter?

With my oldest, I took a train + walked a mile to work, so I understand not wanting a lot of bags! The pump itself never (or rarely) needs to be cleaned. The parts all come off and that's what you will want to wash.

I always have a huge supply in the morning, so I get up early with LO for a dream feeding, then take a shower, put on makeup, do hair, pump while I eat breakfast and then usually squeeze in one more feed once baby is awake/before going to work. For me, I can usually get double the output in the morning feed than I do during the day. So for me, having a pump at home has totally been worth it. But I don't know that you NEED to.

[yelah250]

valigrl21 - that's pretty typical of what most women do, especially once their baby is sleeping longer stretches at night.

[valigrl21]

Jan 27, 2015 14:30:58 GMT -5 @officedronette said:

This is such a helpful thread!

I hate carrying a lot of bags on the way to work (20 min subway ride and half mile walk). Does the pump itself need to be cleaned a lot? I'm wondering if I can buy two of whatever is heaviest, and leave one at the office so I'm not trucking it back and forth. Or just rely on a cheaper or hand pump when at home if I'm not using it at home a lot? Did anyone else deal with this issue, or is everyone a car commuter?

Also, as a funny story since you will be commuting - quite a few times I bumped my bag with my pump in it and shortly after heard "womp womp womp womp" because I had hit the "on" button and it was pumping away in my bag. lol.

[yelah250]

There are also backpack options for people who have lots to carry. If I don't go with the freestyle, I'll get the backpack carrier for the pump in style.

[yelah250]

I guess it's unacceptable to pump on the train, right? Lol

[bosco213]

I did a lot of research between the two as well, and I'm still undecided. Reviews of the freestyle say the battery pack doesn't give enough power so I'm leaning towards the PISA.

I read a couple reviews on Amazon that said their supply tanked with the Freestyle so that's my biggest concern, even though I love the option to use a battery and its smaller, etc.

I just don't know yet!

[Deleted]

Jan 27, 2015 14:37:13 GMT -5 yelah250 said:

Jan 27, 2015 14:30:58 GMT -5 @officedronette said:

This is such a helpful thread!

I hate carrying a lot of bags on the way to work (20 min subway ride and half mile walk). Does the pump itself need to be cleaned a lot? I'm wondering if I can buy two of whatever is heaviest, and leave one at the office so I'm not trucking it back and forth. Or just rely on a cheaper or hand pump when at home if I'm not using it at home a lot? Did anyone else deal with this issue, or is everyone a car commuter?

Apparently I have more to say...I'd probably go w/ the freestyle and transport it (because it's lightweight). Unless $ is no issue...you will probably pump consistently at home at least 1/day to keep up with your childs daycare bottle needs. Typically women pump after their first feed of the day because that's when they have the most milk.

Very helpful information!!

Money is not a non-issue, but especially if insurance will pay for one pump, if it makes my life easier, I should be able to throw a few hundred dollars at that particular problem.  

valigrl21  That's so funny.  I can totally imagine me doing that (and also probably not figuring out that I was the source of the noise and just being irritated and confused).  

[yelah250]

Jan 27, 2015 14:46:48 GMT -5 bosco213 said:

I did a lot of research between the two as well, and I'm still undecided. Reviews of the freestyle say the battery pack doesn't give enough power so I'm leaning towards the PISA.

I read a couple reviews on Amazon that said their supply tanked with the Freestyle so that's my biggest concern, even though I love the option to use a battery and its smaller, etc.

I just don't know yet!

I basically got the same gist. So I was wondering if the freestyle was as powerful as the PIS when plugged in - I wouldn't use the battery pack very often. The jury is still out for me.

[yelah250]

Jan 27, 2015 14:47:07 GMT -5 @officedronette said:

Jan 27, 2015 14:37:13 GMT -5 yelah250 said:

Apparently I have more to say...I'd probably go w/ the freestyle and transport it (because it's lightweight). Unless $ is no issue...you will probably pump consistently at home at least 1/day to keep up with your childs daycare bottle needs. Typically women pump after their first feed of the day because that's when they have the most milk.

Very helpful information!!

Money is not a non-issue, but especially if insurance will pay for one pump, if it makes my life easier, I should be able to throw a few hundred dollars at that particular problem.  

valigrl21  That's so funny.  I can totally imagine me doing that (and also probably not figuring out that I was the source of the noise and just being irritated and confused).  

Trust me when I say you will know the noise. The unmistakable rhythmic milk machine sound is unforgettable when you are hooked up to it as often as you will be as a working mom. Lol

[yelah250]

I had 3 sets of all parts and stashed one in my car, one at home, and one at my office. I had the cleaning bags at home and office so I could clean immediately after I pumped. Don't forget you will be carrying a cooler of milk as well so perhaps having 2 pumps would be the best option for you, @officedronette. I'd get the Pump in Style if that's the case. Solid and powerful, less expensive. You wouldn't really need the "pros" of the lightweight freestyle since you wouldn't be transporting it.

Eta: that's my unsolicited advice for the day. Lol

[valigrl21]

Jan 27, 2015 14:49:59 GMT -5 yelah250 said:

Jan 27, 2015 14:47:07 GMT -5 @officedronette said:

Very helpful information!!

Money is not a non-issue, but especially if insurance will pay for one pump, if it makes my life easier, I should be able to throw a few hundred dollars at that particular problem.  

valigrl21  That's so funny.  I can totally imagine me doing that (and also probably not figuring out that I was the source of the noise and just being irritated and confused).  

Trust me when I say you will know the noise. The unmistakable rhythmic milk machine sound is unforgettable when you are hooked up to it as often as you will be as a working mom. Lol

Your boobs will recognize the sound

[mollykinnz]

I bit the bullet and ordered the freestyle, it was on sale for a really good price and I did some major research between the 2. Hopefully it will work good!

I know I ordered it early but it's one of those big purchases that I wanted to just get out of the way!

[0ashley]

Just another idea to throw out. Pick the pump you like best, and you can always buy an adapter to convert the wall plug to your car cigarette lighter outlet.

I used the PISA last time, but I agree, is wasn't great using batteries.

[360blessings]

I used the medela quick clean wipes while at work if I didnt' have access to a sink. I never used the steam bags...well maybe 6 times after my first son, but that quickly got old. But I'd wipe clean and then clean/sterilize at home. And we nursed while at home, but I did take my pump to/from so I could pump on my drive in to work. Otherwise, if you really need to pump at home, I'd maybe try and get by with a manual Medela harmony as a backup for when you are engorged.