A new toy doll that simulates childbirth has ignited a debate among parents, with some calling it "sick" and "triggering" while others view it as an educational tool. The Mini Mom & Baby Surprise Doll, created by ZURU Toys and available in the UK at Smyths Toys Superstores for £19.99, features a doll with a removable pregnancy bump.
Product Features and Reception
The doll is designed to allow children to remove a curled fetus from a slime placenta sac, which then reveals a newborn doll. The doll's stomach is also depicted as becoming instantly flat after the baby's 'birth' via a C-section, a feature that has drawn significant backlash. A video demonstrating the doll's features garnered over 7 million views and 6,000 comments on Smyths Toys' Instagram page within 24 hours.
Online reactions have been divided. Some commenters expressed confusion or discomfort, with remarks like "the postpartum bit is surely designed by a man?" and jokes about the doll's rapid postpartum recovery, such as "If only the baby just popped out and we had a lovely flat tummy afterwards." Concerns were also raised about the doll's suitability for children, with questions like "How is this suitable for a kid?"
However, many parents have praised the toy for its educational potential. "My daughter would love this! She's really interested in babies in the womb and it's a great anatomy learning tool," one commenter stated. Another, identifying as a C-section mother, found it "amazing" for explaining birth to children, calling it "educational and realistically correct."
Concerns Over Realism and Sensitivity
Critics, however, argue that the doll presents a misleading and potentially harmful portrayal of pregnancy and childbirth. Dimple Mistry, from Hertfordshire, described the advertisement as "extremely triggering" due to her own experience with a "devastating birth injury." She highlighted concerns about the unrealistic postpartum body image, stating that the doll's immediate flat stomach "bears little resemblance to the realities of the postpartum period." Mistry also noted that the depiction of the baby being removed directly from the stomach could give children an inaccurate impression of the birth process, as most births are vaginal.
"For a toy introducing children to pregnancy and birth, it feels like a missed opportunity to present the subject in a more accurate and thoughtful way," Mistry added. She believes that companies should exercise greater care when marketing products related to pregnancy and childbirth, given the sensitive nature of these topics for families who have experienced trauma.
ZURU Toys, the manufacturer, is known for other toy ranges, including Pets Alive, Fuggler, and Mini Brands. The Mini Mom & Baby Surprise Doll is intended for children aged three and above and comes with accessories like a swaddle blanket and bib. Smyths Toys and ZURU Toys have been contacted for comment by the Daily Mail.