As a new mom, turns out there was way more about breastfeeding I didn’t know than I did. My son had latching issues and when repeated bouts of thrush kept, well…repeating, I realized my feeding journey was going to look a lot different than I first imagined.
I invested in a breast pump and began exclusively pumping. That’s why I totally appreciate everything the Medela Freestyle Flex Double Electric Breast Pump offers a pumping mama.
The name Freestyle Flex says it all. It’s a travel-sized, breast pump that allows you the flexibility to pump on the go. Designed to be hands-free and small enough to fit inside a pocket, you can pump in the car while running errands, at home catching up on emails, or while caring for your newborn. Medela’s products are based on 50 years of research, so if you’re considering a breast pump, check out our full review below to see if it’s your best breast match. (Get it?)
In this article:
Overview of the Medela Freestyle Flex
This pump was created specifically for moms, because the efficient and handy design actually fits into the palm of your hand.
Here’s how the Medela works: use the small lanyard to attach the pump to your wrist and then turn on the easy-to-use digital display. The Flex has a suction that mimics the sucking rhythm of your baby, so the pump starts out fast and then slows down for more efficient pumping. But you can use the controls to choose from 1 of 9 suction levels to find a mode that works for you.
This breast pump protects your milk with a closed pumping system to prevent breast milk from entering the tubing and the motor. It also comes with an easier-to-use backlit touchscreen, which is very helpful for those middle-of-the-night pumping sessions.
And if you’re a tech lover—or just want to see your pumping in numbers—you can connect to the Medela Family app where you can personalize and track your feeding journey.
Here are the details about this pump:
- Rechargeable via USB port
- Cooler + carrying bag included
- One battery charge lasts 8 pumping sessions
- 2 size flanges included
- App notifies you when your battery is running low
How We Rated This Breast Pump
We rated the Medela Freestyle Flex on the following qualities:
- Suction
- Comfort
- Portability
- Battery
- Ease of use
And we’re happy to say: the Medela gets a star for all 5 categories. This pump really has it all.
Features to Love about the Medela Freestyle Flex Pump
By far, Medela’s Freestyle Flex breast pump’s best feature is how lightweight and portable it is, but here are some of the additional things that I appreciated about this pump.
High ratings all-around
The Medela breast pump brand carries some pretty impressive ratings. For instance, Medela is the #1 recommended breast pump brand by moms and physicians and was voted the most trusted breast pump brand in a survey conducted by Brandspark published by Newsweek.
This particular pump was also named the top breast pump by The Bump website. Across the board, real-life moms really love this pump and remark that the Freestyle Flex is a game-changer because it truly makes pumping less of an inconvenience.
Excellent customer service
One really cool feature of this pump is that when you purchase it, you also get access to customer support to help you on your pumping journey. Their customer service team is available for live online chats on weekdays from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. They also have a 1-800 number for immediate assistance.
Should you have questions specifically for a lactation consultant, you can reach a board-certified lactation consultant by sending an email through Medela’s website.
Cleaning and sanitizing
When you’re ready to wash your Freestyle Flex, rinse off the pumping equipment with drinking quality water and then wash all parts with warm water in “washing-up” liquid. Once you’re done washing, rinse again with drinking quality water.
You can also place the pump parts in the top rack of your dishwasher. When it comes to sanitizing there are several options you can use such as boiling, microwaving, or steaming. The folks at Medela are super thorough on their website with helpful descriptions. However, like all breast pumps, it can be a lot to keep this pump constantly clean—but that’s not really anything new when you’re pumping a lot.
App it up
Like to keep track of all things baby? The Medela Family app allows you to track pumping, breastfeeding, diaper changing, and even sleep schedules. You have your very own personal assistant with this app keeping records of your milk supply and pumping sessions in your breastfeeding log.
You can also access expert tips and find answers to feeding questions using your personal helper. The app is easy to set up and connects to your Freestyle Flex via Bluetooth to record your pumping sessions in real-time.
Insurance help
If you have insurance, you should have some kind of breast pump insurance. To help you figure how much you can get, Medela has an insurance concierge on their website.
Insurance coverage differs according to your personal plan, so if you’re not covered you should know this pump’s price is comparable to other brand name portable pumps on the market.
Before You Buy
This pump comes with two different-sized flanges (21mm and 24mm), but they may not be your best fit. If the flanges included don’t provide good suction or aren’t comfortable, it could affect the amount of milk you pump. You might need to invest in a different size to find some that works.
You should also know this pump can take some time to clean with all its pieces, but once you get your system down cleaning and sanitizing becomes an easy habit.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Quiet design
Hands-free
Pause button
Cons
Cleaning can be tricky
Included flanges might not be right fit
No long lanyard or clip to attach the pump
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a trusted brand of breast pump that combines the best of suction, comfort, and lightweight hands-free pumping, the Medela Freestyle Flex is definitely a pump you can’t go wrong with.
There are other similar pumps on the market that are lightweight and hands-free, like the Baby Buddha pump, but Medela is a brand that really knows what they’re doing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Freestyle Flex a hospital grade pump?
The Freestyle Flex has 9 different suction settings, but is not hospital grade. Medela does make a hospital grade pump, but that pump is larger and not portable.
Is the Medela Freestyle Flex hands-free?
It’s hands-free when used with a nursing bra and properly charged. Bending over while pumping can be tricky because this can cause the milk you’re pumping to spill, but otherwise, you’re good to go while you’re on the go.
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