[Novelafemme]

"Psychologist Susan Bartell, a contributor to babycenter.com, is "uncomfortable" with the doll in part because the 3- to 6- year-old kids it's intended for "are not developmentally at a point where they think about their bodies in terms of nurturing a baby. This isn't really something they should have to think about," she says.

But Sally Wendkos Olds, author of The Complete Book of Breastfeeding, sees the doll as "a lovely way to introduce the topic to little girls who are interested and curious."

Our society "has eroticized the breasts to such an extent that their true purpose has been forgotten," she adds.

Lost in all the discussion about the doll's cultural relevance is the fact that, at $69.99, it's a pretty expensive investment for a toy that doesn't do very much, says Marianne Szymanski, author of Toy Tips: A Parent's Essential Guide to Smart Toy Choices. "If you're OK with your child doing this kind of play, you can do it for a lot less."

I poked around a wee bit looking for more information and found the above. I have to say I wasn't as visually disturbed by the doll as much as I originally thought I would be. A "real" looking baby doll that attaches its mouth to a little, plastic, flower-shaped binky sewn to a halter-top. The baby cries when it's hungry and burps when it's done eating. I have to say that if this had come out when I was pregnant with my youngest, I might have considered getting it for my then 4 year old.

I totally agree with your thoughts regarding gross commercialism and capitalism, Anya, believe me! But, as a mom with pretty good common sense, I would have purchased the doll because my four year old really struggled when her little sister was born...as some kiddos do when another child enters the family. For a very brief time she reverted back to wearing diapers again during the day, threw big old temper tantrums, and had a melt-down when I needed alone time to nurse her baby sister to sleep. This doll could have made the transition a bit less difficult, who knows? Although, at $70, I might have been the one traumatized in the end!

Traditional heteronormative gender roles are problematic for me as well. Even though there were baby dolls in our house, they were only used as the pretend "victim" in a gruesome three stroller pile-up in the middle of our living room, or found soaking wet in the toilet. My girls both shunned the pretty in pink, baby doll phase of their childhoods. We had a plethora of toys for them to chose from and they simply chose others.

As for pictures on the internet. I'd have to see them for myself before pondering whether or not I would have done the same. I think many of us go through a trial by fire when it comes to learning a lesson about internet friendly information sharing. It took me a couple of times getting into "trouble" for sharing via the interwebs before I decided to be a bit more careful...especially where my daughters are concerned. What seems innocent to me can be taken and bastardized by someone else with ill intent in mind.

All in all, I don't think I have a huge problem with the doll. It's like many things in life...if I don't like it, I just won't buy it. If I have a fundamental issue with it, then I won't shop where the doll is sold. There is some power behind being a consumer.

Lastly, I want to add that breastfeeding is indeed a personal issue for many. I was incredibly sad when my oldest weaned herself at seven months. When my youngest was born she was tongue tied and we were instructed to wait until she was four months old before having her frenulum snipped. So that meant I had to pump around the clock if I wanted her to have my milk. And I did! I was part of a group of attachment parenting moms and babies and I'll never forget the day I showed up toting baby bottles. I was treated like I was the anti-christ and actually left the play group infuriated! These moms had no idea what was in the bottles or why I was bottle feeding yet they judged me in a heartbeat. I was so mad I was spitting nails! Fast-forward three years and I still had a nursing toddler who, just before I finally weaned her, stood in the doorway with one hand on her hip and the other pointing up at me sternly demanding her "milky time." It was a crazy 3.4 years but I loved it and feel very fortunate I was able to experience extended breastfeeding. My sister on the other hand, who has severe PTSD, made the choice not to because it triggered her OCD and made her extremely anxious. It broke her heart not to nurse her two kids but she knew she needed to be mentally well in order to nurture her kiddos the best way she could. And truly, a more wonderful mom I have never before seen! I could whip out my boob anytime, anywhere, slap the baby on there and go about my business. But then again I'm not the worlds most modest person and I have very few (if any) body issues. But I respect each person's individual decision, including whether or not to buy a breastfeeding doll for the child.

Thanks for listening!