Breast Pump Market: Leading Product Types & Technologies

Breast pumps are FDA-approved medical equipment that can be applied to increase or maintain a woman’s milk production. These devices help relieve swollen breasts as well as obstructed milk ducts. As per Inkwood Research, the global breast pump market is anticipated to record a CAGR of 8.00% during the forecast years of 2022 to 2030. The market growth is attributable to key drivers, such as the rising birth rates, government initiatives to improve consumer awareness, and the surging rates of women’s employment.

Open and Closed Breast Pump Systems – Here’s Where the Difference Lies

The terms open and closed breast pumps typically refer to whether or not a barrier, also known as ‘media separation,’ exists between the breast milk and the pump. The key difference between the two pump types is that while an open system does not have a barrier, a closed system has an obstruction between the pump mechanism and the milk collection kit. Let’s learn more about these products and their advantages in detail –

• Open System – The distinguishing feature of an open pump system is that it has no barrier. As a result, in case the milk enters the tubing, the tubing system must be cleaned and dried before being utilized for pumping again. Moreover, open system pumps cannot be sterilized to be used safely by another breastfeeding mother since it is not possible to clean the motor.

• Closed System – A closed system pump has a barrier between the parts of the pump, including the bottle, connector, valve, breast shield, as well as tubing. Some of the top benefits of using a closed system breast pump include a relatively higher hygienic process of pumping as well as the fact that the pump can either be sold or given away after use. These aspects also play an essential role in positioning closed system as the major product during the forecast period, 2022 to 2030.

Accordingly, the majority of breast pump manufacturers profile their pumps as ‘single-use’ or ‘multiple-use,’ as per their usage pattern. It is also important to note that an ‘open system’ and ‘closed system’ are not medical or clinical definitions, and as a result, breast pump manufacturers may use these terms differently.

Leading Breast Pump Technologies | What Do Consumers Prefer?

Breast pumps extract the milk by building a seal around the nipple and subsequently exerting and releasing the suction. This suction and release cycle combination effectively helps express milk from the breasts. Accordingly, some of the main types of breast pumps preferred by consumers, based on the type of technology they utilize, are as follows –

• Battery Powered Pumps – A battery powered breast pump uses a cord plugged into an electrical outlet or batteries to power a motorized pump. This creates suction for the extraction of milk from the breasts. These pumps can also have one or more longer tubes joining the electric pump to the breast shield. As more mothers seek flexibility in terms of breastfeeding as well as pumping, brands are increasingly focused on providing added options for battery powered breast pumps.

• Manual Pumps – Consumers inclined towards expressing milk infrequently or only when away from home often opt for manual breast pumps owing to their portability and affordability. Furthermore, manual pumping helps breastfeeding mothers drain their breasts more fully. This factor, in turn, helps increase the milk supply while also providing higher levels of fatty hindmilk essential for the baby’s nourishment. However, these pumps can cause painful breasts as well as hands, since manual pumping can be tiring and excruciating.

• Electric Pumps – Women who wish to feed their babies only expressed milk expend more on an electric pump, as it is more powerful and makes pumping relatively easier and faster. Besides, as one of the most popular types of breast pumps in the global market, electric breast pumps deliver a substantial balance of efficiency, power, and comfort for mothers with regular pumping schedules. According to Inkwood Research’s analysis, the electric pumps segment, under the technology category, is expected to dominate the global breast pump market by 2030.

Benefits of Breastfeeding to Boost the Adoption of Breast Pumps

Breast milk is recognized as an excellent source of nourishment for newborns and infants, essentially supplying the nutrients required for healthy development.

With the numerous advantages of breastfeeding, such as the reduced risk of ovarian and breast cancers, more mothers are opting for flexible and comfortable solutions for expressing milk, including the use of breast pumps. Pumping is also one of the most effective ways of addressing issues related to breast milk supply. Hence, this factor plays a pivotal role in increasing the adoption of breast pumps, thus providing the global breast pump market with lucrative growth opportunities.

By Shruti Vanjare