About Medela Hands-free Collection Cups for Medela Freestyle
Medela’s Hands-free Collection Cups, our first wearable pump set. Designed through extensive research with an anatomical shape for the ultimate in comfort. Portability meets design with our ultra-lightweight milk collection cups, fitting discreetly inside your bra without weighing you down. Designed to keep you hands-free for all your multi-tasking needs. Easy to clean with only three parts, valuing your precious time for the other important things in a busy mum’s life.
Key Benefits & Features
- Designed to comfortably fit your breast shape and support effective milk expression and more comfort
- Hands-free Collection Cups are among the lightest available (2.7oz / 77g each) and designed to fit comfortably and discreetly in your bra
- Medela's collection cups are also dishwasher-safe to save you time on cleaning
- Easily ensure that you're placing your nipple correctly into the tunnel, preventing rubbing and discomfort while supporting effective milk expression
- See-through cups help you notice when and how your milk is flowing
- The Hands-free Collection Cups can easily connect to your Freestyle, Swing Maxi and Pump in Style, so you can be ready to go sooner!
Medela Hands-free Collection Cups for Medela Freestyle FAQs
How can I connect the Hands-free Collection Cups to my breastfeeding pump?
The Hands-free Collection Cups are connected to the breast pump by way of a tubing connection. The Hands-free cups are provided with tubing extensions that incorporate two connectors. One connector (flat) connects to the collection cup and the other connector (round / soft) connects to the existing y-tubing assembly that was provided with your breast pump purchase. The pump connection remains the same as with the classic (with bottle) pumping kit.
Are the Hands-free Collection Cups easy to clean?
With only three parts to clean :
1. Cup
2. Membrane
3. Breast shield (no need to separate or remove the O-ring from the breast shield for washing or sanitizing).
The Hands-free Collection Cups have been designed to make cleaning easy. The cups are dishwasher safe on the top rack only. This excludes the tubing extension.
When finished pumping, how can I drain the milk from the tunnel into the Hands-free Collection Cups?
To finish your pumping session, while the pump is still running lean forward and ensure all milk from the nipple tunnel enters the collection cups. Once there is no more milk in the tunnel stop the pump by turning off the pump.
Do wearable breast pump cups work as well as pumping with the classic bottle pumping kit?
The Hands-free Collection Cups offer pumping moms the same vacuum performance as the classic (bottle pumping) kit. This allows moms the freedom to choose which pumping kit is right for them without sacrificing on vacuum performance.
How do the wearable cups hold on to the breast?
The Hands-free Collection Cups are placed on the breast inside the mom’s bra. The fit of the bra and vacuum generated from the pump creates a seal that allows the cups to stay in place while pumping and collecting milk.
Are the Hands-free Collection Cups adaptable to different breast shapes?
The Hands-free Collection Cups are designed in an anatomical shape to comfortably fit to most breasts. The Hands-free Collection Cups come in two sizes; 21mm and 24mm to maximize comfort and effective milk drainage during pumping.
Can I keep using my current Medela double electric personal use pump with the Hands-free Collection Cups?
Yes, absolutely. The Hands-free Collection Cups are compatible with the Medela double electric personal use breast pumps specifically Freestyle, Swing Maxi and Pump in Style even if they were previously bought in a classic configuration (with bottles).
Do you have to be sitting or can you be more active when using the Hands-free Collection Cups?
The Hands-free Collection Cups (or wearable breast pump cups) are great for relaxing back and taking a moment, and also for those time when you have to be on-the-go. Whether you choose to pump while sitting, walking around or tending to your baby, the Hands-free Collection Cups allows you both options. It is good to note as with all pumps, the cups are not designed to be used when leaning over completely or during exercise as there is an opening (pouring spout) at the top of the cups through which milk could spill out.
How often do I need to clean the Hands-free Collection Cups?
The Hands-free Collection Cups should be boiled before first use, washed after every use (hand wash or dishwash), and sanitized once per day (boil or micro-steam). During regular washing and sanitizing, you do not need to remove the o-rings from the breast shield. Always allow all parts to completely dry before re-assembly.
Can I exclusively pump with the Hands-free Collection Cups?
Medela recommends choosing the Symphony plus rental to build supply in pump dependent mothers. Once supply is established (usually around 4 weeks), the Freestyle and Pump in Style are pumps that are designed for moms who pump a lot.