Will I be disappointed with Medela Freestyle's power?

[IndiaInk]

I'm considering which breast pump to choose through my insurance and considering the Freestyle for the portability factor.  I have a Hygeia from my first baby and I like it okay, but thought I might like a more portable option this time around for the days I'm traveling or for the convenience of being able to move around while pumping since I'm also caring for my 2.5 year old as well as the baby. 

I'm concerned about motor strength though, since it's battery powered.  Can anyone speak to how it compares to the AC adapter powered pumps in terms of strength? Some online reviews have got me worried. 

To note: 

• I only work part time, from home, so I'll only need to pump enough for part time daycare bottles and other outings.
  
• The other top contenders available to me are: Spectra S2 or PISA
  

[Ashley&Scott]

I loved my Freestyle. It was still going strong when I stopped pumping for #1 so I'm planning to use it this time around too.

[pooh8402]

I don't think you will. I rotated between the Symphony (provided at work), PISA (mine, provided by my insurance), and Freestyle (borrowed from a friend). All Medela. I liked them all. The Symphony was top notch for keeping my supply up, but I would say the Freestyle and PISA were about equal in their ability to drain my breasts. Of course, I LOVED the portability of the freestyle; so convenient. It is technically designed to clip onto your pants but a) the clip falls off and b) it's heavy enough that it drags down the waistband of your pants. I would tuck it in my pants. The Freestyle uses different parts than the other two, and they are designed that you don't have to replace the valve membranes every few weeks!

My friend used her Freestyle exclusively and she never had any complaints about it.

[Velar Fricative]

I really liked my Freestyle but I had supply issues so I figured maybe I should try something else (plus, I'm not longer commuting by mass transit so portability isn't as crucial right now). The only other pump I had tried was a Symphony which yielded no increase in input but worked in half the time (but you can't tuck a Symphony in your pants and walk around with it). I got a PISA this time around to see if there's a different, but I really had no issues with the Freestyle and I'm pretty certain my supply issues were unrelated to the pump itself.

[Velar Fricative]

Jan 4, 2017 13:34:50 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

I don't think you will. I rotated between the Symphony (provided at work), PISA (mine, provided by my insurance), and Freestyle (borrowed from a friend). All Medela. I liked them all. The Symphony was top notch for keeping my supply up, but I would say the Freestyle and PISA were about equal in their ability to drain my breasts. Of course, I LOVED the portability of the freestyle; so convenient. It is technically designed to clip onto your pants but a) the clip falls off and b) it's heavy enough that it drags down the waistband of your pants. I would tuck it in my pants. The Freestyle uses different parts than the other two, and they are designed that you don't have to replace the valve membranes every few weeks!

My friend used her Freestyle exclusively and she never had any complaints about it.

Yes, this. It would pull down my pants if I clipped it to my waist no matter what I was wearing. It's light, but not *that* light.

[lishie]

I loved my freestyle. I had a PISA with DS1 and got the Freestyle with DS2. I preferred the freestyle and would recommend it no question.

[AmyRI]

Freestyle's suction is just as good as my PISA, even when the battery is about to die. I love the Freestyle so much more than the PISA and am glad I had FSA money to burn last year

[anonymous]

i didn't respond to the freestyle but did respond to the symphony and hygeia. and the difference was astounding. my lactation consultant said she'd seen other women with this same problem and always recommended the PISA over the freestyle.

[Pilsy]

IndiaInk, I don't think I knew you were expecting (let alone so soon). Congratulations!!

Glad you asked this. I've been considering a Spectra bc it's so popular on the board, but I'll seriously consider a Freestyle now. I was very happy with my PISA the first time around and have a bunch of extra parts, so I may be lazy and do that again, but if not, the Freestyle is a real contender. You make a great point about portability on account of having an older child.

[IndiaInk]

Jan 4, 2017 20:18:02 GMT -5 Pilsy said:

IndiaInk, I don't think I knew you were expecting (let alone so soon). Congratulations!!

Glad you asked this. I've been considering a Spectra bc it's so popular on the board, but I'll seriously consider a Freestyle now. I was very happy with my PISA the first time around and have a bunch of extra parts, so I may be lazy and do that again, but if not, the Freestyle is a real contender. You make a great point about portability on account of having an older child.

Thank you! Yes, I'm torn between a Spectra and the Freestyle but this is making me really lean towards the more portable one.

Thanks for the input everyone!

[FoxInFiji]

I had two Freestyles with DD1 and loved them! I had no issues with supply or being fully drained and only had to charge them once a week. Plugged in or not the suction was the same. The portability was amazing. I traveled with them for work and being small, light weight, and battery powered made the Freestyle the best choice by far. On a more daily use I would pump every morning as I was getting ready and set the pump on my vanity or in my robe pocket as I prepped my work bags. I also really loved that it has a digital display and used that as my timer at each session.

The pump parts are much easier to clean and don't wear out like the PISA. The membrane is a large piece. Hot Tip: if you do get a Freestyle make sure you have the flower attachment for the Boon Lawn (if you have one). The membranes hang perfectly between the petals and make it easy to grab and go in the morning.

[niki]

I had the Freestyle for babies 1 and 2 and it was great. I used it multiple times a day and got great output. I have the Spectra for #3 and being chained to a wall is so frustrating. Get the Freestyle and rejoice in being able to move around while pumping.