I'm not kidding, such a toy exists in Spain and it may be coming to North America. Check out the video here.
A newspaper reporter called momstown today to get our perspective on this toy and feedback's been varied as we've posted up the topic on some of our message boards. Anywhere from "it's creepy and obscene" to "a Breastfeeding doll counteracts all the play bottles out on the market".
My perspective just comes down to the basics of imaginary play. It's meant to be simple and pretend with room for the child to create the scene and the actions. My daughter has mimicked me while breastfeeding her younger brother - but all it took was a simple doll or stuffed animal put to her chest to pretend. No batteries. No fancy vest with flowery nipples.
The doll is meant to help promote healthy attitudes around breastfeeding - which I agree is an important cause as I am incredibly pro-breastfeeding. But, I think the best way to promote healthy perspectives with children is to have first person experiences with breastfeeding, be able to ask questions and witness mommy (or friend or aunt..) feeding her child.
One momstown poster had a great point - she mentioned that her children pretend to be pregnant by stuffing pillows in their shirts but she isn't about to go out and buy a special pregnancy pillow to help create the perfect illusion of an adult experience for her kids. She likened the breastfeeding doll to this example as explanation why this toy would never grace her household.
Making a natural (adult) experience into a contrived, artificial one geared for kids just doesn't sound like a learning opportunity to me, just a marketing one.
( Link to the published article)
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