The Breastfeeding Baby Doll
As a little girl, my ultimate dream was having a doll that could walk. I can’t remember when Santa Claus finally granted my wish but yes, I eventually got my walking doll. Since then, the whole toy industry has rapidly undergone a revolution, with dolls which can talk, cry, sing, dance, drink and do anything else that is close to a little girl’s heart. Anything that technology can do.
Thus, it is not surprising that somebody came up with a breastfeeding doll. Meet Bebe Gloton, the creation of the Spanish toy company Berjuan, the company that makes Munecas con Corazon (Dolls with Hearts). Bebe Gloton translates as “Greedy Baby” in English and it definitely tries its best to simulate one.
Here is how Bebe Gloton works:
It comes with a bra-like halter that “mommy-child” can wear. Two flowers represent the nipples. The doll latches on to the flower and make suckling sounds (”chup, chup, chup”). After feeding, the baby needs to be burped to stop its crying.
It is also not surprising that such a toy can trigger strong reactions both negative as well as positive. Here’s what parents have to say about Baby Gloton:
Positive Opinion of the Breastfeeding Doll
Bebe Gloton encourages the natural process of breastfeeding. Some parents think that many women are uncomfortable with breastfeeding, especially in the public. They feel that incorporating breastfeeding in a child’s play can help girls get used to the natural process early in life. Indeed, that is how the toy company is promoting the product – the first step towards breastfeeding.
Negative Opinion of the Breastfeeding Doll
Bebe Gloton is inappropriate, and promotes sexualization of little girls and the act breastfeeding. While many parents believe breastfeeding is a natural process, they feel it is inappropriate to allow young girls to mimic it. Breastfeeding is for adults only and such a toy is absolutely age (not to mention socially) inappropriate.
The doll is quite life-sized, like the average size of a real new-born baby (19.6 inches) and is available either as boy or a girl. It costs about 44 Euros and is currently only available in Spain. It goes without saying that there is a whole collection of wardrobe and accessories available for Bebe Gloton.
I am all for breastfeeding but I don’t really believe that the company is simply doing this to promote the natural process of lactation. In the end, it’s all about making money. However, I also do not believe that Bebe Gloton can lead to sexualization. It’s just a doll.
What do you think?
What is your opinion about the Bebe Gloton brestfeeding doll?
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Rachel says...
for God’s sake…teaching a child how to breast feed?! i think this is BIT much. let children be children – play with the dolls that you can feed with a bottle, or whatever. but a bra with nipples..you have GOT to be kidding me.
Regina says...
This is very interesting. I think it is god to promote breastfeeding. and i believe that the parents who are or do breastfeed would use this doll if they had another child and there little girl wanted to mimic mommy. I have this happen with my oldest. She would hold the doll to her chest and pretend to feed it. B/c she saw me doing it. I saw nothing wrong with it. It has taught her a healthy natural way to feed a baby. But i also feel this would be a toy that would stay at home and i would not flaunt it around. I wouldn’t say it is inappropriate for the age but a choice of life style you are teaching your child. I have breast fed both my children in and out of the public. When i did so I always tried to be discreet so I would not offend anyone. i would not buy this doll but i will continue to educate and let my child role play on her dolls at home in breast feeding.
chuchi says...
Just a correction, the Bebe Gloton is available from Spain not at 42 Euros but 55 which is about $80 plus $50 shipping, you can buy this on ebay for $112 including shipping
Lise says...
If they’re trying to get girls to be unashamed of breastfeeding, why are they using flowers in place of plastic nipples? First, let’s help girls to not be ashamed of their bodies (ie nipples).
Susan says...
There is nothing wrong with the doll. What is wrong with promoting breastfeeding? Granted not a doll I would buy but I would not buy one that pees or poops either. I don’t even like the crying ones. The most high tech I want is the ones with the eyes that close when you lay them down. But that is just me and I would not condemn anyone who wanted to buy one nor would I freak if someone bought it for my daughter. I just might not be really quick about refreshing the batteries when they go dead, but I did that to Elmo as well.