World Breastfeeding Week

– Prevent painful engorgement which can lead to mastitis
– Provide breast milk for a hospitalized or sick baby
– Stimulate relactation or induce lactation in an adoptive mother

Source: What to Expect the First Year

I hope you’ve been following my series A Tale of Two Boobs. If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know that I made it my mission to breastfeed with Reid after I gave up too easily with Ryder. And while I’ve been successfully breastfeeding for 73 days (yes, I counted), it hasn’t always been easy – and I’m sure 99% of breastfeeding moms will say the same thing.

But there are ways to make it more manageable. My holy trinity? Determination (check), seeking the right help early on (check) and a high quality breast pump (check). And I LOVE my breast pump.

I was very fortunate to receive the Medela Freestyle hands free breast pump for review. For those in the know, this is the Cadillac of breast pumps. The Freestyle is Medela’s first hands-free, double-electric pump.

Features include:

– Daily use · double pump · electric
– True pumping mobility with hands-free option
– Rechargeable battery and ultra-lightweight motor
– Easy interaction with digital display, memory, timer and backlight
– More milk in less time with 2-Phase Expression technology
– Everything mom needs in a convenient bag – perfect for active moms
– Double pumping kit features SoftFit breastshields for massaging comfort
– All parts that come into contact with breastmilk are BPA/DEHP Free

Click here to see all the goodies that are included with the Freestyle.

Before I left the hospital, nurses suggested that I get my hands on a hospital grade breast pump to help stimulate my milk flow. Their recommendation? The Medela Symphony, of course. Even though I knew I had the Freestyle at home, I took their advice because I didn’t want to do anything to derail my efforts. I rented the Symphony for a week and figured I would take it from there.

At the end of the week, I was hesitant to let it go. My breast milk had come in fast and furious, and I credit pumping sessions with the Symphony for increasing my supply. However, when I compared the features of the two pumps, I realized that the Freestyle was on a level playing field due to it’s 2-Phase Expression Technology and Maximum Comfort Vacuum. So I said goodbye to the Symphony, ready to start a close relationship with the Medela Freestyle.

All I can say is WOW. The Freestyle is without doubt the answer to my prayers. Comfortable, easy to use and an expert at drawing out breast milk, I discovered with glee that I could express four (4) ounces of milk in just under ten minutes. Why I love it:

1. After sterilizing all the parts, I literally skimmed the instructions once before I was able to start pumping. It’s really that simple. The LCD screen and settings are clear and well placed. The memory button allows me to save my favourite pumping pattern for ease and efficiency for the next pumping session.

2. The Medela Freestyle is beyond comfortable. The pumping action very closely resembles the baby’s natural sucking rhythm thanks to the 2-Phase Expression. Babies change the way they suckle at a mother’s breast during breastfeeding. Initially, they suck rapidly to stimulate the milk ejection reflex (MER) and induce milk “let-down”. This phase is referred to as “Stimulation”. Once the milk starts flowing, they settle into a more relaxed sucking speed. This phase is called “Expression”. Medela pioneered this technology with the Symphony, and now this innovation is available in the three further models – the Freestyle, Pump in Style Advanced and Swing.

3. The pump is a champion. With electric double pumping action, it literally takes me less time to express a 4 oz feed than it would take me to wash, sterilize and prepare a bottle using powdered formula. And there is nothing more satisfying than seeing those bottles fill up with nourishment manufactured by mommy!

4. It’s tiny. The breast pump unit honestly fits into every purse I own – and the palm of my hand. Perfect for working mommies, when travelling, or even at home (who wants to have a huge contraption in the corner of a room?) And while it’s not whisper quiet, you can definitely carry on a normal conversation, watch TV, or even have baby sleep next to you while pumping (I find the rhythmic sounds actually help to calm Reid).

5. The Medela Freestyle has helped keep me sane. I can now leave the house for a few hours, knowing that there will be breast milk on hand for Reid. And, for those times that he cluster feeds throughout the night, daddy can administer a feeding thanks to frozen and thawed breast milk that I’ve previously pumped (my freezer is stocked with a 2-3 day supply – particularly handy for emergencies or just in case of illness).

At $400 the breast pump is not inexpensive (Cadillacs never are). Here’s my advice – rent the Symphony while you determine if breastfeeding works for you. The Symphony is the only breast pump which allows multiple users – all other pumps (including the Freestyle) are single user only. Therefore if you purchase the Freestyle off the bat and don’t follow through, you could be out a chunk of change.

HOWEVER, if breastfeeding is a go and you plan on expressing milk on a frequent basis – you don’t have to think twice. The PTPA Award Winning Medela Freestyle is for you. It is 100% Lena-Approved! Click here to learn more about this revolutionary product.

I am so very lucky to have received this item for review – and I’m happy to share some of that luck with you!

August 1st through 7th happens to be World Breastfeeding Week, and to celebrate, I’m giving away a Medela Freestyle (value $400)!

Prize includes: Attractive tote bag, Hands-Free Kit, 2 bra adapters, 2 replacement bra adapters – universal, 2 replacement bra adapters – hook & eye, Support belt & extension, 2 – 24 mm SoftFit breastshields, Breastshield Spare Parts Kit, 2 breastshield bodies; 2 membranes; 2 back caps, 1 set of tubing, 4 – 5 oz breastmilk bottles, lids & travel cap, Wide base slow flow nipple, Rechargeable lithium-ion battery, Power cord & charger, Contoured ice pack, Removable cooler carrier, Instructions & quick start card, Breastfeeding Information Guide