VIDEO: Bebé Glotón Breastfeeding Doll Sparks Controversy

11.21.09

LIFESTYLE

VIDEO: Bebé Glotón Breastfeeding Doll Sparks Controversy

by Mariela Rosario | 08.05.2009 | 10:40am | 5 Comments

Bebé Glotón, a new doll created by Spanish toy company Berjuan to promote breastfeeding, has been sparking controversy with parents from England to California.

To play with Bebé Glotón (or Baby Glutton), little girls strap on an apron-like device that has flowers in place of nipples. They then simulate breastfeeding the baby by bringing the doll’s lips to the flowers. The toy emits a suckling sound and will cry afterwards until burped. Some parents are outraged because they feel that encouraging little girls to emulate breastfeeding is inappropriate, while others say that it is an easy and natural way to explain to youngsters the importance of breastfeeding.

We're on the fence on this one. While we see validity in promoting breastfeeding and don't view it as something sexual or shameful, there's something about the demonstration video that is just downright creepy.

We'll leave it up to you readers to tell us: Is the Bebé Glotón inappropriate or just a novel toy that could help little girls understand the wonders of their bodies?

5 Comments

LovelyPrincessa
08.05.2009
7:07pm

This is ridiculous! I would not want my daughter or niece playing with a doll like this! No thank you! Who would buy this for a kid?

Lynn P
08.05.2009
5:21pm

I don't see the big deal. If little girls should be little girls, then why allow them to pretend to be mothers in the first place? That's the whole point of dolls, right? So little girls can pretend to be mothers. If that's the case, what's wrong with teaching them about breastfeeding, the most natural thing you can do for your child. If we're OK with children feeding their dolls with bottles, why not also show them the natural alternative?

riaria25
08.05.2009
1:39pm

What where they thinking! Promoting breastfeeding is for women, not little girls. I thought the maternity Barbie wiht a pop-out belly and baby was bad, this has escalated to insanity.

Lorie_P5674
08.05.2009
12:02pm

If they want to promote breastfeeding, why not do something like this for the teens. Teen pregnancy is still at a high level. I am totally with it if it is to teach someone about the way babies and breastfeeding are reality. But...girls at this age, they don't understand. They are not emotionally or mentally capable of understanding this. I think this was a good intention with a bad end result.

Polmexi8
08.05.2009
10:50am

Little girls should be little girls, and parents should not rely on a toy to explain their daughter's body to them. This is absurd! And once again allows human beings to not rely on "real communication" to deliver a message or teach.