A new doll mimics breastfeeding by responding to sensors placed on its owners' nipples

When I first found out I was pregnant with a girl, I had all the time in the world to sweat the small stuff, like if her room should be pink and would we allow Barbie dolls in the house.

As it turns out, her room is yellow because ultimately I decided all pink would be too, well, pink, and Barbie has yet cross the threshold, but only because my 2-year-old is so into Snow White and Cinderella right now that there’s no need to add another character into the mix. That being said, while I consider myself pretty laid back about what she’ll wear, play and surround herself with — if it makes her happy, it (mostly) makes me happy — I have no intention of inviting a breastfeeding doll to join the family.

A new doll that mimics the act of breastfeeding has hit the market — Breast Milk Baby. It allows kids to pretend they’re breastfeeding by wearing a special halter top that has two flowers with embedded sensors in the nipple position. When the doll’s mouth nears the flowers, it makes sucking motions and sounds.

Berjuan Toys manufactures the dolls and says the point is to teach young girls the nurturing skills they’ll need later in life. I don’t know about other little girls, but my daughter is quite nurturing with her dolls already, occasionally feeding, burping, cuddling and throwing them (which might not be so nurturing, but then again, she’s only 2). I don’t need her wearing a shirt with pronounced nipples to do something that will either come naturally to her or won’t when and if she eventually has a baby of her own. I mean, she’ll also need to have intercourse to eventually make that baby that she may or may not breastfeed, but I don’t think she needs a doll to hone that skill, either. Not everything needs to be learned or practiced 20+ years in advance.

Not surprisingly, the Breast Milk Baby toymaker is facing criticism, with some people calling them pedophiles and perverts and accusing them of endangering little girls. I’m not sure my criticism extends that far, but I can tell you if the manufacturer moved in next door, there’s a chance I might just keep my shades pulled during the day.

By the way, the doll sells for $89, and at that price, I’d prefer to stock up on an extra breast or at a breast milk bank before buying a Breast Milk Baby.

Would you buy a Breast Milk Baby for your kid?

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