Baby Dolls - Why Only Pink?

I find this question very interesting. The social norm is that dolls are for girls. It appears that you choose to go against this norm, yet you give into the "pink is for girls" norm.

I'm not trying to be argumentative, as I went through a similar thought process a couple of years ago when my son was about the same age. I ended up buying the cheapest doll. It happened to have a yellow and pink frock. So what? My goal was to teach him about caring for others and give him the opportunity for some roleplay and make believe. Goal accomplished. I got my son an Ariel Barbie for this Christmas, and he'll be 4 in January. He told me a couple of weeks ago that Barbies are for girls, and I challenged him by asking why can't boys and girls can play with whatever toys they want? He told me that the older girls at his school told him that he couldn't play with the Barbies when he asked if he could play with them. Sigh. IMO, society and hormones will teach my son enough about how to be a strong man in the world. But to be a leader, he needs to have at least one safe place to explore and challenge stereotypes and social norms.

As far as gender-neutral or boy dolls, sounds like you got some good suggestions earlier. Good luck and happy shopping!

My Mother got my son a Boy Cabbage Patch doll for his 1st Birthday, I was 6 months pregnant and like you hoped it would "help" My understanding was it was a little pricey, and difficult to find. Maybe the difficulty was that she was determined to get a "Cabbage Patch" brand...who knows.

http://www.thingamababy.com/baby/2010/06/babygogo.html

Walmart has boy baby dolls. Also, check thrift stores and garage sales. In general, dolls are non-gender. Buy whatever clothes you want. Most 18in baby dolls can wear 0-3mo baby clothes. You can buy a whole wardrobe for $10.00... if you want a VERY "real"feeling babydoll, check out Lee Middleton dolls.

Oh, I wished you lived closer - I have two baby dolls that were given to my daughter. They are so big that they can wear size 6-9 mo baby clothes (which you probably still have :). She got them the same Christmas (from both grandparents), so I dressed one like a boy and gave it to my then 3 yr old son! I think they were bought at Walmart, but I haven't seen them there since. I still have them and am looking to get rid of them. If we worked something out for shipping, I would give them to you for free - just want them to go to a loving home! message me with your email and I can send you pics if interested. We also used them for a diaper game race for my BIL baby shower since they are "life size" Hilarious!! (non smoking home FYI)

I didn't read your responses, but you can get boy dolls online pretty easily - though this time of year, the boll dolls seem to evaporate (I hope it's because they sell out).

A search for Cabbage Patch boy doll turns up some options on ebay. Good luck!

look in to a more natural form or doll (waldorf dolls), novanaturals toys, hearthsong... etc. They are more expensive but really sweet, soft and realistic. They come in boy/girl/gender neutral/ and you pick out which skin color, eyes, hair color matches your child if you want.

I feel for you! I went through the same thing with my son. I ended up just getting one in pink, and changing the cloths, because I was in the UK and was very limited. If you can find one, cabbage patch makes very cute boy dolls and cloths.

I have boys and we got cabbage patch dolls-- you can get boy dolls with boy clothes and accessories. Thats what we did and it helped alot--- my little one loves his "son" he sleeps with him and doesn't want to put him down!

Molly

You've gotten some great suggestions.....There is also a doll that used to be made/sold exclusively in Italy, but is now available at Toys R Us...he's called Ciccobello. I just got him for my 5 yr old son. My son LOVES being a big brother but to help him not feel the need to constantly hold his little brother and change him/feed him/etc. I got him this little boy doll for Christmas this year. He pretty interactive too...he runs a fever (and his cheeks get red) and you have to give him a shot (which the doll comes with) to make him feel better...He also comes with three baby bottles and when he drinks from them he makes baby slurping sounds. He cries/whimpers when he's hungry or when he's "sick" and then your little guy has to work to make him feel better. He runs between $40 and $50 though....might be a little pricey for a boy so young. Otherwise, I think the idea of buying a girl baby doll and changing the clothes (you can even do this before giving it to him.....just change her/him and box it back up) is a GREAT idea.....only wish I'd thought of it first before shelling out the money for this doll...But like you, I was desperate to find a BOY doll amoungst the shelves of girl dolls.

It is hard. I have seen boys at Wal Mart I think and maybe one or two at Toys R Us. Jen made a good suggestion of just changing the clothes. The doll my daughter likes the best is called Little Mommy by Fisher Price and although they are look sort of girly, hers came with a fairly gender neutral onesie on so maybe look at those too. Even the boys that come to our house love her babies and they all look like girls, so, worst case scenerio get a girl and he will still probably love it!

American Girl or waldorf dolls have boy dolls

I forget what they're called, "Baby Newborn?"
My daughter had two of them and they look just like newborns. Newborn baby clothes fit perfectly.

I hope you get some great suggestions.

I don't know if they still carry them, but a few years ago Cabelas carried baby dolls that were geared more towards boys. You may check there and see what they have. I would also check amazon.com. I remember when we were expecting my daughter I checked there and found some good options. (But he started acting out baby scenarios with his potty time Elmo and I decided not to get him the doll. )

WE LOVE Manhattan Toy's dolls, they actually have a boy doll with binky: http://amzn.to/f4SOsP

They wash and hold up SO well! They have a couple of other options as well that are more boy orientated as well:
http://amzn.to/fFEvJW
We bought ours on Amazon and it shipped super quick and our little one, who is preparing to be a big sis in April, can not get enough of her baby!

I make custom boy dolls and sell on Etsy! I can make htem with a flannel body in any 'favorite' like trains, trucks, dinosaurs, whatever flannel you can think of! Message me if you'd like my Etsy address!

I agree with the Cabbage patch dolls, if you can get one. My nephews had one..the older had it new then passed it down to hsi litlte brother many years later. The doll came with the name Neil and he was well loved. Both boys are great daddies now!