Swing Maxi or Freestyle

I had received several emails to advise on whether to buy Medela Freestyle or Medela Swing Maxi.  Honestly, if you ask me I would tell you to get Freestyle.  Simple because I had never used Swing Maxi.  Bahahaha.  Did you see that coming?  OK lame joke.

Swing Maxi - Photo courtesy of Medela from here

Freestyle - Photo courtesy of Medela from here

So, which one should you get?  Really?  I suppose it really depends on your preference.  If you want to read technical details, you can read from Medela's website, from the link I put as caption for the above photos.  But, if you need me to summarize how both are different, with my own knowledge of the product, you can read on, ya?  Mind you, I have never tried Swing Maxi, so performance-wise, I won't be able to advise you.  Though I must tell you that I used the single pump Swing before and Alhamdulillah, other than the fact that it was a single pump and it delayed my pumping session, I had no problem with the pump at all.  

Here's some info, for our knowledge sharing.  For professional advice, I suggest you contact Medela or its registered vendor.  

# Price: In Malaysian Ringgit, Swing Maxi is a couple of hundreds cheaper.  I won't put up prices here since price varies according to seller. 
 

# Parts: The only similarities to the parts will be the breastshield, and the type of motor they use.
 

# Battery: Freestyle uses rechargable battery.  Swing Maxi uses AA battery, though you can purchase rechargeable AA, its quite a turn-off for me.
 

#  Hands-free: Freestyle comes with hands-free kit.  It's already in the packaging.  Convenient, clip-on to your bra hands-free kit.  Swing Maxi requires you to  use this Easy Expression Bustier.  The bustier comes in different sizes.  I am not sure how that does it for me, but Freestyle definitely sounds more convenient.  I believe you can use the bustier for other electric pump as well, and I think they sell this separately (I could be wrong, can anybody update?) Edit: I found out that the hands-free kit can also be used on Swing Maxi, but this is sold separately. 
 

# Size and weight:  Both are pretty small and lightweight.
 

# Noise: I can't compare the noise from experience.  I read that Swing Maxi is quieter.
 

# Digital Display Monitor:  This is an advantage for Freestyle over Swing Maxi.  It has a digital display where you can set timer, see your expression level, and battery level. 
 

# Suction: Both offers 2-phase expression.

There you go.  If you ask me, again, I will tell you to get Freestyle, again.  It never disappoints me.  Ok ok, tell you what.  Get something that suits your budget and needs.  How is that.  Was that helpful enough?

Don't forget to drop a comment in the comment box if you would like to add/ omit my info.  

Till then.  

Disclaimer:  This is not a paid review/ advertisement.  Writer shared her knowledge about breastpump based on her experience and knowledge gained through reading.  

Medela Mini E vs Medela Swing vs Medela Freestyle

"Only you can provide what's best for your baby" -
www.medelabreastfeedingus.com

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post.  Writer shares product information based on her knowledge, from her own experience, to help readers obtain more information about the breastpump.

I was introduced to Medela by a friend when I planned to breastfeed my first baby, and fell instantly in love with the brand.  In this entry, I will try to make a comparison between the three medela breastpump that I had tried.  Hope this helps if any of you are in doubt of which (Medela) breastpump to get.

Function/ Features	Mini Electric	Swing	Freestyle
Price Range (RM) (See Note #1)	300+ to 400+	600+ to 700+	1300+ to 1800+
Electric/ Battery Powered	Electric/ 2x AA battery	Electric/ 4x AA battery	Electric/ Rechargeable battery
Double Pump/ Single Pump	Single	Single (See Note #2)	Electric/ Rechargeable battery
Single phase/ 2 phase expression (See Note #3)	1 phase - gentle and efficient expression.	2 phase - Simulate, then express	2 phase - simulate then express
Hands-free function	No	No	Yes
Memory function	No	No	Yes
Electronic timer	No	No	Yes
Heavy/ Lightweight	Lightweight.	Lightweight.	Lightweight.
Adjustable speed and vacum for comfort	Yes	Yes	Yes
Noise Level (1 to 3 , 3 being the loudest)	3 - Loud motor sound	2	3 - Smooth suction sound
Breastshield available in sizes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Easy assembly	Yes	Yes	Yes
BPA-free parts	Yes	Yes	Yes
Spare parts replacement in Malaysia	Available	Available	Available

Note #1:  Varies by supplier, depending on the packages they offer.

Note #2:  Swing also has its own version of double pump, which I had never tried.  I think it is called Swing Maxi.  Its price range from 1300++ to 1400++ (Malaysian Ringgit/RM).

Note #3:  This means, suction immitates baby's suction.  Babies suck fast and light at first to simulate milk.  When let down starts, babies will suck deeper and slower to bring out more milk. 

Extra notes from Mommy D:

#  Ok, what mommies out there need to keep in mind is that, a good pump MATTERS in breastfeeding, especially if you're a working mommy.  You want to avoid painful, stressful, and exhausting pumping experience, because trust me, it will put you down.

#  Yes, you can take supplement or eat milk booster food to increase milk supply, but most importantly is to PUMP OFTEN.  Milk booster is useless if you can't pump often enough.

So there you go.  Let me know if there is anything I should add :-)

Edit:
There were questions if pumping using electric/ battery- operated pump hurts?  For me, that will depend on the type of pump used, and also size of breastshield.  Medela breastpump has a personalised breastshield size, i.e. the one that will fit according to your nipple size.  I am not sure if other breastpump has the same, so I can't answer that part.  

Read about breastshield here and here is the guideline to the right size of breastshield.

To compare between the 3 pumps, I think Mini E caused me a slight pain in the nipple area.  I believe this was because of the suction, heck I don't know, actually?  But it sure did work to express the milk and do wonders :-)  Swing and Freestyle, on the other hand were so comfortable you'd fall in love with them instantly.

Breastmilk pekat dan banyak

Masa first baby, I had problem with volume and suction.  This time around, volume alhamdulillah walaupon taklah sehebat 'some' people, namun adalah sikit rezeki anak.  Cuma sentap sikit bila dah start work ni, susu merundum, but still encouraging lah kan...  I notice that with the twins, susu lebih banyak.  I believe this is because of the following:

# 1: Confinement

I tak amalkan strict berpantang macam first baby.  Masa Ayesha, my mom only let me had nasi panas + black pepper + salt.  Masa tu muka pucat, blood pressure naik, susu badan pon takde.  Even though minum air macam hape punye banyak, ok!  Sampai kembung!

What I ate during the first week was sup sayur and rice.  Sayur hijau, ok.  Green leafy veges.  They're such a big help.  Tempe dan tauhu pon banyak makan tapi lepas minggu keberapa tah.  Masa awal- awal tu totally sayur for one week, then a week after mak bagi makan ikan masak singgang sampai ler naik kematu dah tekak ni nak telan.  Tapi layan kan jer demi kesihatan, takmo makan minyak- minya, pedas or gatal- gatal.  Nanti merana diri hehehe.  Pastu banyak minum soya, horlicks, milo hot water, you know to keep the fluid going la.  Kalau tak dehydrated pulak. 

#2: Pumping

I pump more regularly during the first two months sebab takde suction.  Two hourly or three, at most.  Last time, dah la takde suction sebab baby dah nipple confuse.  Pump pon malas sebab dah stress konon.  Lagipon this time dah ada Freestyle masa dalam pantang.  Masa Ayesha, I was using Swing.  Tu pon Swing sampai lepas seminggu lebih berpantang.  Pengajaran nye, jangan malas, ok.

Ha, lagi satu, dalam penghasilan breastmilk ni, we have to make sure that we:

• Understand the concept of supply vs demand.  If ada demand, there will be supply.  Hence the importance of regularly breastfeeding or, in my case, pumping. 
• Must empty our breast when feeding or pumping.  If you are directly breastfeeding your baby, pump after feeding to let out the excess milk.  If you are feeding on one side only, say your left, you must pump out the right side after that.  Bila breast empty, barulah production bermula lagi.  Refer supply and demand concept lah kiranye.  But if you're pumping only, like at work ke or the way I do, kena pam lama sikit bagi breast kosong.  It helps if you have the time.  Increase suction power and length of pumping, baru lah power.  I perasan juge, kalau I rush pagi- pagi and pump dlm 8 minutes je gitu, during 10:30am pumping session nanti, susu akan kurang.  As if dia cuma ngabihkan susu pagi tadi yang I tak kosongkan.  Serious, cuba you all try ni. 

Tapi one thing lah, my breastmilk for the twins kelihatann agak cair.  Even one of my colleague pon tegur benda yang sama.  SO what I did was I pekatkan sikit horlicks, like minum 5 tablespoon gitu satu mug hehehe.  But I didn't add any sugar or milk lah.  I can't sebab terlalu manis nanti.  I also drink 2 glasses of soya everyday.  One morning and one at night.  As a result, Alhamdulillah susu dah nampak pekat dan berlemak.  Cenggitu lah kekdah cheapskate hohoho.  Sampai sini jer post harini sebelum kita sama- sama menguap kebosanan. 

Mode: Tengah excited nak balik kampung jenguk my cenonets. 

Why I am still in love with Freestyle.

I loved it before, when I breastfed my first baby, I am still in love with it now! I tell you, even though I didn't manage to directly breastfeed the twins, the Medela Freestyle is the best thing money can buy. Lansung tak menyesal beli! Sekurang- kurang nye anak merasa lah jugak susu ibu, walaupon health condition diorang membuatkan diorang need to be supported by formula.

 

 

Here's why I love it so much.

• Efficient. Due to its 2-phase expression (simulation first, then expression), I was able to produce milk even without any contact with the twins.
• Lightweight. Seriously weiii, boleh carry ke mana saja tanpa rasa beban di bahu. Unless of course, if you're carrying 2 icepacks like I do, terasa lah sikit berat, dengan laptop, handbag dan sebagainya.
• Easy. You don't have to be near a power point sebab dia pakai rechargeable battery. Macam I punya, if I charged the battery fully, boleh last a week kalau pump 3x at work. Best kan?
• Quick. Double pump so memang definitely time saver. Paling kritikal la kalau you have meetings ke apa kan, and feeling super engorged. Express jer la kejap both sides pakai freestyle. Tadaaaa. Legaaaaaaaa. It is, for me, the most useful function of the pump for me!
• Quiet. Bunyi taklah bising sangat. Bunyi ddrrrr drrrr grrrr gitu je lah.
• Freedom. Its hands-free. Clip it to your bra. I pump my morning session sambil bersiap- siap atau dalam kereta. My afternoon and evening session kadang- kadang dekat cubicle jer. Sambil kerja. Heheh provided no men around. Kat rumah, pam sambil tengok tv, sambil lipat baju, basuh pinggan, gosok baju. Awwww jangan jeles.
• Comfort. Pump lansung tak sakit. Selamat untuk breast tissue. Boleh pam sambil rehat- rehatkan belakang jugak.

I wouln't trade this with any other pump. Kalau dah lenjan cukup- cukup macam I, memang lah sangat worth the investment. I dah pernah try Medela Swing dan Mini E sebelum ni. Dua- dua pon ok in terms of expression, memang banyak susu. Tu pasal nama medela tu memang trusted kot. Tapi takde KESEMUA di atas. So, kalau ada sesapa teringin nak tau, my personal experience using Medela Freestyle sebelum you all consider beli, feel free to email me. I should be able to tell you pengalaman I sendiri menyusukan anak menggunakan Freestyle. Mahal sikit, but cheaper than buying formula, correct?

My tips, sebelum nak beli any type of breastpump,

• Buat lah research sebelum buat apa- apa decision, tak rugi pon membaca. Baca kan menambah ilmu.
• Decide on your budget. Berapa you sanggup belanja untuk breastpump.
• Determine your needs. Apa keperluan you? Nak ringan? Nak cepat? Nak rileks? Nak manual? Electric? Battery- operated?
• Carilah reseller yang boleh dipercayai. Semak warranty dengan teliti. Ada yang cover motor je, ada yang cover parts sekali.
• Cari jugak breastpump yang mudah nak cari parts!
• Speak to others and get them to share their pumping experience using whichever breastpump.

Till then, happy pumping.