I don't usually write reviews, but I'm compelled to write one because I was very impressed by Medela customer service. I ordered 1 spare kit. The product package wasn't sealed properly. I called Medela customer service. They said the package should have been properly sealed and would send me a replacement right away. I was expecting to receive 1 replacement, but they sent me extra ones. This is one of the best customer service I ever received. The FreeStyle pump and the spare kit have been working great.

I've heard from some people that these need frequent replacement but I haven't had to replace mine yet and they are used several times a day for the past 6 months. If I have an issue with suction, I check and make sure all the little flaps are in their notches (usually just pop open and then reclose the cover without having to move anything, it just pops where it should). If all those are in right and I'm still having a little bit of suction issue, I just crack the seal on them WHILE pumping to get more air into the system and it works like a charm. Only have to do that occasionally and only at the start of pumping, from there on out its great.

I agree with everything Brittany Isner had to comment. I have the exact same issue - in fact, mine makes funny noises when it isn't suctioning as well - and it's always just one side. In fact, I've begun to think it's one of the spare part kits -but I haven't been diligent enough yet to mark it and wash it separately so I never know which one it is. I think it's ridiculous that you can't by the membrane separately - although it does seem to do well as long as everything's together right and that suction issue isn't occurring. I don't have the bra, I didn't want to spend the extra money on it - so I just have the plastic attachments. What would the world be like if they had plastic claws instead of smooth plastic attachments. I can't tell you how many times mine have come unhitched just as I'm hitching the other tether strips. Sometimes it is actually comical. For as much as I paid for the pump, I ,must admit, I was disappointed that it didn't come with the bra too. I do have two bravado bras that the plastic tethers do attach to, but they won't attach to the bravado cami that I bought - very disappointing b/c who wants to wear a bra when they're wearing a boob cami already?

I have 2 sets of spare parts kit so that it helps to save some time in getting ready for each pumping session as I can prepare for the next pump while I'm pumping. However I had to purchase an additional set as I broke the back cap while opening it up for washing. Within 3 months, I broke 3 back caps. Breaking the 2nd was still fine as there are 2 back caps in each set so I still had another from the additional set I bought. But when the 3rd broke, I was really not inclined to buy another set of the spare parts kit. I mean, what am I going to do with the rest of the parts? I think Medela should improve on the quality of the spare parts and sell the parts separately so that consumers can just buy what they need.

I've always heard you need to replace your membranes every 90 days to maintain suction. I don't need the whole kit! I bought a spare kit when I went back to work to make it easier by not having to wash parts every night. Now I need to replace the membranes and I have to pay for a third set of spare parts. Why does the Pump In Style Advanced have a pack of membranes only available and this pump does not? Also I agree with other commenters about the pieces needing to be squeezed together to maintain suction. Usually it's just one side and I can still do a little bit of one handed typing (I pump at my desk so I can continue to work) but it's not ideal. It doesn't happen every time at least, but if I really need to get something done and I can't squeeze the parts, my pumping output and milk supply suffer.

The system works fairly well but my spare part did start losing suction a few weeks into using it and needed to be squeezed together to maintain suction. This really defeats the purpose of it being hands free especially since I use this with the hands free bra. I have also had trouble with the battery before not charging but once I remove the battery and reset it it was fine. Overall I am happy with the system and it's easy to use.

I have this system and feel it works fairly well. My only frustration is that after a few weeks the parts start to loose suction and need to be squeezed together to maintain good suction leaving you less than hands free. However, when it works it works really well. I have to pump 3 times a day at work and mainly pump at home too.