No Special Breastfeeding Doll Necessary
August 12, 2009 by Angela White, J.D., breastfeeding counselor
Filed under activism
The new Bebe Gloton breastfeeding doll has some people up in arms although I do not quite understand all the fuss. I heard the concern expressed that young girls might play with the doll, decide they like breastfeeding (yay!) and then — here’s the inexplicable leap — suddenly decide they want to have a baby! Yet somehow we let our little girls play with dolls with baby bottles, and there’s no concern there? Does that mean that breastfeeding is sexual or that a breastfeeding doll sexualizes the young girl who plays with it? Give me a break!
I suppose I can see some people’s concern with the “flowers” that represent the nipple and areola. Personally those do not bother me one bit. I teach my seven-, four- and one-year-old girls the correct anatomical names for the parts of their bodies (and mine) and I certainly hope that they learn that the nipple and areola are for breastfeeding! That being said, I do not think that any special doll is necessary for girls to model the practice of breastfeeding. My own daughters have used their “regular” dolls to nurse — you can see my then 2.5-year-old nursing her doll in this picture. And here is a video of two sweet little girls (not mine) nursing their stuffed animals to sleep. It’s wonderful to see them cradling their babies, gently bouncing them, and quietly shush-shush-shushing them!
Rather than being worried that such playacting at breastfeeding will hurt my girls, I only hope they remember that that’s how babies should be fed and comforted when they have their own babies.
What do you think about the Bebe Gloton doll? Would you buy it? Does your child pretend to nurse a doll or stuffed animal?
My sons have pretended to nurse their stuffed animals. Both of them have become attached to at least one animal in particular that needed to have their turn nursing from Mama as well! That always cracks me up.
This is exactly what I said to my husband, when he said that doll was over the top – too much. Little girls don’t need a breastfeeding doll to pretend to breastfeed, they will do it anyhow.
I also never understood that giant leap from breastfeeding doll to pregnant. Do little girls do that with babies w/bottles? Silly people.
Yes, I’d buy it if my daughter wanted it. Why, not? It’s normal. Much rather have her do that than think that feeding a baby with a bottle is normal and what you “should” do.
I agree 100%. I wouldn’t buy this doll because I don’t want my daughter (if I have one someday) to think that she needs something – the flower or halter or whatever it is – in order to feed her child. I also don’t plan on providing play bottles with dolls either.
But I saw a blog about this last night on Dr. Phil and I couldn’t believe the leap to teenage pregnancy and promiscuity. I mean REALLY? If anything, play breastfeeding a doll tells a girl that her breasts are more than just a man’s plaything. That she can one day sustain a life with them – how awesome is that?
We give our children plastic gardening tools so they can learn about things that grow in the ground. We give them plastic bats and balls so they can have fun playing softball. Bebe doll is another toy that mimics natural parts of growing up. Children want to copy activities they see others doing. Bebe doll is a mirroring of life while children use their imaginations while playing.
My daughter has pretended to nurse baby dolls and stuffed animals. I think it’s fine. Or, actually, much better than fine.
This doll does skeeve me out a bit, though, to be honest. I don’t see why the technology and flowers are required. The upside of nursing is that you don’t need special equipment. So I wouldn’t buy it, but that doesn’t mean I think it’s harmful. I just think it’s a little bit much and not really necessary, since kids are more likely to learn about parenting from watching adults than buying a particular doll.
I’d definitely buy it! I encourage my kids to breastfeed their dolls. (My sons do it, too.) It desexualizes the breasts, not the other way around.
I do think it’s sad that there is a need for a doll that is a special breastfeeding doll, but in light of the fact that nearly every single doll out there automatically comes with a bottle, it’s necessary. Maybe some day, dolls will come without feeding things, and it will be the assumption that the baby needs to nurse.
I have four children – 6.5, 5, 3.5 and 18 months (girls followed by a boy). My son still nurses. My three girls nurse their baby dolls and stuffed animals. They’re doing what they’ve seen Mommy do literally all their lives. Since my 6.5 y/o was born, there’s only been six months where I wasn’t pregnant, breastfeeding or both. This doll doesn’t offend me in the slightest. I think the top is a little weird but I’m wondering why we need a “special” doll to teach our kids to breastfeed. And I’m with you on wondering how in the heck it’s supposed to lead to “early pregnancy”. What a crock!
Bebe Gloton is availabe on ebay for $112 including shipping you save about $20 by buying it in the USA as shipping from Spain is about $50.
You can also buy it from http://www.bebegloton.us or buy contacting the distributor at garamchai1@aol.com