Sara,
I am not crazy about lact-e-lites, I strongly prefer Lact-e's.  Lact-e
lites/elites are designed to start at zero vacuum, so that mothers with
extremely sensitive nipples can pump comfortably.  This is why you have
to turn up the suction so much to get the diaphragms to contract.
According to the co, the pump has a different suction curve, maintaining
peak suction for a bit longer than the Lact-e.  Some mothers seem to like
it more, some like it less.  I have had a few lites that seemed to be
more lethargic than most, and moms had more trouble with those individual
pumps.  I returned them for repairs, and replaced them with Lact-e's.  I
only keep a few rechargable lites on hand for mothers who have no access
to electricity on their jobs.  I personally suspect that since this pump
was designed to be used with both vacuum and frequency adjustments, but
were shipped with the frequency adjustment closed off pending FDA
approval, that they will not work optimally until they are refitted with
the cycle frequency knob.  I also find that they are more sluggish when
the battery is run down.  You might try running the pump on battery until
it stops, letting it rest a few hours, and then recharging it overnight.
--
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC  [log in to unmask]