Little girls love to play Mommy with their dolls, but does the new "breastfeeding doll" go too far? The nation seems divided.
"Bebe Gloton" ("hungry baby" in Spanish) has caused quite a stir in the few months since the Spanish toy company Berjuan released it to the U.S. market. The doll comes with an apron-like top to mimic a bra, and the top has brightly colored flowers to mimic nipples (although the doll doesn't "latch on"). The doll's lips, like most dolls', are puckered and ready for feeding. The doll makes a sucking sound when it is being "fed" and burps when it's done.
So... Some people love it, some people hate it. Even the YouTube video of a girl demonstrating Bebe Gloton has an almost equal number of "likes" and "dislikes."
Let's take a look at the gist of the mixed reviews:
- Breastfeeding is natural and healthy, and this doll may promote breastfeeding in future mothers.
- It's great that this doll doesn't come with a bottle, as most dolls do, because formula-feeding is artificial and unhealthy.
- This doll is creepy, and it's disgusting that littlegirls (who it is obviously marketed to)are being shown how to breastfeed at such a young age.
- There is a sexual element to this doll. Would we give little girls play sanitary pads to teach them about their period or padded bras to show them how their breasts may look someday?
- Breastfeeding is great and this is a good educational toy, but it might be better for older children(but, then, older children don't play with dolls). It doesn't make a lot of sense for younger kids when they can learn about breastfeeding closer to their parenting years.
- So, kids can have toyguns or dolls that fake pee and poop, but not dolls that fake breastfeed? What's wrong with this country?
- Can't kids just use any doll to mimic nursing if they want to? Why do they need this special ($120!!) doll to do that?
The price is pretty crazy, if you ask me!
Parents obviously choose toys at their own discretion, so people who love Bebe Gloton can love it, and those who hate it can hate it. The toy company clearly knew that it would be controversial: the doll is only available as a girl, wearing pink.
Tell us what you think about this controversial little Bebe!