Freestyle™ Hands-free Breast Pump

FAQs

• Are Medela pumps safe to use with an implanted cardiac defibrillator?

  The Freestyle Handsfree Breast Pump has passed the required EMC standards for medical devices; however, this testing is not specific to pacemakers. It is recommended that you consult with a licensed healthcare professional. The Medela Harmony® Manual Breast Pump | Medela  is always an option in case there is a concern with using an electric breast pump. Here is also a link with helpful information Devices that May Interfere with ICDs and Pacemakers | American Heart Association.

• Are wearable breast pumps covered under insurance?

  Yes, Freestyle Hands-free will be offered through insurance as an upgrade.

• Do you have control of suction in stimulation and expression?

  Freestyle™ Hands-free is designed with Medela’s research-based 2-Phase™ Expression technology. In both stimulation and expression phases, mom can choose up to 9 levels of vacuum.

• Can I store milk in the collection cups between pump sessions?

  No. It is not recommended to store expressed breast milk within the cups. When a mom has finished pumping, any breast milk expressed should be poured into a milk-safe storage container. 

• How can I clean and dry the tubing?

  The pump features a closed system so milk cannot get into the tube when used as instructed. Do not clean or rinse the inside of the tubing under any circumstances. The exterior of the tubing can be wiped down with a damp cloth if dirty.

• Do you have to be sitting or can you be more active?

  The Freestyle™ Hands-free breast pump features in-bra collection cups for multi-tasking and comes with an internal rechargeable battery, so you don’t have to be plugged into a wall while using. Whether you choose to pump while sitting, walking around or tending to your baby, Freestyle™ Hands-free allows you both options. However, the cups are not designed to be used while bending completely or during intense exercise as there is an opening (pouring spout) at the top of the cups through which milk could spill out.

• Is the Freestyle™ Hands-free breast pump easy to clean?

  With only 3 parts to clean, Freestyle™ Hands-free has been designed to make cleaning easy so you can spend time on more important things. Additionally, all parts are dishwasher-safe.

• Is double pumping more effective?

  Medela researchers found that double pumping obtains 18% more milk on average, compared to single pumping³.

• Can I return Freestyle™ Hands-free if I change my mind?

  Freestyle™ Hands-free is a single-user device. For hygiene and safety reasons, it can only be used by one person. This means that once the tamper seal is broken, you will not be able to return it to us or a retailer unless it is faulty. If you received a faulty or malfunctioning device, please contact the Medela customer service team to see if you are eligible for a warranty replacement.

• How often do I need to clean the Hands-free collection cups?

  Sanitize before first use and once daily, and wash before first use and after each use. Always allow all parts to completely dry on a clean towel.

• How long does the battery last and does it need the original charger?

  Freestyle™ Hands-free comes with a built-in, rechargeable⁴ battery for convenient pumping anywhere you are. Your breast pump can be used on an average for eight 15-minute sessions which gives you about 2 hours of battery life between charges.

• Do you need WiFi to use Freestyle™ Hands-free?

  No, you do not need to be connected to WiFi to use your Freestyle™ Hands-free breast pump. But without WiFi connectivity, app functionality may be limited.  

• Should I connect the app for every session?

  While it is recommended to connect to the app to accurately track your session progress, it is not necessary to connect for every session. If you are unable to connect, the next time you do connect, your breast pump will sync and automatically transfer the offline pumping session data to the app. With this feature, you can feel confident knowing that anytime you use your Freestyle™ Hands-free breast pump, your data is saved and can always be transferred to your app.

• Do I need a special bra to be able to use the hands-free collection cups?

  A special bra is not required when using the Freestyle™ Hands-free collection cups. The cups are designed to fit into most nursing bras.

• When finished pumping, how can I drain the milk from the tunnel into the cups?

  To finish your pumping session, lean forward and ensure all milk from the nipple tunnel enters the collection cups while your pump is still running. Once there is no more milk in the tunnel, stop the pump by pressing the start/pause button.

• How much milk do the hands-free collection cups hold?

  The hands-free collection cups hold 150ml / 5oz of breast milk in each cup.

• What is the weight of the hands-free collection cups?

  The hands-free collection cups weigh 76g.

• When cups are full can you empty them and then keep pumping?

  Yes! When the cups are full, mom can pause the pumping by pressing the play/pause button on the display, pour the expressed milk into a breast milk-safe collection bottle or storage bag and continue her pumping session. Freestyle™ Hands-free collection cups hold 150ml / 5oz of breastmilk each.

• What is the size of the pump?

  • The pump weighs 9.63 oz.  
  • Height: 1.81"
  • Width: 2.64"
  • Length: 5.67"

• I overproduce, does it shut off when the cups are full?

  No, Freestyle™ Hands-free does not shut off automatically when the collection containers are full. However, because of the collection cups’ transparent design and side scale indicator, it’s easy for a mom to monitor how much she has collected during that session and pause pumping if the cups are full.