I wasn’t going to write about the Breast Milk Baby Doll. I didn’t see a need to, nor did I even think it was a big deal. Why such controversy over a doll that promotes breastfeeding? Breastfeeding after all is a natural, wonderful way to feed your baby. The benefits are numerous and well known. Why all the hoopla?
I’ve been reading it all…
This toy forces our children to grow up too fast. It’s creepy. Breastfeeding is best and we should teach that to our children. If we have dolls who can suck on a bottle, why not at the breast?
Some I agree with and some I don’t. However, I think the point is…why do we even need a toy like this? Once again, I believe we are putting way too much stock into the power of a toy. I’ve written about Barbie before. My ambivalent feelings toward a wholly unrealistic ideal of beauty. How it is ultimately, just a toy and what matters most is what children see and learn from us.
This breastfeeding doll is no different in that respect, it just falls on the other end of the spectrum. The concept is a wonderful one and one I can completely get behind; promoting, nurturing, and normalizing breastfeeding. Unfortunately, children are not the ones who need this message the most. Our society does and can we really expect a toy to accomplish this?
Personally, I’d rather see a child use his/her unadulterated imagination and mimicry. I don’t think toys need to make child’s play more realistic for them. They are after all, still children and will pretend to feed, dress, and care for their dolls, stuffed animals, and toys the way they see it being played out in their own homes. Yup, good old fashion mimicry and imagination.
I suppose this doll is the answer to all those baby dolls sold with bottles. I do get that part of it. However, I think it’s faulty logic if we think that by feeding their dolls with a bottle, our daughters won’t want to or know how to breastfeed their future children.
Children don’t think that way. It’s us adults projecting our fears and politics onto their child’s play. By the same token, a child pretending to nurse her doll is just that…pretend. Natural, simple, and innocent.
What we should be doing is nurturing their imagination and encouraging acceptance of how mothers feed their babies. Some will bottle feed and some will breastfeed. As a pediatrician, I encourage and support breastfeeding. I wish that the percentage of mothers who nurse exclusively for the first 6 months of life was higher than only 13.3% (CDC). Unfortunately, as a mom, I also know too well the heartbreak that can result when it doesn’t go according to plan.
I see nothing wrong with this doll as it stands alone. If a parent loves it and her child loves it, great. The problem lies in how we, as a society, think that a toy such as this can have such a huge impact on a child, whether we think it’s a negative or a positive one. When the truth is, what’s most important is what our children see and learn from us.
What do you think about the Breast Milk Baby? Would you buy one for your child?
I'm on the creepy side of this one. If a child wants to make she believe she's breastfeeding a doll, I'm all for it — use that imagination. But a doll solely for that purpose? Creepy…
I would never buy it, but not because I have a problem with it at all. I just think that kids can use their imaginations more. My daughter breastfeeds her dolls, because that's what she saw me do. She also bottle feeds them.
I agree that it's silly to act as though their future breast/bottle feeding is connected to a toy. I NEVER saw breastfeeding as a child, and I breastfed both kids.
But I disagree that it's creepy or weird. There are dolls that pee and poop, so the breastfeeding is just "eh, whatever" to me. The argument I have a problem with is people saying it sexualizes kids. THAT bothers me, because it implies that bf-ing is sexual behavior, and it absolutely is not.
Ok, I can't get over the fact that this doll is $89! What? Are you kidding me right now? Most girls pretend to breast feed with a $10 doll. A doll that eats a bottle and babyfood goes for around $30. If breast milk is best, (and costs less) then why is this doll so stinking expensive!
I agree with all the points you made. Kids learn from us. Mine will learn not to spend $89 on a stupid doll!
I'll be honest, I'm with the people that think a doll specifically designed for this is just a little, maybe not creepy, but definitely weird. There is nothing wrong with just pretending, and I don't think that any child should be discouraged from pretending.
Acutally, I'm not a fan of any toy that had a single purpose. I hate things that kids can only do one thing with. I prefer blocks, cars, stuffed animals, etc, toys that almost force imagination.
It doesn't bother me that the toy exists. Would I buy it? No. Kids have WAY too many specific toys these days. Give them a naked baby and let them find something to dress it in, diaper it with and a way to feed it. When I was nursing our youngest, our 2 YO would get a pillow and a doll and lift up her shirt to "feed" it just like Mommy. She didn't need a special doll.
That said, we probably have way too many toys at our house. I remember joking with a friend that when we were kids, we didn't have the play food. We had to use imaginary food on our plates. And when we went to friends' houses who did have play food? We were so jealous! But really, it helped me use my imagination. Our oldest has enough imagination for ALL of us, so I don't have to worry about it, but I do have friends whose kids literally don't know how to play pretend.
I don't have a problem with the doll, but I just think it would be a waste of money. My nieces pretend to breastfeed their dolls all the time because they see their moms do it. They don't need any special dolls for that.
It doesn't sit down well with me and I don't see a value to it so no, it's not on my to buy list.
I agree with you. There is nothing unnatural or indecent about breastfeeding. I think it's sad that something so innocent and natural as breastfeeding has created such a "story" around this doll. I would purchase this doll if it were a bit cheaper.
Interesting – I hadn't seen this before now. While I breastfed and totally advocate for it, I do find it a bit weird.
My twins were 2 when their brother was born and both of them would grab they stuffed animals and 'feed' them while I nursed the baby. The funny thing though was they thought I was using my belly button! Just recently my daughter, now 4, was talking about it and asked what her nipples were for. ha!
I too am not a fan of toys that "do" too much. Less is more when it comes to any toy in my book. I love watching children play and pretend w/o a toy "doing" it for them.
Thanks for all the great comments!
I will not buy my daughter this toy. She already has baby dolls, and she already nurses them! I thought the doll was silly, mostly because it takes so much preparation to nurse it. It doesn’t take that much to nurse a real baby.
It really does seem silly, doesn’t it?