New toy "Baby Gloton" a source of controversy

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Berjuan, a Spanish toymaker has created a breast feeding doll which has caused some controversy . The doll which makes sucking noises as it feeds, comes with a halter style top with flaps for the little girls to wear at "feeding" time.


Although many health care providers promote the benefits of breast-feeding, parents around the world have criticized Berjuan, saying the idea of breast-feeding is too grown-up for young children -- and may even promote early pregnancy.

"That's not cool," Lori Reynolds, of El Paso, Texas, told KFOXTV.com. "No, I would never get that for my child."

But other moms said they support the product.

"I think that it’s great that people want to have a doll that promotes breast-feeding,” said Rose Haluschak, also of El Paso. “Most dolls that are purchased come with a bottle. That is the norm in society, an artificial way to feed your baby.”

Dr. Manny Alvarez, managing health editor of FOXNews.com, said although he supports the idea of breast-feeding, he sees how his own daughter plays with dolls and wonders if Bebe Gloton might speed up maternal urges in the little girls who play it.

“Pregnancy has to entail maturity and understanding,” Alvarez said. “It’s like introducing sex education in first grade instead of seventh or eighth grade. Or, it could inadvertently lead little girls to become traumatized. You never know the effects this could have until she’s older.”


I personally don't see why this is such a big deal. Unfortunately much of today's society still isn't comfortable with breastfeeding and the bottle has become the
"norm". My 3 year old daughter pretends to nurse her dolls all the time. It is called playing mommy. Little girls have been doing it for decades! Children make connections. When they see their mothers feeding babies with their breasts they are going to assume that's what they are for. Not a bad assumption for something that is completely natural and normal.

I don't understand how someone would compare this to introducing sex education to a first grader!

What gets me confused however is the name of this doll. Baby Gloton translates as "gluttonous baby". I'm sure they could have come up with something a little more appropriate.


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3 comments:

Idzie Desmarais said...

I don't see what the big deal is either! When I was young, I nursed all of my dolls... Also, I don't see why introducing sex ed to a first grader is bad either, to be honest. Sex is as natural as breastfeeding, and I don't think children should be told silly lies instead of simply having things explained to them, or handing them one of the great sex ed books out there for young children!

Peace,
Idzie

Layla said...

Well, I don't like the too-many-plastic-dolls as it is!

Can they be safely recycled? Are they safe? What kind of materials have been used?

These are the things that concern me much more than how they look and what extras they come with! :)

Personally, I would prefer a completely recyclable/compostable natural cloth toy that more imagination & creativity can be used with! (to play Mommies & Daddies or breastfeeding or whatever!)

lol I was a bit traumatized by my Mum when she read us a book about sex in sort of 1st grade or so.. Maybe because it was my Mum saying these outrageous things lol, in front of the kids from the street!! :)
/I come from a very Catholic home otherwise, & a very Catholic Dad may have had some influence with all that too!!/

I still think breastfeeding is natural & in most cases best for the Mum & the baby!!
never played it as a kiddie as far as I can remember, but I did give birth from under a jumper once! :)

Nadia said...

Layla:

I completely agree with you on the plastic doll issue. Recyclable, natural cloth toys are a much preferred option in our family as well.

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