Bebe Gloton
Naturally this is creeping out people on our side of the pond for a number of reasons (none of which I understand). All I know is that anything that encourages the daughters of today (mothers of tomorrow) to hold a hungry baby to their chest rather than inserting a piece of silicone or latex in the baby’s mouth is a good thing.
I understand that children who are mimicking breastfeeding to begin with (because they observe a breastfeeding parent) will pretend to nurse their non-mechanical toys, stuffed animals and even live pets. They will do this without a halter top and without sucking noises coming from their dolls. This doll is totally unnecessary for a child that was brought up in a breastfeeding family in other words. They will probably appreciate the doll but they already know how the process works without props.
I also understand that children who observe bottle feeding parents will use all sorts of substitute bottles to “feed” their animals, dolls and toys and do not need a doll that comes with a bottle and makes sucking noises in order to feed their toys.
The point is that we finally have a doll that normalizes the best and most natural way to feed our young and the media is in an uproar about it. Apparently it is the “nipples” (aka flowers) on the halter top that are throwing everyone for a loop.
According to Dr. Nancy and her guest on the video shown at the bottom of this post, the halter top is “hypersexualizing” young girls. WHAT? How is it hypersexualizing anything? Would they prefer little girls actually lift their shirts and whip it out? (Because that is what all of us hypersexual breastfeeding mothers do, you know.)
Seriously though, aren’t the flowers a nice compromise for the puritanical hypersensitive people who are terrified of nursing mothers and want to keep us locked up in a dark room somewhere? Can you imagine the uproar if the doll manufacturer came up with a way to make the doll respond to real human nipples instead of the halter top flowers? I would love to see that reaction from Nancy and her cronies.
Naughty Breastfeeding Doll
Age Appropriate Nipple and Milk Free Dolls
How about Dr. Manny Alvarez of Fox News saying that the doll might
“speed up maternal urges in the little girls who play it….It’s like introducing sex education in first grade instead of seventh or eighth grade. Or, it could inadvertently lead little girls to become traumatised.”
Um…what? Traumatized? Sex education? Is this guy for real? Is he on Nestle’s payroll?
Does bottle feeding traumatize little girls? Does bottle feeding hypersexualize little girls? Doesn’t this whole controversy underscore our society’s anti-breastfeeding sentiment by saying that teaching little girls to feed their children the same way every other mammal on the planet feeds its young is “naughty and sexual” but inserting a piece of silicone or latex inside another person is not?
If we are going to make infant feeding analogous to sexual activity, then wouldn’t breastfeeding be like making love while bottle feeding would be like some kind aberration of natural sex such as sex with a rubber doll or a dildo? What would you rather teach your child is normal, healthy behavior?
Do I think dolls should mechanically breastfeed or bottle feed at all? Actually no I don’t. I think that dolls should not be mechanized at all. I think that how a doll eats, eliminates and is cared for should be up to the imagination and creativity of it’s child caregiver. I also think that 99% of mothers are physically capable of breastfeeding and that their babies deserve to be breastfed and that if there is any way they can work it into their lifestyle then they should breastfeed and that their example should be the one that children learn from, not from a mechanized doll but in the real world children are not learning about breastfeeding from their parents and if this is one way for them to learn the best way to feed babies, then why are people so quick to knock it?
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I knew you would blog about this, and I’m so glad you did!!!
Hi, I followed a link to this post. So I know what you mean about mechanized dolls–they aren’t necessary–just expensive! The video was interesting. I found it interesting that pretend bf disappears from child’s play after a certain age. I think I went past age 5, though, with that kind of play. Anyway, I do not like the halter top, either. It’s weird. I don’t think it sexualizes it, and she never explained how it sexualizes it in the video, either. But it is weird. I think fake boobs that go under the shirt might be better!
sorry I posted this comment on the wrong post oops. Here it is in the right place.
I could not believe the reactions people were having to this. I first heard about it while listening to The View. I thought Joy was going to have a heart attack. Freaking out that children were breastfeeding their dolls ~ but it’s perfectly acceptable for a child to stick a bottle in a baby dolls mouth?? What’s that about.
Great post, and I’m glad I found your blog ~ subscribed
Is this woman (psychologist) on crack??? First of all, little flowers are not sexual in any way. I think it is the adults who were raised to see sex as dirty and scandalous are the ones who are “sexualizing” it. Second- she seriously thinks that girls will be confused because you can’t nurse over a bra?? WTF?!?!? Third, the reason little girls stop play nursing is probably not a “natural developmental stage” but rather because they get taught to view sex and/or their bodies as dirty and scandalous just like their parents. Ugh. This video just reminds me of things I hate about our culture. It’s okay to use sex to sell everything on the planet and get tv ratings, but not okay to teach our kids about breastfeeding. What is WRONG with people?????
I’m appalled by the haters who are the ones stigmatizing and sexualizing a perfectly natural act that children often imitate. Will folks ever be able to realize that our body parts are not purely for public consumption?
I really fail to how this toy can actually be fun for little girls and why they would want one. Slightly educational perhaps but not fun.
Yes. That’s very true! The sucking noises from the baby doll is very interesting. I also do not like the halter top. I think the design is a bit funny – who come out with this idea?!
Dear stacey@as seen on tv,
Since when hasn’t it been fun for little girls (and boys for that matter) to feed and care for their dolls and stuffed animals?
I just explained this doll to my 6 year old, and asked her if she would want one. She said yes. I asked her if it would be fun to play with that doll, and she said “Yeah, it would be fun to play mom and dad…” My daughter and son always play mom and dad. maybe I have a strang 6 year old on my hands if she thinks this doll would be FUN!? I think not.what’s so fun about the toy bottles they sell at the store for “fun” play?! i am shocked the one would actually claim educational, but certainly not fun.Ugh!
The toy creeps me out. I really don’t think I can bear to look at my three year old daughter holding it near her chest! LOL
It’s one kind of idea!..
Ok so I’ll just keep off my baby of a baby feeding doll.
I guess that scene will really lead to early pregnancy as she is practicing it early too…
That doll is somehow creepy, but I know several girls who would love the experience and would feel “cute” breastfeeding it
Interesting, cool article, please write more of these!
I am not sexualising anything, however, I find all this concept deeply disturbing and upsetting. Why cannot you understand that this sort of toy can arouse unwanted feelings and associations in kids who just have to be kids. Let them develop into adults naturally and gradually. If I had the power, I would abolish the doll instantly. It is not funny and it is not of any value to a kid. It doesn’t provide the educational process and it is too risky. Have you considered that these “flowers” will make girls breast-aware LONG before they have to. They don’t have to be aware of their breasts at that age. This is sick!!!!!!!
Are you seriously suggesting that children should not “be aware” of their body parts?
They should be aware of their body parts but is this the right age to know all this stuff? The idea of breastfeeding doll is pretty weird.Why did they maufacture breastfeeding doll Is it for adults or for kids.
Children should be aware of the right way to feed a baby from birth because that is how they and their siblings were fed. Bottles are not normal or natural yet that is the norm for children to feed their dolls. There is no “right age” to know this stuff.
@Sheryl, yes and no. I just think we need to give children time to be just… children! I think there is no harm explaining them “sensitive” things only when they ask about it. If they don’t ask, don’t tell them and most of all – don’t give them a chance to experience things that they cannot yet completely comprehend.
Are children still being “just children” when they feed their dolls from a bottle?
Being a collector of dolls that set a context and story for girls to read and learn from, I am not sure what to make of breastfeeding dolls. I think I will stick to giving dolls to my little girl that tell stories of strong women and what they can do.
.-= Katie@American Doll Furniture´s last blog ..American Girl Doll Furniture =-.
I think this product is a little strange. I understand the purpouse but I wonder who came up whith this idea, certainly they only meant well but the result wasn’t that good… But at the same time everything that encourages (at a decent level) breast feeding is good, I think babies get mush healthier by being breast fed than having to eat some replacement substance. Interesting article altogether!
.-= Henne@Bad stomach ache´s last blog ..Morning stomach ache =-.
There is no problem with this doll. It is merely representing a perfectly natural process which children will learn about anyway as they grow up. Where is the harm?
Interesting, my daughter doesn’t have one and I hope she never wants one so I don’t have to go in discussion with her
But if she wants one I don’t think we will give her one. It’s just a strange doll if you ask me, but I don’t think there are any negative effects longterm.
See ya
.-= Marijke – kinderkamer ideeën´s last blog ..Kinderslaapkamer =-.
I think mothers should be encouraged to give babies breast milk whenever they can. But for me, the problem with this doll is that it’s one step closer to giving young girls that feeling of motherhood that makes them yearn very early for the real thing. Why not just talk to young girls about the benefits surrounding breastfeeding babies?
The lengths people or I should say companies will go! It’s one thing seeing your daughter pretend to breast feed her doll and another buying her a doll that actually makes a sound when it approaches your breast!! I would never forgive myself if I ever bought her a toy like this!
How is this doll ANYWAY related to sex? And why would this doll speed up maternal urges in little girls who use it?!? Breastfeeding is a maternal instinct that is activated AFTER you have a baby. That doctor really doesn’t know what he’s talking about!
checked lots of blogs to readsomething regarding to this subject…. I salute you
I am feeling great of reading this discussion and I think it’s better for kids.
Parents must guide their female kids to stop using breastfeed dolls. This solution will avoid teenage pregnancy in your kids, by the way thanks for sharing this news.
Interesting topic. Its’ very possible this leads to increased pregnancy. Children imitate what they see in life, this is no exception.
How on earth could feeding a doll “lead to pregnancy”? Do you know how people get pregnant? Intercourse, sperm, egg (FYI).
This is a very realistic invention. I see kids nowadays who want to act like adults. Playing mother to their dolls. I don’t know if this leads to teenage pregnancy though.
I don’t understand why this doll can lead to pregnancy. Aren’t little kids so young to think about getting pregnant?
I understand that children should be educated about sexuality at an early age. However it should be discussed with proper guidance. If young kids will play this toy without proper education, they may be mislead to some information. I think this can be used for educational purposes only and not just a mere toy.
ERGHH im a little sceptical about the science behind how a doll leads to pregnancy but its creepy anyway.
My nieces love to play with dolls like this. I think they love to pretend to be adults. I don’t think dolls like this can lead to pregnancy.
wow!!! This issues are really terrifying, basically not the dolls that gives idea to engage in early pregnancy but more on the environment of a child, it is good medium of introducing to children the idea of breastfeeding but make sure parents should be there to guide the innocent mind of their children, breast feeding is very helpful to babies Ameda Purely Yours Breast Pump but i think leading it in early pregnancy is impossible.
I discovered your blog today, this is a really terrific post you made, keep them coming!… – Drop me a visit at my replica watch store sometime!
it may,, because breastfeeding to dolls made them think that they are just like moms…. and may affect there growth and decision.. so parents choose nice toys to your kids.,
The breastfeeding baby doll is not really a good toy for young female children because it is quite true that those children might be pregnant in a very early age.
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I do not agree with this doll. Children of all ages will play with this and they would get more curious about it leading to early pregnancy. This is accessible to all ages and parents do not have all of their time to watch over their kids playing with it.
I understand that children need to be aware of these things at a certain age, but this is just plain creepy. Children THAT young shouldn’t be even experimenting with these kind of things.
As a Danish shopowner handling toysIi totally agree with Sheen Adviento that it’s NOT really a good idea cause the can become pregnent all to young!
This is one of the most useful Internet resources that I have seen. Thanks!
this article is unique, its interesting, keep it up guys!
I personally think that this is a very unique idea. I can honestly say that i see both sides of the issue. I do not agrre with the little flowers over the nipple. But at the same time little girls have been playing mommy since i grew up. It is just in thier nature. There is nothing perverted about this instinct.
I think it’s kind of sad that everything can be made to have sexual references even when it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Matt writes about Child Behavior problems
thanks for all your posts. One of my favourite blogs.
I am not sure if I agree with this or not. I can see the argument from both sides of the page. It is educational but is it to soon.
Clint
I instantly expected some kind of sexually-charged objection to this doll as I was going through the first paragraph. I even expected that some “professor” would state that this doll would encourage teenage pregnancy. Oh well. We should be used to reactions such as these by now. Anything remotely associated with the nipples, vagina, penis … are considered taboo. No wonder kids these days are getting more and more misinformed about sex.
Thank you a lot for your interesting article. I have been searching for such information for a really long time. Not all your content is fully easy to understand to me, even though it is definitely interesting and worth reading.
This is an interesting article and informative, nice to read, thanks for sharing this wonderful post and keep it up!
These days, there is sure to be unnecessary controversy wherever there are breasts, legs and other more sensitive body parts involved.