We've seen dolls that cry, dolls that drink and eat, even dolls that soil themselves. But now one Spanish toy company has come up with a controversial way of making their products even more authentic - a breastfeeding doll. But Berjuan has been slammed by parents who complain the bizarre toy promotes the sexualisation of young girls. Bebe Gloton, meaning greedy baby, looks like any regular toy, but comes with a bra-like halter top featuring symbolic flowers for the child to wear.
Breast is best: Bebe Gloton latches on to a flower-shaped nipple, emitting a suckling sound
Questionable: Some parents have labelled the toy as inappropriate for young girls
To play with the doll, it is latched on to the petals, where it emits a suckling sound, before it has to be burped to stop it from crying. The bizarre electronic creation, which was designed by Berjuan to promote breast-feeding, has sparked outrage among some parents who have branded the toy 'inapropriate'. Posting a comment after watching a demonstration video online, one user wrote: 'This toy would never work in the U.S. because the public would sexualize the act of breastfeeding, thereby deeming it inappropriate for little girl to engage in.' Another wrote: ' Honestly, I think this is awful. Now let me just be clear, I think breastfeeding is wonderful and wholeheartedly encourage it, however, it is completely inappropriate to allow a young girl to mimic it.
Novelty: Bebe Gloton retails at around 44 Euros but is only available in Spain
'Yes, breastfeeding is completely natural, but it is something that only adults do, not children. It would actually disgust me if I were to see a child using this “toy”.' Many parents however were happy to buy Bebe Gloton for their own child as a means of encouraging the natural process of breast-feeding.
One poster wrote: 'I think is great because there are so many teenage mothers like myself that won't breastfeed because of the way society has put it in their heads not too. 'it is the best thing for them and it promotes that its the best way to keep your baby healthy, and its free, we can use that in this economy today.' Another fan of Bebe Gloton wrote enthusiastically: 'This isn’t gross. What’s gross is a doll that poops.'
The life-like doll measures 19.6 inches long, the average length of a real new-born, and is available in either gender, retailing at around 44 euros.
It is available to buy in Spain but has yet to hit international markets.
Breast is best: Bebe Gloton latches on to a flower-shaped nipple, emitting a suckling sound
Questionable: Some parents have labelled the toy as inappropriate for young girls
To play with the doll, it is latched on to the petals, where it emits a suckling sound, before it has to be burped to stop it from crying. The bizarre electronic creation, which was designed by Berjuan to promote breast-feeding, has sparked outrage among some parents who have branded the toy 'inapropriate'. Posting a comment after watching a demonstration video online, one user wrote: 'This toy would never work in the U.S. because the public would sexualize the act of breastfeeding, thereby deeming it inappropriate for little girl to engage in.' Another wrote: ' Honestly, I think this is awful. Now let me just be clear, I think breastfeeding is wonderful and wholeheartedly encourage it, however, it is completely inappropriate to allow a young girl to mimic it.
Novelty: Bebe Gloton retails at around 44 Euros but is only available in Spain
'Yes, breastfeeding is completely natural, but it is something that only adults do, not children. It would actually disgust me if I were to see a child using this “toy”.' Many parents however were happy to buy Bebe Gloton for their own child as a means of encouraging the natural process of breast-feeding.
One poster wrote: 'I think is great because there are so many teenage mothers like myself that won't breastfeed because of the way society has put it in their heads not too. 'it is the best thing for them and it promotes that its the best way to keep your baby healthy, and its free, we can use that in this economy today.' Another fan of Bebe Gloton wrote enthusiastically: 'This isn’t gross. What’s gross is a doll that poops.'
The life-like doll measures 19.6 inches long, the average length of a real new-born, and is available in either gender, retailing at around 44 euros.
It is available to buy in Spain but has yet to hit international markets.
