One product that I was really excited to try with my third baby is the Freemie. The Freemie is a completely different kind of milk collection system, where everything fits into your bra. Here is my Freemie review.
Most pumping systems have three major parts – a breast shield (or flange) that fits over your nipple, a pumping mechanism (breast shield connector, membrane/valve, etc.), and then a bottle that the milk is collected in. The Freemie has the same three things, but instead of being pumped into a bottle, the milk flows into a collection cup that surrounds the breast shields and pumping mechanism. Everything fits into a cup that you can put in your bra.
This is really pretty cool. You don’t need a hands-free pumping bra – you can just put the collection cups in your bra and you’re all set. Also, I have never really enjoyed having bottles hanging off of my chest, so this is a nice change!
However …. the Freemie manufacturer advertises that you can “pump anywhere, in front of anyone” with your shirt on using these cups. In fact, the box shows a woman chopping vegetables while pumping (well, presumably she’s pumping – I’m not sure why else there would have been a lady chopping vegetables on a box of pumping equipment – but you can’t tell, either way).
I am not sure that it is entirely as easy and freewheeling as they make it sound. First, in terms of pumping in front of anyone – yes, you can definitely do that. Just to be clear, though, it’s not like no one will know what you are doing. The collection cups are rather large, so it’s obvious that you’ve stuffed your bra with something. Additionally, you have to actually be attached to the pump itself, which means that you have tubing coming out of the top of the collection cups, and you’d have to thread that back down through your bra so that it can be connected to the pump from the bottom of your shirt. And, of course, there is still the sound of the pump.
So you can pump in front of anyone, but you can also do that with a nursing cover and a hands-free bra. I would say this is a bit more discreet than that, but not enough to close the sale for me.
To me, the benefit is more one of a better design. It’s easier to type on a laptop or bottle-feed a baby if you don’t have two giant bottles hanging off of your chest – being able to have the cups more securely attached and out of the way inside your bra is much better. Your range of motion is also a lot less limited, and you don’t have the temptation to constantly check the bottles to see how much you’re pumping – which (for me anyway) adds some stress to a pumping session. Another benefit is that you can recline a bit more with these that you can with normal breast shields.
I had a little trouble pouring the milk out of the collection cups into a bottle the first few times I tried it, so I would suggest practicing with water first. (Tip: Use a normal breast shield as a funnel when you pour breast milk. Just put it into the bottle you’re pouring into, and you’re a lot less likely to spill.)
The collection cups are compatible with the Medela Pump in Style and quite a few other pumps (here is a full list). Freemie also sells a pump that works with the cups.
Have you used Freemie collection cups? Feel free to share your experience!
References- Freemie. https://freemie.com/index.html
- “Freemie Help.” https://freemie.com/pages/freemie-help
Do you have to use it with another pump? I have a medela in style from my first baby, but it is 4 years old at this point… still seems to work, but just want to check that the Freemie will work all on it’s own without another pump if I need it to.
You need a pump of some kind to use it, but Freemie makes a few pumps that you can use with it? If you just get the $60 cups, though, you need another pump. Hope this helps!
Since I got this pump it has been a blessing. I’m not sure why the people above have had so many issues. It doesn’t leak at the bottom, I’ve never had issue with milk going into the tubes. Yes it makes a low humming/vibrating noise when its on. But it really isn’t that loud and easy to ignore. If you pump a lot, and you go to pour, sometime the milk will go up into the duct, but you got to learn how to pour it so it won’t which is easy to do. I work at a desk 9 hours a day. I use this at my desk with ease. When I’m home I take them off unless I’m cooking or doing something that needs my time longer than a few moments. Other wise I just lay with my baby. I’m happy I got this and I have be telling all my new mommie friends to get it.
It is bulky, yes and will make you look a bit like Madonna. When I first put them on that was the first comment I made. “Great I’m Madonna now” And at first it was weird trying to do stuff and hold my baby when they were on. But after a couple of weeks its like they’ve been apart of me this whole time. Just takes getting some use too.
I’m very happy with this product.
Thank you so much for this awesome review!
I love the freemie pump for at work. Cons would be you can hear it and it does make you look like madonna. But if you wear a scarf you cant really tell by looking. It took some time to get use to, before I had the medela pump in style. Which is awesome btw. But I’ve switched to the freemie Independence for the mobility and discretion it provides for work. At home I’ve switched to a silicone pump .. which is prob my favorite.
That’s awesome to hear – I’m glad you like it!
question! If u need different size flanges then what the freemie comes with can you use your flanges that came with the medela? or do they have to be made by freemie?
Thanks!
Hi! They have to be the freemie flanges – the medela ones won’t fit into the freemie cup.
My spectra pump is a closed system that I use with the freemie cups. I’ve only used them a few times before going back to work next week, but I do notice that if I pump more than a few ounces the duck bill valve sits in milk. Once I empty my freemie cup into a bottle, there is milk left in the space where the tubes attach and I get condensation in the freemie tubes. I run my pump longer to remove the condensation, but my concern is that for my next pump session at work, leftover milk will backup into the freemie tubes. Has this been a concern for anyone else?
Are you using the original freemie cups or the closed system cups?
Good for when your up in the middle of the night and tired, But IT LEAKS OUT OF THE BOTTOM, GETS ON BRA OR NIGHT SHIRT! UGH, NEEDS A RUBBER SEAL! Wish there were other styles with seals.
I have the freedom and madela pump in style. I pump more with the Medela than the freemie.
I love/hate this product. The freemie is comfortable but the milk gets in the tubes and then in the pump. Very disappointed.
I’ve had that happen once, and it was because I didn’t have the parts inside positioned right. Double check everything, make sure you’re not leaning back too far, and it shouldn’t get in the tubes.
I have the same exact problem once I hit 2 ounces the milk goes in the tubes this pump sucks! I’m so dissaponted
Do you guys have the 40 dollar cups or the 80 dollar ones? The open system cups do have this issue. Closed system does not. That’s why its twice the price. If your closed system cups are doing this then you may be using them incorrectly and should consult a video or manual.