Controversial breast-feeding doll raises early pregnancy fears among parents

Washington, Aug 6 (ANI): A new doll that allows young girls to breastfeed has come under fire as parents fear that it could promote early pregnancy.

Called Bebe Gloton, which means "gluttonous baby", the doll comes with a special halter-top for young girls to wear as they pretend to breast-feed.

Developed by a Spanish toymaker known as Berjuan, the breast-feeding doll can be breast-fed by the special halter top, which has daisies that cover the little girls' nipples and come undone just as easily as the flaps of a nursing bra would.

The doll makes sucking noises as it "feeds" and like many other dolls, Bebe Gloton can cry, signaling she wants more milk.

Although many health care providers promote the benefits of breast-feeding, parents around the world have criticized Berjuan.

Parents have said that the idea of breast-feeding is too grown-up for young children, and may even promote early pregnancy.

Dr. Manny Alvarez, managing health editor of FOXNews.com, said that despite supporting the idea of breast-feeding, he fears that Bebe Gloton might speed up maternal urges in the little girls who play it.

"Pregnancy has to entail maturity and understanding. It's like introducing sex education in first grade instead of seventh or eighth grade. Or, it could inadvertently lead little girls to become traumatized. You never know the effects this could have until she's older," Fox News quoted Alvarez as saying.

Alvarez said breast-feeding reduces childhood infections, strengthens maternal bonding and increases the child's immune system.

But he said that introducing breast-feeding to girls young enough to play with dolls seems inappropriate. (ANI)