UK Breast Pump Market Report

UK Breast Pump Market Executive Summary

The UK Breast Pump Market is at around $76.4 Mn in 2023 and is projected to reach $119.6 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.6% during the forecast period.

A breast pump is a mechanical device that lactating women use to extract milk from their breasts. They are available in two forms; they can be manual devices powered by hand or foot movements or automatic devices powered by electricity. Breast pumps are available in a variety of styles to meet the demands of moms. Hand-operated manual pumps are lightweight and silent, making them ideal for sporadic usage. Electric pumps are often used on a regular basis because of their higher efficiency and ability to run on mains or batteries. There are several uses for breast pumps. Many parents use them to continue breastfeeding after they return to work. They express their milk at work, which is later bottle-fed to their child by a caregiver. A breast pump may also be used to address a range of challenges parents may encounter during breastfeeding, including difficulties latching, separation from an infant in intensive care, feeding an infant who cannot extract sufficient milk itself from the breast, to avoid passing medication through breast milk to the baby, or to relieve engorgement, which is a painful condition whereby the breasts are overfull.

The UK Breast Pump Market is driven by significant factors such as the rising female workforce, enhanced features, and consumer awareness. However, stringent regulations, physical discomfort, and societal judgments about breast pumps restrict the growth and potential of the market. 

The major players in the UK Breast Pump Market are Elvie, Ardo, Tommee Tippee, Koninklijke Philips, Canpol Babies, and Chicco, among others. Tommee Tippee offers a variety of breast pumps designed for comfort and ease of use. Their pumps are known for their gentle suction and ergonomic designs.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Rising Female Workforce: In the UK, with 16.06 million women aged 16 and over employed from October to December 2023, the increasing female presence in the professional sector is boosting the breast pump market. As more women advance in their careers, the demand for work-life balance solutions grows. Breast pumps provide working mothers with the flexibility to continue breastfeeding while managing professional responsibilities. Supported by progressive workplace policies and increased breastfeeding awareness, this trend is driving substantial market growth.

Enhanced Features: The Breast Pump Market is growing due to advanced features that cater to modern mothers. Popular attributes include portability, customizable suction levels, quiet operation, and smart technology. Innovations like wearable designs and smartphone connectivity enhance flexibility and efficiency, appealing to busy mothers. These improvements drive demand for premium breast pumps, fueling market expansion.

Consumer Awareness: Growing consumer awareness about breast pumps is a key factor driving market expansion. As understanding of the benefits of breastfeeding and the advantages of modern breast pump technologies increases, more parents are opting for these devices to meet their breastfeeding goals. Educational campaigns, health seminars, and endorsements from healthcare professionals have enhanced knowledge of how breast pumps can aid breastfeeding, enhance milk production, and offer flexibility for working mothers. This heightened awareness boosts consumer confidence and stimulates demand, thereby fostering growth in the Breast Pump Market.

Market Restraints

Stringent Regulations: Stringent medical device regulations in the UK present a significant challenge to the breast pump market's growth. The rigorous standards and extensive compliance requirements for medical devices, including breast pumps, can increase the cost and complexity of bringing new products to market. Manufacturers must navigate a detailed approval process, adhere to strict safety and quality standards, and regularly undergo inspections to ensure compliance. These regulatory hurdles can slow down product development, limit market entry for smaller companies, and raise costs for consumers. As a result, the regulatory environment can restrain market expansion by creating barriers to entry and increasing operational costs.

Physical Discomfort: Discomfort from using breast pumps can significantly impede market growth. Users often face issues such as soreness, tenderness, or pain, which result from poor pump fit, incorrect suction levels, or extended use. This discomfort can discourage consistent use and diminish the pump's effectiveness, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction. When users experience these problems, they are less inclined to keep using the pump or recommend it to others. As a result, these negative experiences can restrict overall market adoption and slow the expansion of the breast pump sector.

Societal Judgements: Societal attitudes towards breast pumps can hinder market growth by shaping consumer perceptions and acceptance. Negative views regarding breast pumps as a sign of failure or a departure from conventional breastfeeding practices, lead to stigma and deter potential users. Cultural expectations and outdated notions about breastfeeding can further affect the adoption of breast pumps, with some individuals seeing them as superfluous or inferior to direct breastfeeding. Such societal attitudes can cause hesitation in buying and using breast pumps, thereby constraining market expansion and impeding growth in the industry.

Regulatory Landscape and Reimbursement Scenario

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the government authority of the UK, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care. MHRA ensures that pharmaceuticals, blood components, advanced therapy medical products, and medical devices meet applicable standards of safety, quality, and efficacy. Its core responsibilities include overseeing UK-notified bodies, regulating clinical trials, monitoring compliance for medicines and medical devices, and offering technical and regulatory advice for these products. Moreover, MHRA serves to protect the overall public health by promoting international standardization and harmonization.

The license or marketing authorization for new drugs is granted by the regulatory authority, i.e., MHRA after ensuring that the drug is safe, effective, and meets GMP requirements. The MHRA is responsible for granting licenses in England, Scotland, and Wales and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is responsible in Northern Ireland. Once the drug is granted a license, appraisal takes place before it is made available on the National Health Service (NHS). In England and Wales, this appraisal is carried out by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), in Scotland by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), and in Northern Ireland by the Department of Health (DoH).

The goal of the National Health Service (NHS), the UK’s tax-funded healthcare system, is to provide comprehensive healthcare services free at the point of access for its residents. Two primary methods of reimbursement exist: Primary Care and Secondary Care. Local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) are tasked with contracting with and compensating general practices for primary care services, such as doctor visits. For Secondary Care, NHS England oversees the funding of hospitals and specialized services centrally. Hospital reimbursement is determined by a national tariff system that establishes rates for particular medical services.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

Here are some of the major key players in the UK Breast Pump Market:

• Elvie
• Ardo
• Tommee Tippee
• Koninklijke Philips
• Canpol Babies
• Chicco
• Ameda
• Medela
• Evenflo
• Kimetech GmbH