About Tommee Tippee
Tommee Tippee: Britain's Favourite Baby Feeding Brand Since 1965 Tommee Tippee has supported new parents through the challenges of feeding and caring for babies for nearly six decades. From innovative bottles to the iconic Perfect Prep machine, this Newcastle-based brand ranks among the world's largest baby care companies. At Grocefully, we help you compare Tommee Tippee prices across UK retailers to find the best deals on essential baby products. A Dog Named Tommee The Tommee Tippee story begins in 1940s California with three entrepreneurial brothers and a problem shared by every parent – cups that tip over. Their solution was simple but effective: a weighted base that self-righted if knocked, preventing spills before they happened. The brothers named their invention after their beloved dog, Tommee. The weighted cup gained attention for its clever design and practical benefits for families with young children. A British businessman encountered the Tommee Tippee cup and saw potential beyond American borders. He invested in the brothers' idea, and in 1965, the Tommee Tippee story officially began in the United Kingdom. From that point, the brand developed distinctly British character whilst maintaining its innovative heritage. Building the Mayborn Group The brand operates through Mayborn Group Limited, incorporated on 19 September 1946 and headquartered at Mayborn House in Balliol Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. The company focuses on innovative solutions for infant feeding, hygiene, and soothing needs. Newcastle roots matter to the brand's identity. Despite global expansion and international ownership, Tommee Tippee maintains its North East England headquarters and British design philosophy. From a primarily UK-focused entity, Mayborn underwent significant expansion following its acquisition by private equity firm 3i Group in 2006. This investment enabled transition to multinational operation with enhanced product innovation and international distribution capabilities. Chinese Ownership In 2016, Shanghai Jahwa Co – a Chinese manufacturer of household products – acquired Mayborn Group from 3i for £135 million (approximately $197 million). Shanghai Jahwa itself is wholly owned by Ping An Insurance Group, one of China's largest insurance companies. This ownership structure provides significant resources for continued innovation and global expansion. Manufacturing facilities now span Morocco (Tangier), China (Guang Dong), and the UK (Mansfield), combining cost efficiency with quality control. Regional commercial offices in North America, UK, Australia, France, Hong Kong, and mainland China support worldwide distribution. As of 2015, Tommee Tippee ranked as the fifth largest child care company globally – a position maintained through continuous product development. Complementary Brands Beyond Tommee Tippee, Mayborn Group owns complementary brands expanding their baby care portfolio. Gro – the UK-based baby care line behind the popular Grobag – provides sleep-related products. Baby Buddha, a US breast pump specialist, adds breastfeeding expertise. These acquisitions demonstrate strategic expansion across baby care categories rather than narrow focus on feeding alone. Understanding the Product Range Tommee Tippee offers comprehensive coverage of baby feeding, sterilising, and soothing needs. Closer to Nature Bottles The flagship Closer to Nature bottle range features breast-like teats designed to support combination feeding. The natural shape and flexible silicone aim to reduce nipple confusion for babies switching between breast and bottle. Available in various sizes – from newborn 150ml to larger 260ml bottles – the range accommodates growing appetites. Anti-colic features address common feeding concerns. Advanced Anti-Colic Bottles For babies struggling with colic symptoms, the Advanced Anti-Colic range provides enhanced venting systems. These bottles reduce air ingestion during feeding, potentially easing digestive discomfort. The distinctive heat-sensing strip changes colour to indicate when milk is too hot, adding safety alongside colic management. Perfect Prep Machine The Perfect Prep Machine represents Tommee Tippee's most significant innovation – preparing formula bottles in minutes with water at the precise temperature. Rather than boiling kettles and waiting for cooling, Perfect Prep dispenses water at body temperature ready for immediate feeding. For exhausted parents dealing with hungry babies at 3am, this convenience proves transformative. The machine filters and sterilises water before dispensing, addressing health concerns about formula preparation. Different models accommodate various bottle types and preparation volumes. Sterilisers Tommee Tippee offers multiple sterilisation solutions addressing different parent preferences. The Microwave Steam Steriliser completes cycles in just 4 minutes, providing up to 4 clean, sterile bottles quickly. Compact and affordable, this suits parents preferring microwave convenience. Electric steam sterilisers offer hands-free operation with larger capacity. UV sterilisers provide chemical-free sanitisation using ultraviolet light. Each approach kills viruses and 99.9% of harmful bacteria on bottles, teats, breast pump parts, and other feeding equipment. Breast Pumps Tommee Tippee's breast pump range covers various expressing needs and preferences. Manual pumps offer simple, portable expressing without batteries or power requirements. Electric single pumps provide faster, easier expressing with adjustable settings. Double electric pumps express both breasts simultaneously, maximising efficiency. Wearable breast pumps represent the latest innovation – discrete pumping without being tethered to equipment. These allow expressing whilst continuing daily activities. Teats and Accessories Replacement teats in various flow rates accommodate growing babies' needs. From newborn slow flow through to faster flows for older babies, parents can match teat speed to baby's development. Bottle brushes, drying racks, insulated bags, and numerous accessories complete the feeding ecosystem. Compatible products work together, reducing frustration from incompatible purchases. Soothers and Sleep Beyond feeding, Tommee Tippee offers soothers (dummies) in various designs and sizes. These address soothing needs whilst maintaining brand consistency. Through the Gro brand acquisition, sleep products including sleeping bags and monitoring devices extend Tommee Tippee's relevance beyond feeding occasions. Where to Buy Tommee Tippee in the UK Tommee Tippee enjoys excellent UK distribution through multiple channels. Official Website Tommee Tippee's official UK website (tommeetippee.com/en-gb) offers the complete range with exclusive two-year warranty on selected baby care electricals. Direct purchasing provides brand assurance and full product selection. Argos Argos stocks comprehensive Tommee Tippee ranges across bottles, sterilisers, and accessories. Both online ordering with home delivery and Click & Collect from stores provide flexibility. Amazon UK Amazon offers extensive Tommee Tippee availability with Prime delivery options. Customer reviews help compare products, whilst Subscribe & Save provides savings on consumables like breast pads. Smyths Toys Smyths Toys carries Perfect Prep machines, bottles, and sterilisers with free delivery over £20 and Click & Collect options. The baby specialist positioning suits parents seeking dedicated guidance. Supermarkets Major supermarkets including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons stock Tommee Tippee basics – bottles, teats, and sterilising solutions. Range depth varies by store size. Boots Boots' baby departments carry Tommee Tippee alongside healthcare expertise. Advantage Card points provide savings for regular purchasers. John Lewis John Lewis stocks Tommee Tippee with the retailer's quality assurance and customer service standards. Nursery departments offer extensive selection. Choosing Between Products New parents face numerous decisions when selecting baby products. Bottles: Closer to Nature vs Anti-Colic Closer to Nature bottles suit most babies without significant colic symptoms. The breast-like design supports breastfeeding continuation whilst allowing bottle feeds when needed. Anti-Colic bottles specifically address colic concerns with enhanced venting. If baby shows colic symptoms – excessive crying, drawing up legs, apparent stomach pain – Anti-Colic variants may help. Starting with Closer to Nature and switching if needed represents sensible approach. Many babies thrive with standard bottles. Steriliser Types Microwave sterilisers cost less and work quickly but require microwave access and manual water filling. They suit smaller households or secondary sterilisation needs. Electric steam sterilisers offer convenience and larger capacity. Set-and-forget operation suits busy parents wanting one less task to manage. UV sterilisers avoid heat and steam entirely, using light to sanitise. These suit parents preferring chemical-free approaches. Manual vs Electric Breast Pumps Manual pumps suit occasional expressing – perhaps one bottle daily or irregular pumping. They're portable, quiet, and affordable. Electric pumps suit regular expressing – returning to work whilst maintaining breastfeeding, building freezer supply, or managing oversupply. The investment repays through time saved. Double pumps halve expressing time by doing both sides simultaneously. For exclusive pumping or very frequent expressing, doubles prove worthwhile. Perfect Prep Considerations Perfect Prep machines cost significantly more than kettles but provide genuine convenience for formula-feeding families. The time saved during night feeds alone may justify investment. Exclusive breastfeeders obviously won't need Perfect Prep. Combination feeders should consider how much formula they'll use – occasional supplementary bottles may not warrant the machine. Second-hand Perfect Prep machines require new filters, potentially reducing savings over new purchase. Safety and Quality Baby products require particular attention to safety and quality. UK Standards Tommee Tippee products meet relevant UK and EU safety standards. These standards govern materials, construction, and performance requirements ensuring products are safe for infant use. As established brand with reputation to protect, Tommee Tippee maintains quality control across manufacturing facilities. Chinese ownership hasn't compromised British quality standards. BPA-Free Materials All Tommee Tippee bottles and feeding products are BPA-free, addressing parental concerns about chemical leaching from plastic. This standard now applies industry-wide but Tommee Tippee adopted it early. Sterilisation Effectiveness Tommee Tippee sterilisers kill 99.9% of harmful bacteria when used correctly. Following instructions matters – incorrect water levels, insufficient heating, or contamination after sterilisation can compromise effectiveness. Price Considerations Baby products require ongoing expenditure beyond initial purchases. Initial Investment Building a feeding setup requires bottles, teats, steriliser, and potentially pump and Perfect Prep. Total costs vary dramatically based on choices made. Budget approaches using basic bottles and microwave steriliser cost significantly less than premium setups with electric steriliser, Perfect Prep, and double breast pump. Ongoing Costs Teats require regular replacement as babies grow and silicone wears. Sterilising tablets or solutions for some methods add ongoing cost. Breast pads, storage bags, and consumables accumulate. Perfect Prep filters require replacement, adding running costs to initial machine investment. Multi-buy offers and comparing prices across retailers help manage ongoing expenditure. Conclusion From a California sippy cup to global baby care leadership, Tommee Tippee has earned parental trust through consistent innovation and practical design. The Perfect Prep machine alone transformed formula feeding convenience, whilst the broader range addresses every feeding and sterilising need. For UK parents navigating baby product decisions, Tommee Tippee offers reliable quality across price points. Whether choosing basic bottles or comprehensive feeding systems, the brand provides solutions developed with genuine understanding of parenting challenges. Compare Tommee Tippee prices across UK retailers through Grocefully and find the best deals on essential baby feeding equipment.