http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/04/03/the-perfect-or…for-your-childthe-perfect-organic-doll-for-your-child/
My daughter didn't get her first doll until she was about two-years-old, as I intended to raise her as gender neutral as possible and wanted to avoid the plastic baby/Barbie doll phenomena. My intentions were thrown out the window when I realized she was naturally a "girly" girl, and I discovered Waldorf dolls. I hunted for a doll that would match my green values and still please her. I wish I would have found the organic Bamboletta Doll available from Natural Pod.
Bamboletta dolls are handmade by a stay at home mama in Cobble hill, BC, Canada. Bamboletta means "little doll" in Italian, which is what the dolls' creator Christina Platt's father nicknamed her as a child. She creates her handmade dolls from organic cotton, carded locally sourced lamb's wool, and natural fabrics. Some dolls take up to 18 hours to complete.
Safely secured inside the tummy of each one of our dolls are three crystals – quartz, fluorite and carnelian – placed there to help produce a calming and grounding effect upon children. They are fashioned with serenely neutral facial expressions that encourage children to engage in open play, reflecting back to the child whatever emotion is timely and appropriate, whether happy, sad, or somewhere between.
The velour Organic Bamboletta Blanket Doll is perfect for young babies and toddlers, no matter what the gender. The soft velour is comforting, and the organic materials mean you don't have to worry about your child teething on the toy. You can even wet and freeze the doll's hands to ease teething pain or tie a teething ring in the doll's hands. The doll is also machine washable when using the gentle cycle.
If I had a new baby and could select one comfort object for my child, it would be this one! Not only do I find these Waldorf style dolls aesthetically pleasing, but the organic materials ensure my child will be safe when playing with this toy. I also am pleased to support toymakers who share my values. As Bamboletta dollmaker Platt explains, "I am delighted to be working with Natural Pod to distribute my dolls, as we truly share the same vision and enthusiasm for providing children with open-ended, natural toys that inspire children's play."
