Moral Question, Parenting Solutions
Breastfeeding Doll: What Do You Think?
We’re not entirely sure how we feel about this doll, and we think it might take some time before we figure it out.
The Bebe Gloton, making its way to North America from Spain, makes suckling sounds while it “breastfeeds” and burps after feeding.
While we ponder this new discovery, tell us what you think. Is this age appropriate? Is it weird? Does it make perfect sense?
WE JUST DON’T KNOW.
Read the story in the New York Daily News here (including a video demonstration).
Tags: Age Appropriate, Breastfeeding, Open Question, Toys
I’m surprised that anyone in Canada would consider it potentially weird or not age appropriate. I understand that Americans have a lot of odd qualms about breastfeeding, but I thought we were kind of beyond that up here.
I never hesitated to let my son see me breastfeed his baby sister, so why would it not be age appropriate for a child to play with a breastfeeding doll?
If anything, I think dolls with bottles are inappropriate. I think it instills in the minds of our children that babies are fed with bottles when in fact the recommendation of all major health authorities is that they should be breastfed.
I don’t think it is weird. I do think it is age appropriate. And I think that we need more like it.
I agree that selling dolls with bottles is wrong. I think that the flowers are creepy, though, because they make me think of (a) something mechanical between mother and child or (b) a stripper. On the other hand, I don’t know how to represent “breastfeeding” and will say this doll is better than one with a bottle. Normalizing breastfeeding is clearly the important message.
My daughter just chose a baby doll with a bottle and we explained it by saying that I pump so that she can give it a bottle when I’m working, as I pumped when she was smaller.
Let me start off by saying that I am very much in support of breast feeding (I breastfed my son for 10 months). However, this doll is just creepy! WOMEN breastfeed, not children and this concept is just taking it too far. As for dolls that come with bottles, I don’t know who you Moms are or what you do, but it’s pretty darn hard to leave your child (even for a few hours) if you don’t leave them a bottle! Whether filled with breast milk or formula, bottles feed babies! How about teaching our children that the most important thing about taking care of your baby is making sure they are happy and healthy, breast or formula fed…
@Kristy: Pretend play is extremely important for children’s development. Children pretend to be adults and want to do the things that they see us doing. My children have a play kitchen. They use the stove and the oven. I don’t let them use my stove and oven yet, but they are allowed to play. Why would this be any different?
I think it’s wonderful to have this available for families who would like to have a doll for their child that reflect their family’s values and practices. I remember ‘nursing’ my baby dolls when I was young and my mom was nursing my sister…to be able to pretend play is so important.
I’ve always been bothered by the bottles that come with other baby dolls…I’ve always just removed them, or not bought that particular toy. And like everything else, if you find it creepy or inappropriate, or whatever, just don’t buy it. I’m just so thrilled that there is a nursing option!
As the father of two wonderful little girls I have mixed feelings about this doll. Mostly on the feelings part. When I think about giving my children a doll that encourages breastfeeding instead of bottle feeding that seems like a great idea. But imagining my daughter pretend nursing makes me feel a little uncomfortable. This is my issue, and if one of my girls wanted one of these dolls I could get over myself. I think that my uncomfortableness and the “creepiness” factor has more to do with how sexualized the breast is in North American culture. And as cool and supportive as everyone wants to be about breastfeeding, it always seems just a little bit awkward when it happens in public. Let me be clear, I totally support public breast feeding, and society is close to fully embracing it, but I still see disapproving stares, double takes and have even experienced brief lulls in conversation amongst friends when breast is flashed to a feed a baby.
I know a few little girls who would so love this! They already have slings for their babies and pretend to nurse them, tops on of course. Not creepy and definitely preferable to the strange baby doll that poos.
I think why not? It is pretend play for a child. When I breastfed my last baby my daughters liked to feed their baby dolls at the same time. They came up with the idea on their own, so kids have been doing this for a while and now they just have a special doll. What’s the big deal?
I think it’s a bit weird but I don’t really have a problem with it.
Not really our thing. Won’t be purchasing it as a gift anytime soon.
Little boys can’t have toy guns because they will grow up to be “psychopathic killers” but we as a society, have no problem letting our daughters prepare to be unwed mothers…..I’m just sayin’…
Bebe Gloton is available on eBay or you can order from http://www.bebegloton.us
First thought ‘Weird!’then flashed back to my oldest daughter cracking up a health nurse because she had turned a horn-like toy into a makeshift breastpump. Kids will pretend play with anything. I guess if we want to normalize breastfeeding, then truly why not?
[...] I think it is so important to breastfeed in public. This is why I think we need at least as many breastfeeding dolls as bottle feeding [...]
[...] I think it is so important to breastfeed in public. This is why I think we need at least as many breastfeeding dolls as bottle feeding [...]
My 2 yr old son often “breastfeeds” his toy animals when I’m nursing his sister. I think it is GREAT! My son is a sensitive loving boy. Honestly, it might seem “weird” or make people uncomfy to see kids breastfeeding b/c of what our society has done to the breast. They are for feeding babies, not sexual…see them for what they are and it won’t be “weird”. I find it weird to have bottle feeding as the norm. Even an infant can take milk (pumped from mom) from a cup, so really I think its the bottle that is odd. I think this doll is so important to teach our kids what is normal and support this normal way of feeding.
[...] I think it is so important to breastfeed in public. This is why I think we need at least as many breastfeeding dolls as bottle feeding [...]
Wow, cool post. I just now stumbled on your website and am already a fan. :P