Wow... I want one for my daughter!

[Lil'Momma]

I hope this is the appropriate place to put this... and if I am not supposed to post a link, then I am sorry, I don't remember reading that in the UA, but correct me if I am wrong.

My question is this: would you write a letter to this company, praising them for coming up with this idea?

And secondly, would you buy one of these for your daughter? I think it's awesome!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...est=latestnews

I read a post here not too long ago where a person was upset that their child had been given a doll with a bottle, well, this would solve that problem!

[possum]

No and no.

There was a thread about this a while back - here.

Basically, one of the important aspects of breastfeeding is that it doesn't require a lot of other junk. You just need a mama with breasts and a baby. It's just not something you can sell (well, I guess if you are a wet nurse, but YKWIM). I am totally weirded out by the flower nipple thing, and think that it sends a number of bad messages about BFing. When I BF my toddler, I lift up my shirt, expose my breast just a bit, and he nurses. When he nurses his bears and babies and turtle, he does the same thing. I think the halter top sends the message that breasts are unacceptable (nurse from a flower instead!?) and that BFing is a commercial endeavor.
I understand the need to have some way to make the baby know to make nursing sounds and movements. (I had an electric skillet that came with a playdough set when I was little. I made sizzling sounds when you put playdough on it. I also make sizzling sounds when you put your clean hand on it. I'm sure a plastic baby doll could be rigged up with some sort of electrodes like that skillet so that when it touched skin it would do it's thing.) We are just not batter operated toy kinda people. The only toy my son has that uses batteries is a flashlight that he absconded with. We are going to stick with basic baby dolls and the old-fashioned way of nursing.
Melinda

[Lil'Momma]

You know, I never thought about it that way before. Thanks for the new perspective. And it's nice to know I'm not the only one whose toddler boys like to nurse their various toys.

[tanyam926]

Yeah, I agree that it's not necessary. My boys nurse everything when they are little, and then give to me to nurse them too.

The pasties kind of creep me out too, just a weird vibe about them.

[goodygumdrops]

You know, I just don't think it's that big of a deal. I find it offensive that people are saying that it could induce early maternal instincts in young girls. Yet, it's perfectly ok to give kids bottles, pretend stollers, careseats, cribs, swings, etc. Its just ridiculous. I think this doll is an amazing start from a company trying to promote the naturalizing of breastfeeding. I have no problem at all with the floral top. I mean what if it was a strap-on breast...people would freak. Also, if they promoted little girls lifting up their shirts and exposing themselves...again, people would freak. I think that the floral top is a delicate balance to a highly charged topic.

I think it's pretty sad that this doll has received so much negative press from lactivist and others alike.

[Ubelle]

I probably wouldn't get this for my daughter - she nurses her other dolls just fine. And already has too many plastic babies and toys.

The general concept is cool though and would/could bring BF into a more mainstream light - if parents weren't weirded out by it.

The article says/ imply that parents feel this isn't age appropriate - that it's two grown up a concept and they end the article with a quote about age appropriate toys.

Are baby dolls with bottles more age appropriate? Most of the dolls I've seen marketed are for little girls to play mommy with, why would breastfeeding be inappropriate - that's what bugs me about the controversy.

[proudmomof4]

Sure, that toy is not an "Eco-mom's dream" - too much plastic and too many gadgets. I agree that you can just as well nurse a regular (plastic or cloth) doll - or tractors, playdough snakes or whatever (as seen in our family over the years).
Still, it is remarkable that a "mainstream" toy company figured this might sell. Even more remarkable is maybe the fact that this doll might promote early pregnancies and premature maternal behavior. So on the other hand, Barbie dolls, Bratz, and whatever the names are just valuable assets for a girl's healthy development???

[goodygumdrops]

Originally Posted by proudmomof4

Sure, that toy is not an "Eco-mom's dream" - too much plastic and too many gadgets. I agree that you can just as well nurse a regular (plastic or cloth) doll - or tractors, playdough snakes or whatever (as seen in our family over the years).
Still, it is remarkable that a "mainstream" toy company figured this might sell. Even more remarkable is maybe the fact that this doll might promote early pregnancies and premature maternal behavior. So on the other hand, Barbie dolls, Bratz, and whatever the names are just valuable assets for a girl's healthy development???

Yes, I totally agree. Yet, all of the negative press for this doll because there is some much stigma around nursing in public and bfing in general. It's really telling about societies lack of understanding and acceptance of bfing.

[mntnmom]

I wouldn't get it. But I would write a nice letter.
I don't understand the logic of the article though. Bottle feeding which is what most girls see there moms do, is fine for play, but breastfeeding will promote early pregnancy? Wouldn't any "mommy" behavior have the same effect?

[chuchipupi]

BEBE GLOTON breastfeeding doll

The doll is adorable but it is almost sold out.
there are still a few left on eBay and Amazon

[SunShineSally]

Originally Posted by Lil'Momma

You know, I never thought about it that way before. Thanks for the new perspective. And it's nice to know I'm not the only one whose toddler boys like to nurse their various toys.

You are not alone ds is five and still nurses his toys! He also said to me not that long ago that he will give his babies milkies when he is big! (the baby is not born yet and he already is a lactivist! well he was before I got pregnant!)

Also how is breastfeeding going to make girls have babies to early