VOTE: Medela Pump In Style Advanced Breastpump or Medela Freestyle Hands-Free Double Electric Breast

JVS311

There is a huge price difference in the Medela Pump In Style ($269.99) & the Freestyle ($399.99) at BRU, but I can't really tell the difference between the two.

Is the Freestyle really worth the extra $???

Any advice would be appreciated.

avalovesart

I'm not sure what the difference between the two is, but I have the Medela Pump in Style Advanced and love it. I pump 1-2 times per day and breastfeed the rest of the day.

JVS311

I found this site https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/category/breast-pumps where you can compare the features. Looks like the only main differences are things like display & timer. I dont really think hands free is a big deal.

vigurl

The difference is the small compact nature of the Fresstyle which is about the size of your hand.  You can stick it in any purse or bag.  It hold enough charge for about 4hours of pumping.  Basically you can pump w/o being attached to an outlet.

christina06

I have the frestyle and love it!  The pump is separate from the bag so you can be completely mobile.  Yep - i've walked around the house, washed dishes, etc while pumping.

 Also,, the valves are not paper and can be washed easily.  Also love the soft cups versus the hard flanges with the other medela pumps.  The handsfree clips to the bra are wonderful - I use them while at work and can still type emails, write, answer phone, etc while pumping - so I don't feel like I have to take any unpaid breaks since I'm still technically working.

I've used it while driving to meetings and flying on planes.  Can't say enough wonderful things about it.  I've used it for two kids of 15+ months of breastfeeding each and it's still going strong and plan to use it for #3.

I purchased mine from www.addalittlelove.com for around $300 in 2008. Plus, you can be reimbursed from flex spending or claim on taxes.

christina06

Just checked with the IBCLC medela dealer I mentioned at www.addalittlelove.com and here's the info:

Freestyle #67060--- $298
Pump In Style Advanced (either backpack #57062 or on the go tote bag #57063 model) --- $228
Pump In Style Advanced Metro #57036 --- $258

Swing #67050 --- $127

with free shipping

She can't publish the prices on her website due to medela restrictions.

Geneboat

The freestyle is amazing. I think you can get it for less. Being able to be mobile while pumping is awesome. My time is limited so being able to pump and fold laundry or clean up the kitchen is huge. Like PP I've pumped while driving too.

theboki

christina06:

Just checked with the IBCLC medela dealer I mentioned at www.addalittlelove.com and here's the info:

Freestyle #67060--- $298
Pump In Style Advanced (either backpack #57062 or on the go tote bag #57063 model) --- $228
Pump In Style Advanced Metro #57036 --- $258

Swing #67050 --- $127

with free shipping

She can't publish the prices on her website due to medela restrictions.

 

Thanks for posting this.

MrsJetSet

Also check awaybabyessentials.com I got a really good price on a freestyle there.

SunMoon&Stars

I've used both. The major difference is that the PISA is not hands-free and the Freestyle is. There are other differences that make the Freestyle a little nicer, but it's really the hands-free capability that accounts for the price difference. 

That said, Im told you can have a hands-free experience with  a PISA * IF* you buy a special hands-free pumping bra. Had I known this option existed when I was pumping I would have tried it because I had the PISA first.

Also, setting up the straps on the Freestyle to hold the pumps in place is difficult to learn, but it still beats holding them in place yourself for the whole session.

LittlMissApril

BRU has a 25% off any Medela Pump coupon good tomorrow & Saturday only.

https://trus.imageg.net/graphics/media/trus/041312_DS_RRU_MemberShopping.pdf?csm=261255942&csc=1979220&csa=261370948&csu=1981113&camp=CME:EM041312R%2520RRU%25204/13%2520Member%2520Shopping%2520Event%2520Email

LittleApple

vigurl:

The difference is the small compact nature of the Fresstyle which is about the size of your hand.  You can stick it in any purse or bag.  It hold enough charge for about 4hours of pumping.  Basically you can pump w/o being attached to an outlet.

 You can do this with a PISA too.  The pump takes batteries.  The only difference is that the Freestyle can fit in your purse.  Not sure how useful that is though.  Where you going to store the pump parts and milk afterwards?

I think the PISA is just fine.  I don't think the Freestyle is worth the extra $$$ 

masey13

LittlMissApril:

BRU has a 25% off any Medela Pump coupon good tomorrow & Saturday only.

https://trus.imageg.net/graphics/media/trus/041312_DS_RRU_MemberShopping.pdf?csm=261255942&csc=1979220&csa=261370948&csu=1981113&camp=CME:EM041312R%2520RRU%25204/13%2520Member%2520Shopping%2520Event%2520Email

 

thanks!!

cdc1982

I love the Freestyle.

If you really want to compare them,  go to Medela's website.  You can go to the breastpump page and compare the 2 side by side.  That should help you choose which is best for your needs.  The Freestyle was best for me based on that & I don't regret buying it.

Also, check out prices elsewhere.  I bought through Amazon & it was cheaper than BRU.

cdc1982

LittleApple:

vigurl:

The difference is the small compact nature of the Fresstyle which is about the size of your hand.  You can stick it in any purse or bag.  It hold enough charge for about 4hours of pumping.  Basically you can pump w/o being attached to an outlet.

 You can do this with a PISA too.  The pump takes batteries.  The only difference is that the Freestyle can fit in your purse.  Not sure how useful that is though.  Where you going to store the pump parts and milk afterwards?

I think the PISA is just fine.  I don't think the Freestyle is worth the extra $$$ 

Not true.  The FS is also rechargeable, the PISA is not so you have to keep buying batteries for it if you use that option.  The FS also has an LED Display, hands, timer & session memory.

OP, to reiterate what I said before, definitely check out Medela's website to compare the 2: https://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/compare/463,573  It might help you choose what's best for you!

lili1228

LittleApple:

vigurl:

The difference is the small compact nature of the Fresstyle which is about the size of your hand.  You can stick it in any purse or bag.  It hold enough charge for about 4hours of pumping.  Basically you can pump w/o being attached to an outlet.

 You can do this with a PISA too.  The pump takes batteries.  The only difference is that the Freestyle can fit in your purse.  Not sure how useful that is though.  Where you going to store the pump parts and milk afterwards?

I think the PISA is just fine.  I don't think the Freestyle is worth the extra $$$ 

Also I commute to work using the subway + train so yes, the size did make a difference. Most of my colleagues have older kids so they were so impressed with the Freestyle, since they had used the PISA about 5 years ago. I love the portability and not having to worry about batteries, some lactation rooms on my work campus don't even have an outlet. OP I'd look around online for deals, I got my Freestyle for around $279, no taxes. About a year ago, Target had a $98 deal on the freestyle.

iristony

Are you planning on pumping a lot?  Well, I guess that is always hard to decide now.  I used a PISA with a Simple Wishes pumping bra to make it hands free.  Even friends with the Freestyle preferred this bra to the Freestyle hands free adaptor.  The major difference is that you can charge Freestyle and not be connected to a wall and it is powerful.  The few times I pumped with the PISA at the airport or other places without an outlet and used battery pack, I felt it was not as strong.  I would have loved to have been able to get up from my pump station (in front of computer at home) and walk into kitchen and get a drink or wash dishes while pumping.  But the again, I was an EP for 9 months.   I also had a hospital grade pump for use at home.  I ended up bring my PISA into work on Monday and leaving it there through Friday so I did not have to carry back and forth. 

ilovebijou

I'd also consider the Hygeia Enjoye LDI. It was designed by someone from Medela and you can use the Medela bottles with the unit. It has a rechargable battery so you can just charge it and walk around with the unit and use a hands free bra. It has a 3 year warranty compared to the 1 year Medela warranty and has a 21 day return policy. I like it better than my Medela PIS.