Medela Freestyle Hands-free Breast Pump review: 'I could forget I was wearing it!'

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How we tested

Our parent-tester Charlotte used the Medela Freestyle Hands-free Breast Pump once a day over four weeks. During this time she took extensive testing notes to rate the pump for a number of factors including comfort, durability, practicality, discretion and value for money.

She then provided an overall verdict on how well the pump fit into her day-to-day life as well as on trips abroad during the testing period.

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The Medela Freestyle: what's included in the box?

The pump comes with eight parts in total, a charging cable, power adapter and instructions. The pump also features two sizes of breast shield - 21 mm and 24 mm.

Is the pump easy to set up for first use?

According to Charlotte, the pump was very easy to set up thanks to not having too many parts. 'You have to click the two parts of the collection cups into place when assembling,' she explained. 'The instructions say to make sure you hear the click but I found that even after hearing it I needed to check it was fully clicked together properly by pushing all the way around. One time it hadn't fully clicked in and it leaked a little.'

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How easy were the instructions to follow?

Charlotte found the instructions very clear and detailed with illustrations.

How 'hands-free' is the pump?

'It's completely hands-free,' Charlotte said. 'But you do need to wear something with proper pockets for the motor unit to go in if you're moving around. It does have a loop of string so you could tie it to a belt or loop it over your shoulder, but personally I found this too fiddly.'

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Can you sit comfortably to use the Medela Freestyle pump?

'Yes, it's very comfortable to sit using, no need to lean forward.'

How noisy is the Medela Freestyle breast pump?

'I found it quite loud,' reported Charlotte. 'Loud enough to be disturbing while watching TV. I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it in public or in the office in a shared work space for this reason.'

How does the Medela Freestyle Hands-free compare to other breast pumps?

'Much easier to assemble than other pumps I've tried,' explained Charlotte. 'There are so few parts and it isn't fiddly at all.'

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How do you clean the Medela Freestyle pump?

The pump needs to be hand-washed before sterilising. The instructions then say to air dry which, as Charlotte pointed out, isn't particularly convenient if you're keen to use it quickly. You also can't put the pump in the dishwasher, though you can use microwave steriliser bags, though as Charlotte found, one bag isn't big enough for the entire pump so you either need to use two or the same bag twice.

Can the Medela Freestyle Hands-free pump be used at work?

'I wouldn't use it while working or in meetings,' said Charlotte. 'I work in an office and would worry that the pump's noise would be disturbing. Also, while it mimics the breast shape and fits in a bra it is still quite bulky so does noticeably increase chest size.

'The need to sterilise and air dry before use would also make it tricky to use in an office.'

Overall verdict

While she praised the pump for its levels of comfort and durability, what ultimately lets the Medela Freestyle Hands-free Breast Pump down is its volume and its price. Though it comes with the added reassurance of a trusted breast pump brand name, there's no escaping the fact that the wearable breast pump market has become hugely competitive in recent years, and there are cheaper options available from the likes of Momcozy, Fraupow and Bellababy.

However, if you're not too fussed about the noise and are looking for a wearable breast pump which doesn't leak, is truly hands-free and is so light and comfortable to use that you wouldn't even know you were wearing it, the Medela is certainly one to consider.

About the author

Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor for Mumsnet, specialising in writing, editing and optimising pregnancy and baby care content. As a parent of three primary school-aged children, Jenny is passionate about making Mumsetters' lives easier through rigorous research of all items recommended in reviews, features buyers' guides.

She regularly reviews a wide range of parent-orientated products for Mumsnet, from popular board games to the best pregnancy pillows and top-rated breast pumps.

About Mumsnet reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing – this includes recommendations from the Mumsnet Talk boards. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

All prices correct at time of publication.