Breast Shells Market

Market Overview:

The global breast shells market size reached US$ 76.0 Million in 2023. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 102.9 Million by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.42% during 2024-2032. The increasing consumer awareness about breastfeeding, growing advancements in material science and design, rising preference for breastfeeding among working mothers, implementation of supportive healthcare policies and the rising e-commerce sector are some of the major factors propelling the market.

Breast shells are specialized plastic devices worn inside a bra to aid various aspects of breastfeeding and nipple care. It is designed with a rounded outer shell and a soft inner silicone lining, and it comes in two main types: milk collection shells and nipple protection shells. Milk collection shells help collect excess breast milk, preventing waste and protecting clothing from stains. Nipple protection shells serve to shield sore or cracked nipples from friction, thus aiding in the healing process. Breast shells are mainly used by lactating mothers who experience soreness, engorgement, or milk leakage. It offers multiple benefits, including safe breast milk collection, promoting nipple healing, and providing a discreet solution for milk leakage.

The increasing awareness about the importance of breastfeeding and its benefits for both mothers and infants are positively affecting the market growth. In line with this, the growing advancements in material sciences and design innovation leading to more comfortable and effective breast shells, making them increasingly appealing to end-users is creating a positive outlook for the market growth. In addition to this, the increasing preference among working mothers to continue breastfeeding is also providing a thrust to the market growth. Breast shells offer a convenient way to collect and store breast milk, which is particularly beneficial for mothers who are away from their infants due to work commitments. Additionally, the easy availability of breast shells on online platforms, making it easier for consumers to access these products, is also positively impacting the market growth. Apart from this, the increasing presence of supportive healthcare policies and insurance coverage options that make breastfeeding accessories more affordable is providing an impetus to the market growth. In confluence with this, the rising focus on maternal and child healthcare services in various countries leading to increasing recommendations from healthcare providers for products like breast shells is creating remunerative growth opportunities for the market.

Breast Shells Market Trends/Drivers:

Increasing awareness about the importance of breastfeeding

The rising consciousness about the health benefits of breastfeeding is creating a positive outlook for the market growth. Besides this, the increasing promotion of breastfeeding by numerous public health organizations and governmental bodies as the optimal form of infant nutrition is propelling the market growth. Breast milk is proven to provide essential nutrients and antibodies that are crucial for an infant's growth and immune system development. Moreover, the increasing need for proper breastfeeding accessories, including breast shells, to address common challenges like milk leakage or nipple soreness is favoring the market growth. Moreover, the growing endorsement and awareness about breastfeeding disseminated through various channels, including healthcare consultations, maternity classes, and digital platforms, is also providing a thrust to the market growth. In line with this, the increasing advocation about breastfeeding by international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) leading to a growing demand for breast shells, as they are viewed as optional accessories and important tools in enhancing the breastfeeding experience for mothers, thereby promoting infant health is supporting the market growth.

Rapid technological advancements

The increasing advancements in material sciences and product design technology are propelling the market growth. In line with this, the growing innovation leading to the incorporation of softer materials, like medical-grade silicone, that is gentle on the skin while being easy to clean and sterilize is providing a considerable boost to the market growth. Besides this, the introduction of advanced design features, such as venting systems to allow airflow, aiding in the healing of sore or cracked nipples, is creating a positive outlook for the market growth. In addition to this, the increasing rigorous research and development (R&D) efforts to ensure that these shells are ergonomically designed to fit various breast sizes and shapes are positively impacting the market growth. Moreover, the growing focus on user-centric design, leading to its increasing adoption among new mothers who often navigate breastfeeding challenges, is propelling the market growth. 

Increasing preference for breastfeeding among working mothers

Breast shells offer a practical solution for milk collection and storage, enabling working mothers to continue providing breast milk, even while away from their infants, which is acting as another growth-inducing factor. In line with this, the widespread availability of amenities like lactation rooms to support breastfeeding mothers, leading to the increasing adoption of breast shells that allow mothers to discreetly collect milk that can later be fed to their infants, is supporting the market growth. Moreover, rapid advancements in milk storage solutions, such as specialized breast milk storage bags, bottles, and refrigeration units, making it easier for mothers to store expressed milk safely for extended periods, are supporting the market growth.

Breast Shells Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global breast shells market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2024-2032. Our report has categorized the market based on material and sales channel.

Breakup by Material:

• Polypropylene
• Silicone
   

Silicone dominate the market

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the material. This includes polypropylene and silicone. According to the report, silicone represented the largest segment.

Silicone dominates the market share owing to several intrinsic properties that make it highly suitable for breast shells. Medical-grade silicone is hypoallergenic, which minimizes the risk of allergic reactions or skin irritations for the lactating mother. In line with this, silicone is also highly flexible and soft, allowing for a more comfortable fit, essential for extended wear. The suppleness of the material conforms well to different breast shapes and sizes, providing an ergonomic fit that less rigid materials cannot offer. Moreover, breast shells made from silicone can be easily washed with mild soap and water, sterilized using boiling water or sterilizing solutions, and are often dishwasher-safe. This convenience in maintenance encourages repeated use, thereby offering a cost-effective solution for mothers, which is particularly important in price-sensitive markets. Besides this, silicone integrates well with the various components that might be part of a more complex lactation aid system as they can be easily connected to milk storage solutions, enhancing the ease of milk transfer and storage, boosting their attractiveness to end-users.

Breakup by Sales Channel:

• Hospital Pharmacy (Inpatient)
• Retail Store
• E-commerce
• Wholesaler/Distributor
• Direct Purchase
   

Hospital Pharmacy (Inpatient) dominate the market

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the sales channel. This includes hospital pharmacy (inpatient), retail store, e-commerce, wholesaler/distributor, and direct purchase. According to the report, hospital pharmacy (inpatient) represented the largest segment.

Hospital pharmacy (inpatient) dominates the market share for breast shells as inpatients in hospitals need immediate access to healthcare professionals, making it easier for them to get personalized advice on the type of breast shell that may be best suited for them. Moreover, hospitalized patients may have an immediate requirement for breast shells, especially after childbirth or certain medical procedures, making in-hospital pharmacies a convenient option, supporting the market growth. Besides this, consumers often place a high level of trust in products that are available in a hospital setting, assuming they meet stringent healthcare standards. In addition to this, some patients may find it easier to have the cost of breast shells covered by insurance when purchased directly from a hospital pharmacy. Apart from this, hospitals often offer packages that include various postnatal care items, including breast shells, which can make them more cost-effective for the patient.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Others
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

North America exhibits a clear dominance, accounting for the largest breast shells market share

The market research report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America accounted for the largest market share.

North America has a robust healthcare system that offers multiple avenues for breast shell sales, from hospital pharmacies to retail healthcare stores. Additionally, awareness about the benefits of breast shells is relatively high in this region as educational resources, maternal health programs, and healthcare professionals frequently recommend breast shells for lactating mothers, thereby driving the market growth. Besides this, North America's higher disposable incomes than other regions make healthcare products like breast shells more accessible to a broader demographic. In addition to this, the insurance schemes in North America may cover or subsidize the cost of breastfeeding supplies, including breast shells, making the product more attainable to consumers. Along with this, the rise of e-commerce platforms and online pharmacies, offering consumers the convenience of shopping from home, is also supporting the market growth. Furthermore, the region is at the forefront of healthcare technology. The availability of breast shells featuring ergonomic designs, premium materials, and additional benefits like milk storage makes the region's products more appealing.

Competitive Landscape:

The leading companies in the breast shells market are investing heavily in research and development (R&D) to develop new and improved versions of breast shells, such as incorporating ergonomic designs, better materials, and additional functionalities like built-in milk collection systems. Additionally, many companies are investing in educational marketing to raise awareness about the benefits of breast shells using how-to guides, video tutorials, and informational articles. Besides this, some companies are collaborating with healthcare institutions and medical professionals, leading to endorsements or recommendations, which can be valuable in gaining consumer trust. Moreover, the key companies are leveraging direct-to-consumer platforms to reach a broader audience using targeted marketing campaigns. In addition to this, companies are also working on expanding their retail networks, including entering partnerships with drugstores, baby product stores, and even supermarkets. Furthermore, the major companies with a strong domestic presence are looking to enter international markets and tailoring their products to meet the specific needs and preferences of consumers in different regions. Apart from this, the major firms are also exploring different pricing strategies, including discounts and bundle offers, to attract different customer segments.

The report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Ameda Inc. (International Biomedical Ltd.)
• Ardo Medical Ltd.
• Handi-Craft Company (Dr. Brown's Baby)
• Koninklijke Philips N.V.
• Medela AG

Breast Shells Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the global breast shells market performed so far, and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global breast shells market?
• What is the impact of each driver, restraint, and opportunity on the global breast shells market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• Which countries represent the most attractive breast shells market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the material?
• Which is the most attractive material in the breast shells market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the sales channel?
• Which is the most attractive sales channel in the breast shells market?
• What is the competitive structure of the global breast shells market?
• Who are the key players/companies in the global breast shells market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s industry report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the breast shells market from 2018-2032.
• The research report provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global breast shells market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the breast shells industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.