When I first heard that there was a breastfeeding baby doll, the thought that went through my head was, “Finally!” I was tired of confusing my daughter with dolls that came with plastic bottles when she never actually witnessed me using plastic bottles on any of my own babies.* I loved the thought of promoting breastfeeding to girls at such a young age, before breasts become purely sexual. Gotta plant those seeds early on!
Then I read more about the doll. And laughed at the name. Because Gloton means Glutton. And we all know how much breastfed babies like to eat, so it seemed appropriate! I just wish it didn’t also remind me of that Brad Pitt movie with all the sins…
As I read about how the doll worked, I realized that perhaps this doll was a bit much. It includes a vest that the girl has to wear with appropriately placed flowers for the baby to nurse on. But wait a minute. Isn’t the biggest convenience of breastfeeding the lack of required materials? I mean, really, all you need is a baby that roots around and sucks on whatever you place near his mouth as soon as you hold him in a horizontal position. That’s pretty darn realistic, if you ask me. I just don’t think we’re clearing up any confusion by having little girls put on special vests to breastfeed.
Plus, without the vest, you get rid of all critics raising an eyebrow at the “appropriately placed flowers”.
But then the same people will be telling little girls to please use a nursing blanket or go the restroom to feed their baby dolls.
And then the baby doll nurse-in’s will begin.
Anyway, when it comes to Bebe Gloton, I came to the conclusion that this doll may not be the best breastfeeding doll for little girls. Really, the best breastfeeding doll is a $10 cheapie from Target. Just replace the bottle with a boppy. And the pacifier with a sling.
And maybe they could even make a deluxe version that came with a mini laptop on which the little girl could read blogs while she nurses away the hours.
I’m just sayin’…
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*I did explain to Olivia that the bottles are used to feed babies when the momma doesn’t nurse them. I did not condemn bottles as evil, nor did I tell her that a breastfeeding momma was better than a bottle-feeding momma. Please don’t hate me in the comments for this statement.
I think our thought process was about the same! Even though I’m a huge supporter of BF-ing, yea, the doll is a bit odd. I’d rather just buy once that doesn’t come with a bottle and then let them do what comes naturally. Heck – even my ds at 3 pretends to nurse his stuffed animals!
The doll is taking it a little too far, with all of it’s trappings, but at least the idea is the right one.
My daughter’s have baby dolls with bottles and they always pretend they’re feeding the baby’s bottles of breastmilk cause the mommy’s in the shower. Or they’re the grandma…with juice…which they’re not allowed to have here, so it’s hilarious.
That doll scares me.
Oh, and I love the part about the laptop to use while breastfeeding. Wow, brings back memories. That’s exactly how I got hooked on blogs and blogging.
I actually think that’s a great response. I was a nurser, but since I worked I was also an expresser so Sasha does know what bottles are (plus, now we use them with slushy ice for split lips–works great!) while he still very much remembers nursing.
And that’s a perfect explanation-the one I would use if I had to explain.
And he likes to use his boppy for his baby and sometimes will pretend to nurse (hysterical) and sometimes give them a bottle.
He doesn’t understand slings…but then he would never tolerate them.
my son was very confused the first time i gave the baby a bottle (of expressed milk) because she just flat out refused me for a couple hours. and today when daddy showed him how to get milk out of a coconut he remarked that its just like a breast! but that doll… i dont see why it needs the special vest. any old doll will do to pretend with.
Ha! You’re too funny! The laptop joke at the end made me laugh out loud. I will never live down being four years old and traveling around Europe with my grandparents (my parents were stationed in Germany). According to the family, I plopped right down in the middle of public, lifted my shirt, and stuck my babydoll to my chest. Now that I am actually breastfeeding my own real baby, they bring it up all the time. : ) I had a good role model. Thanks Mom!
Love it! This is exactly the conversation my husband and I had about this doll. OK, so it’s not telling little girls to bottlefeed, but then a bf-ing doll is not really necessary either.
I like the idea, but I won’t be buying one for my daughter. She’ll use a cheapie and we’ll probably throw out the bottle. or maybe not, whatever : )
Either way, I hate that if this doll fails to make lots of sales, then the media may interpret that to mean that people don’t want to teach their children about breastfeeding. Which is totally the opposite of the truth.
I think that those of us who are “natural mothers” who do want to teach our children about bfing, just don’t tend to fall for every baby and kid product that comes on the market as often as our mainstream counterparts might. Or maybe we do. not trying to step on anyone’s toes.
But all the bfing natural mamas I’ve talked to about this doll agree with you and me. It’s great that there’s a company trying to do this, but it’s just not necessary… My child will learn this on his or her own. From my example.
My daughter is only 15 mo now and still bfing herself, so we’ve got a little time before she really starts pretending anyway.
Her almost-3- year-old brother on the other hand love babies! I’m surprised he doesn’t nurse them. He probably hasn’t thought of it yet! : )
bad news BEBE GLOTON the breastfeeding doll is almost sold out there are a few left on eBay and Amazon but the manufacturer said that sells went through the roof this month and he won’t have more available until February.
the BEBE GLOTON ( the breastfeeding doll) is adorable and yes your daughter will be very happy to have one and you will love it. Right now is only available on eBay and there are only a few left. It was also on sale on Amazon but the distributor in the USA only started selling on Amazon a couple of months ago and to be able to sell toys on Amazon for the Christmas season you have to have about 25 sales and he only had like 18 , so it is not available there until after Christmas but on ebay it is not problem or you can just email him at garamchai1@aol.com and pay by check, money order or pay pal. If you buy directly from him you can get it for $105 including shipping in the USA
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