Behind the Boom in Breast Pump Innovation

About 75% of women that work full time have children under age 18, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. With more women entering the workforce, many of them re-entering after maternity leave, breast pump sales have steadily increased. According to a Grand View Research report, the market is expected to grow 7.6% annually through 2020. As women balance motherhood with multiple other responsibilities, both working women and stay-at-home moms alike have sought more convenient and discreet pumps. Multiple startups have responded to their demands by offering breast pumps with user-friendly designs, compact profiles, and "smart" technology. This new wave of breast pump manufacturers faces stiff competition from industry leaders such as Medela, Philips, Playtex, and Ameda, among others. "Some of these companies have had essentially the same system on the market for 40 or so years," said Hope Sams, business development associate for Motif Medical. "As technology changes, so must breast pumps." Women away from home may need to pump several times a day, conveniently, and discreetly. They may not want to carry a breast pump backpack or tote into the office. They may not have time to get away from their desk to pump. And they probably don't want to be tied to an electrical outlet. The Disruptors Recognizing the need for a discreet, quiet solution, CEO Naomi Kelman and a group of Silicon Valley innovators created Willow, a mobile, all-in-one breast pump that fits in a woman's br...
Source: MDDI - Category: Medical Devices Authors: Tags: Pumps & Valves Design Source Type: news