Comments on: Monday Musings: Would You Buy This Doll?

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:56:22 +0000

I also love the idea of a “mainstream” toy that promotes breastfeeding. So cool! I told my husband about all the fuss when I first heard and he just laughed.

My girls also nurse their babies all the time. My 4yo even argued with a friend about how to feed a baby! We do have a nursing mama doll (with baby and toddler nurslings) that I bought when I was introducing the idea of a baby sister to my oldest during my pregnancy and talking in advance about tandem nursing. She came with a sling too, which I love.

I’m generally more into non-plastic toys that don’t make noise too. I like pretend play to require more imagination and creativity. I don’t like plastic babies in general b/c I don’t like to hold them as much. And it’s those aspects of the doll I don’t care for. I LOVE the idea of bottles always being sold separately!

I don’t mind the idea of the bra/top, even with the flowers. My kids know I wear a special bra (nursing bra) when I’m nursing baby or toddler out and about, so I know that is what they would probably relate it to.

By: Birth_Lactation

Birth_Lactation — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:27:48 +0000

This is a very good thought provoking post!. I have to say that my whole thought process on this, coming from many generations of baby dolls is most like @Emma’s above. I was very happy to see this doll come out… for the sheer positive thought process of making it obvious that breastfeeding was how the baby doll was fed, not by bottle. My perspective was different than that of “we don’t need a pretend bra and nipples”.. I mean …. of course we don’t!
I agree with Melodie that this type of thing needs to be eased into the market here. I viewed it also as an interactive type doll. And I looked at it as a positive step in the right direction. The public is NOT ready for a pretend anatomically correct breast complete with pretend letdowns for the little girl or boy to wear. Many people hated the anatomically correct little boy doll when he arrived. People were happy with a large round hole for Betsy wetsy types to pee.
The vast majority of breastfeeding mothers I have worked with have seen their toddlers and/or young boys and girls “nurse” their baby dolls at times all on their own accord. It is a norm for their children. It isn’t a norm for most of the western culture. I understand how the halter bra thing can be a viewed as weird. I do. But I for one thought the idea, the concept, although not perfect, was positive. I also wish no doll came with bottles. Most parents don’t throw them away like mentioned above. The doll that starts sucking when held properly to nurse is the best ever idea!

By: TheFeministBreeder

TheFeministBreeder — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:01:11 +0000

My issue with the doll is this: I think it causes us to miss out on a great opportunity to teach our girls about thier OWN nipples, and what they do. The fact is, milk comes out of nipples, NOT out of halter tops or bras. My son doesn’t need a special doll or halter top to mimic breastfeeding. He just picks up the nearest doll or stuffed animal, lifts his shirt, and plays “mommy.” Now, if I had a daughter, I would show her where the milk came out and teach her what it does for the baby. As I have a son doing this, it makes that just a little more complicated, but it’s still a lesson in what’s mammalian and natural.

I’m kind of a purist when it comes to breastfeeding, and I’m not big on the marketing of things related to breastfeeding. Breastfeeding doesn’t require a dollar, and neither does teaching girls about it. That’s my two cents.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:11:42 +0000

i don’t like the idea of using flowers as “breasts”. creates weird association. i wouldn’t buy it as it is – but would probably buy if it was “simpler” – something like the magnet badge as emma suggested.

By: julie

julie — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:53:53 +0000

I have mixed feelings about this. Bravo for intorducing little girls to the concept of breastfeeding. Boo for telling them that they need buy something special to do it. They don’t need fake plastic breasts to feed their babies.
I love the photo of your little girl feeding her baby and I love that Mama and baby doll pair. That is a great breastfeeding doll.

By: Kim

Kim — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:01:37 +0000

Hmmmm … I don’t think I’d buy it – mostly because it seems a bit silly to have to put on the halter top. I think, like a previous commenter suggested, that it would be awesome to have a doll that begins sucking when placed in the proper breastfeeding position – that way you could use it to teach positioning! LOL But, like you said, it’s plastic and makes noise (and loud ones at that), so I wouldn’t buy it based solely on those criteria. The halter thing does seem weird – but I don’t think it’s going to hyper-sexualize little girls. It kills me that that’s the first thing to get brought up … how about using women and sex to sell cars? Think that’s maybe a problem too??

I’m with Heather Cushman-Dowdee on this – every doll is a breastfeeding doll … just throw away the bottle! http://www.mama-is.com/throw-the-bottle-away/

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 21:15:52 +0000

I don’t like the idea of my kids “putting on” a breast accessory for the toy to work. It seems to set up the belief a baby and a breast are not enough for success…when, most of the time, that’s all a woman needs to breastfeed!