I’m sure you have all heard about the newest toy to hit the market…”Bebe Gloton”, or for those of us who don’t speak Spanish, Baby Gluton, the breast feeding baby doll. I’ll say RIGHT AWAY that I am conflicted by it, BUT I’ve chosen to blog about my feelings because I’m interested in what others have to say. Plus, writing it all down might help me come to an opinion! Though in reality, I’ll probably weigh the pros and cons, copy and paste the opinions of fellow bloggers/youtubers, offer my opinion on a less controversial route that the company should have taken, then politely cop out of forming any conclusion. But at least you didn’t have to do the research, right?
Bebe Gloton is made by the Spanish company Berjuan. I’ve perused the website a bit (click the British flag at the bottom if you can’t read Spanish) and found out the company’s name in English is New Generations and they create a variety of dolls to educate children. Looking through the catalog, this seems to be true. There are many different cultures, races, and genders represented in each of the dolls they have posted.
So, this supports something I’ve heard lately. Berjuan seems to be quoted on television or in the news as saying they created Bebe Glotun as an educational toy that teaches young girls the importance of breast feeding. Whether or not thats the reason, the website seems to support it and…what company is going to create a breast feeding doll for kicks and giggles? (surely not one with a PR department)
Do young girls need to be educated about breast feeding and is a doll the way to do it?
Breast feeding is one of the biggest health benefits you can give your child. According to Breastfeeding.com it can help prevent numerous diseases and infections, give your baby a higher IQ and its CHEAPER. No doubt, the more people who know this the better and certainly the stigma attached to breast feeding needs to be done away with. (Many commenters on blogs about Bebe Gloton said they felt that breast feeding is looked down on for being gross and “intrusive” when its actually necessary and incredibly responsible.
But is there no other way for young girls to learn the importance of breastfeeding than to breast feed a baby doll themselves?? Are we unable to push breast feeding through alternative means like “example” or through a baby doll that breast feeds from a mother doll? Do little girls need to know the importance of breast feeding and why does it have to be emulated on her…someone who doesn’t have breasts and shouldn’t be making a decision about whether or not to breast feed her baby for a really, really long time…
Well all be, no cliff hangers today folks, apparently I have taken a stance and I don’t support breast feeding baby dolls! Good to know. I guess I’ll remember this when they come out with dolls that help little girls “appreciate the beauty” of giving birth! Let me know what you all think and remember, August is Breast Feeding Awareness Month! (but not for children)
Good night and good luck…
P.S. Does anyone else think the little girl in the commercial looks horribly uncomfortable and weirded out?
