The Breast Milk Baby is causing a stir in the United States and being rejected by retailers, despite being named one of the most “socially responsible” products for children by Dr. Toy Top. The doll comes with a nipple-equipped halter that senses the doll’s proximity to the nipple and prompts it to start suckling. While supporters of the toy tout it as an educational experience and as a way for children to connect with their mothers, others are not so enthusiastic.
Notoriously conservative Fox News commentator Bill O’Reilly recently sounded off on the toy saying “I just want kids to be kids. And this kind of stuff, we don’t need this.”
The makers of Breast Milk Baby originally tried to achieve retail placement in the U.S. in 2011. Even after millions in European sales, the toy received resistance with some even calling it “creepy.”
“With retailers it’s been hard,” Dennis Lewis, the U.S. representative for Berjuan Toys told the Associated Press. “Not so much because they’ve been against the products. It’s more they’ve been very wary of the controversy.”
The doll comes in eight varieties featuring different skin tones and facial features. It retails for $89, but after the aforementioned resistance they toy is on sale for 50% off.
What's Driving This Trend
- Interactive Dolls
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop dolls with innovative features that engage and educate children.
- Parenting Simulators
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create simulators or toys that help children understand the responsibilities of parenthood.
- Gender-neutral Toys
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design toys that are not explicitly gendered to promote inclusivity and challenge traditional stereotypes.
Who This Affects Most
- Toy Industry
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore innovative technologies and features in the toy industry to create immersive and educational play experiences.
- Childcare Industry
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop tools and resources for childcare providers to aid in teaching children about parenting and nurturing.
- Education Industry
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate interactive and experiential learning tools in the education industry to enhance children's understanding of real-life situations.
