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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think this is going to far with the breastfeeding!

93 replies

houseworkwhore · 23/03/2011 20:29

thebreastmilkbaby.com/ watch the demonstration of the baby doll!!

dons hard hat ready for a pasting

I think this is a little to far. Opinions??

OP posts:
ShinyMoonInAPurpleSky · 23/03/2011 20:43

I feel it's wrong because little girls can't bf, it's not like we have playsets that let little girls pretend to be pregnant. It's similar to the bikinis and bras for little girls.

It's strange because I used to put blankets up my jumpers as a little girl to pretend to be pregnant and feed the baby but to actually have a doll that makes it more than just the imagination is a step too far imo.

If that made any sense to anyone reading then I applaud you. I can't think of a way to say it clearer.

jaggythistle · 23/03/2011 20:43

I hope you didn't think I thought it was wrong - I was correcting my typo and was too slow for the thread Blush

Rowan49 · 23/03/2011 20:43

oops

please please don't all yell at me! Grin

DorisIsAPinkDragon · 23/03/2011 20:43

Does the apron not interat with the baby to making sucking noises

bigmouthstrikesagain · 23/03/2011 20:43

nope no problem with the doll this on the other hand...

missmakesstuff · 23/03/2011 20:44

x posts with everyone...must type faster!

crapbarry · 23/03/2011 20:44

it's going too far with the price, but not the principle. I find all the toy animals sold with 'baby bottles' just as objectionable TBH.

'nothing unusual about a child pretending to breast feed a doll (my son does it), but I suppose the tie-on nipples are a bit unnecessary.' I just laughed out loud at this :o

StealthPolarBear · 23/03/2011 20:44

I don't have green areolas (areolae??), is that not normal? Confused

Purplebuns · 23/03/2011 20:44

I think this is a great idea, you should have seen some of the responses in America to this doll! I would buy one if available in uk, just to show support for a good idea! + The babies are quite cute.

Reality · 23/03/2011 20:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

clitorisorclitoraint · 23/03/2011 20:44

I think it's really sweet. Good for normalising breastfeeding for future generations of women.

DorisIsAPinkDragon · 23/03/2011 20:45

Little girls (and boys) spend hours imitating their mums feeding. But are normally only given dolls that interact with bottles that makes their play more real, I think it is a lovely idea.

StealthPolarBear · 23/03/2011 20:46

I don't habe a problem with it, but you shouldn't need any extra equipment to bf your doll :o Unlike bottle feeding where you have the toy steriliser, and the toy scoops, and you have to pretend to add the fake powder when the pretend water is exactly 70 degrees :o

MrsLevinson · 23/03/2011 20:46

YANBU, young children do not need to 'learn' to breastfeed. I do think it's important they view it as the norm, and when they role play with feeding dolls etc it's very sweet. But this doll is just strange.
Having said that, my 3 yo DD recently asked me is she'll be able to breastfeed her brother 'when she has boobs' - now that IS taking it too far!

Booandpops · 23/03/2011 20:47

Shiny moon. That's exactly why I find it a bit odd too
Fine using imagination but actually doing it with real toys actually designed for purpose Hmmmm

NinkyNonker · 23/03/2011 20:47

Don't worry Rowan, you have not been offensive in any way! We're all entitled to our feelings and you have put your's across very respectfully.

StealthPolarBear · 23/03/2011 20:47

they don't have to learn but it does need to be normalised
And when every 'baby' comes with a bottle, that isn't going to happen.

Original poster
houseworkwhore · 23/03/2011 20:47

I just find it a bit much. especially the tie on nipples?

I am all for breastfeeding and it being the most natural thing etc etc etc ....

that debate has been done to death and i wont get into that.

However there is something about this doll that kinda creeps me out...

i think its the tie on nipples and the baby moving its mouth as if it suckling for milk...the little actress doesnt look totally comfortable with it

OP posts:
sungirltan · 23/03/2011 20:48

i think its really cute. i wouldn't push it on dd but if she chose it i'd get it for her. actually i think its more of an educational tool and could be better used that way but really, that little video is sooo cute and harmless.

naturalbaby · 23/03/2011 20:48

I love the idea of a 3yr old bfeeding his toy lizard! Ds1 is nearly 3 and trying to copy me carrying ds3 in a sling so was wondering if/when he would copy me bfeeding. I'm not sure he's entirely sure what's going on, even though I fed him till 13months so I thought he would remember, and I fed ds2 till 11months. He said the other day 'baby is kissing your tummy!' cause of the noises he was making!!
I never had dolls with bottles or remember pretending to breastfeed. I don't even really remember seeing anyone breastfeed at all, ever, before I gave birth but I remember looking forward to having a baby so I could breastfeed him - and expecting to. I never needed a doll like this to encourage me.

Zettelbox · 23/03/2011 20:49

YABU - I think the doll is very cute. If it weren't for the price Hmm

I think the bra thing is a bit odd though - surely a plain bf doll is enough.

FWIW both my sons have breastfed their toys. DS2 breastfeeds his Thomas the Tank Engine out of his bellybutton. Hasn't yet got anatomy sorted :)

hairfullofsnakes · 23/03/2011 20:49

I think this is fantastic and I would rather get this than a doll with a bottle

abbierhodes · 23/03/2011 20:52

Shinymoon, you've said pretty much what I was going to say. Little girls don't have breasts, they don't wear bras...
It's one thing seeing a child take a doll and hold it against her like mummy does, it's quite another giving her something that simulates sucking her breast.

My children make guns out of lego and chase each other round the house sometimes...fine, but I wouldn't let them play CoD. (NOT to suggest guns are natural, but it's the same sort of difference.)

otchayaniye · 23/03/2011 20:53

Rowan, no offence taken at all -- thanks for answering. You wouldn't see me breastfeeding my 2-1/2 year old as we keep it our dirty secret (joke) and I guess if you ever do see it, it's very, very unusual, heightening your sense of unease.

I hold my hand up to having made bitty comments to my husband when I was pregnant with my first on holiday in Asia and saw a 5 year old nurse (I can't explain why I don't like that word! We all have hang ups!)

I wasn't even intending to feed beyond a few months before I had her, but when she came, 5 weeks early and so tiny I fed and fed and before I knew it a year had passed, then 18 months, she was dependent on it for sleep etc etc, then we kind of just carried on. Hardly does it now, but know she'll want to when this baby comes.

My 2-1/2 year old talks about feeding her brother or sister all the time.

Hard not to mimic or not talk about something you've done for hours and hours and hours for months, even years, on end.

jaggythistle · 23/03/2011 20:53

"DS2 breastfeeds his Thomas the Tank Engine out of his bellybutton"

Love it hehe!

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