How Medela Supports Mothers in their Feeding Journey
This post is sponsored by Medela. Thank you for supporting the brands that support this blog.
When I was pregnant with Aimery, I had high expectations for breastfeeding. Like many first time moms, I had a plan for how I wanted to feed my baby, and I wanted to stand by it. Well, after I had Aimery, I had to accept that my plan was quickly changing. For me, it meant giving up my idea of exclusive breastfeeding, and turning to breast pumping for six months after Aimery was born.Now that I am preparing for baby #2, I am much more flexible with my feeding plan, knowing that fed is best. I genuinely believe that every mom has to do what is best for themselves and their baby! Being a working mom, pumping works best for my lifestyle, as it allows me to produce milk for my baby while going about my life. I had the opportunity to attend #BlogHer20 Parenting’s Bye Bye Balance and Hello Work-Life panel, and I was given so much insight and encouragement on going back to work postpartum. I was also able to hear from the founder of The Pump Station & Nurtury™, Corky Harvey MS, RN, IBCLC on how the Freestyle Flex breast pump by Medela was made with moms in mind. I can not believe how far breast pumps have come since I was pumping for Aimery years ago!
Freestyle Flex is the newest breast pump from Medela, and offers active moms flexibility when it comes to pumping! The Freestyle Flex has a light, compact, and portable design that offers true mobility when pumping several times a day - whether at home or work. Can you believe we live in a world where breast pumps are now weighing less than 1 pound? This allows for easy access in a pocket, purse, or baby bag. Not only does it have a touchscreen display, but it includes a USB rechargeable battery, with up to a 2-hour pumping life that allows mothers to pump whenever it works best for us. I already know that this pump is going to allow me the flexibility to work, travel, and reach my goals while still having the opportunity to pump!
My favorite feature of the Freestyle Flex is that it connects easily via Bluetooth to the MyMedela app to track pump sessions. Long gone are the days of tracking my milk into my notes or writing everything down! Medela also adjusted the breast shields to offer a four-way comfortable fit to adapt to the mother’s natural shape - by doing so, added 11% more milk per minute then while using traditional shields. That is something a lot of moms struggle with, since the traditional shields don’t always work for every breast! To get the most successful pumping experience, Medela created the 2-Phase Expression™ technology to mimic baby’s natural sucking rhythms, to get you the most milk during each pumping session.
You may have also wondered how Medela’s Symphony breast pump compares to the new, Freestyle Flex! That was my number one question when starting my pump research. Symphony is a multi-user breast pump designed for use in hospitals to build supply and maintain. The Freestyle Flex is a personal-use breast pump, designed to support a single user. The Symphony is best for moms who need extra support with their breast milk supply, whereas Freestyle Flex is best for moms who have established their breast milk supply. The Freestyle Flex also features design elements that make it ideal for a mom who loves to move, or may have other little ones to run after! Great for second-time moms, like me!
The Freestyle Flex is easily available at major retailers, including Amazon, Target, Buy Buy Baby, and Walmart. Did you know that some insurance companies allow moms to purchase a pump of their choice at retail stores and will reimburse that amount? Be sure to check with your plan provider to find out which breast pumps are offered on your current plan. Freestyle Flex is also currently available through Aeroflow, Yummy Mummy, Acelleron, 1 Natural Way, Ashland Breast Pumps, Cygnus Lactation, and Medsource. Also, FSA/HSA funds may also be used!
Looking for more resources when it comes to breast pumping? The Moms’ Room by Medela is an exclusive place for mothers to find the right information and resources you need for breastfeeding tips. For mothers who plan to return to work after having a baby, New Moms’ Healthy Returns by Medela, Mamava, and Milk Stork is there to support you in the workplace. Last, download the MyMedela app to help you achieve your pumping goals! I believe that all of these resources will assist mothers in their feeding journey, and love that Medela supports mothers in every way possible!