Breastmilk vs. Formula Debate

I don't have a problem with the concept of a breastfeeding doll.  Children love to imitate, and having a doll that doesn't have bottles, or having a doll with breastfeeding "supplies" like mom has, (ie mini boppy pillow, sling) is a great idea.

But THIS doll seems over the top to me.  Sound effects and "wilting flowers"?  Try imagination!

I agree, education DOES start at home, which is why I support the concept of a breastfeeding doll.  But I'd never choose THIS one.

While I not sure that I see a real need for such a realistic doll, I don't see this doll as sexual or wrong in any way. If their are going to be dolls sold that try to simulate bottle feeding in a more advanced way (i.e. doll bottles that empty themselves, baby dolls that making drinking noises and burp afterwords, simulated diaper wetting/pooping, etc.) then I see nothing wrong with a doll that simulates BFing.

If you follow the link and there is another link to a flash video of a Spanish TV (Spain) news report on the dolls. Below the video is a bunch comments on the video in Spanish. Here is a translated version of comments: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.20minutos.tv/video/bhlDJLOW-primer-muneco-lactante/0/&ei=c-NaSqTNKpPQtgPF9eiDCw&sa=X&oi=translate&resnum=1&ct=result&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttp://www.20minutos.tv/video/bhlDJLOW-primer-muneco-lactante/0/%26hl%3Den

Here is a summery of some of the more disturbing comments summarized for you:
* Several of the commentators suggested this doll would make the girls want to have babies as preteens and teens.
* Some of the commentators seem to think having your child simulate BFing with this doll was somehow sexual or pornographic in nature and thus inappropriate. One commenter thought it could lead to girls becoming like men with regards to sex, being a promiscuous and oversexed like a animal.
* One commenter suggested this would appeal to preteen lesbians who would get off simulating having their breasts sucked.
* Some commenters seem to misunderstand the purpose of the doll and thought it was intended to teach children the mechanics of BFing something they didn't think children need to learn at that age.
* One male commenter stated he thinks that breastfeeding is instinctive, not learned, and thus the doll is supremely stupid and an insult to the intelligence of women.

Ah, but do you react the same way to the "drink and wet" dolls here in the Western Hemisphere? Some of them make "nom, nom, nom" noises when given the *bottle* and make *wet diapers*!

I really don't like this particular doll.  And the way I was raised you just don't do things like that at such a young age.  Knowing my kids if they would have been exposed to it they would have been doing it in church or school or somewhere.  I would be so embarrassed.  I do BF, but I do not do it in public.  I was taught there is a time and place for things.  There are just certain things we didn't do until a certain age.  Just like there a certain thing that we didn't discuss until a certain age, mainly for maturity issues and such.   Part of it might be cause mamma was always wary of all the child molester out there, there are so many around us.  With my dad you just didn't discuss things like that, and you behaved appropriately, in his eyes it's to much to get into now.  I guess you could say they're slightly conservative.  I just feel it is inappropriate for little girls, maybe it would be ok for older girls.  That's just my POV.

Thank you Elena :)

 

<<I really don't like this particular doll. And the way I was raised you just don't do things like that at such a young age.>>

Personally, I don't see anything sexual about BFing and thus I don't see anything wrong with a child imitating BFing.

<<Knowing my kids if they would have been exposed to it they would have been doing it in church or school or somewhere. I would be so embarrassed. >>

So do you basically not BF around your other children or allow them to see others BFing? If you saw a mother nursing in public would you shield your children's eyes? Or is the issue only with this particular doll and how it simulates BFing?

<<I do BF, but I do not do it in public. I was taught there is a time and place for things.>>

Are you saying you disapprove of women BFing in public in general or is it only that you would not be comfortable doing it public but are OK with others doing if the comfortable with it? Again, since I see nothing sexual about BFing and I don't think it falls into the same category as urination and defecation and thus I don't see any reason I should refrained from doing it in public.

<<There are just certain things we didn't do until a certain age. Just like there a certain thing that we didn't discuss until a certain age, mainly for maturity issues and such.>>

I can understand that some things are not for children to be doing such as sex or are for which children would not be mature enough to fully understand such as certain sexual topics but I don't see BFing as being in either category.

<<... I just feel it is inappropriate for little girls, maybe it would be OK for older girls. That's just my POV.>>

I have to disagree with you here and while you are entitled to your POV, I don't think there is any evidence that supports it being inappropriate for little girls (or boys for that matter) to imitate BFing.