It's true that I also fed a doll with a bottle when I was young. So in itself, it's probably not too much of a problem. However, it is the combination of factors I believe. The dolls have bottles, babies in children's books, on TV etc are bottle fed, for many children they are surrrounded by ff babies and never see bfing mums. In a family where mum is bfing, a bottle with a doll is probably less of an issue. But there are a larger number of children out there who are not seeing bfing regularly, or at all. For these children, bfing is not a normal activity and therefore they will be less likely to bf (or support their partners in bfing) when they grow up.

I agree with Caro to a point, that there is probably something wrong with most of the toys around. But I do make an effort to avoid the worst ones. And in knowing that the boys will be exposed to things I'm less than keen on (if not at home, then at play group and day care and other people's houses), I make an extra effort to ensure that the behaviour that is modelled for the boys is suitable. Because at the end of the day, what they play with and see on TV will have an influence, but nothing will overshadow the example set by the adults around them.

I love it when the other kids at day care (or elsewhere) watch me bfing. I feel like I'm doing a little bit to help normalise it for them while they are young. I am very proud that the 3yo DD of a friend (who was ffed from birth) recently "bfed" teddy in the playground. Both her parents thought it was because she had watched me bfing Thomas. Luckly they both thought it was a great thing that she has had that influence and is copying it.