Representation matters, and every child deserves to feel seen and represented in books, toys, and in media. Too often, children feel “othered” due to perceptions of what is “normal” being largely influenced by media. No child is born with low self-esteem. We all are our own worst critics, and that applies to children too! It is so important that we encourage self-love in childhood, and discuss diversity and differences in a positive light.
As parents, caretakers, and teachers, we can help ensure that our children develop a foundation of respect for diversity and inclusion.
- Give them access to children’s books that engrain ideals of diversity, inclusion, and self-love.
- Be mindful of shows and movies that they watch.
- Provide them with inclusive and diverse toys.
- Don’t be afraid to have these conversations EARLY on!
Thankfully, books on these topics are becoming more widely available and encouraged. TV shows and production companies seem to be more mindful as well, although adequate representation is still needed. Some toy companies are starting to develop more inclusive toys, like Fischer Price’s New “Little People” Bus with a boy in a wheelchair! But this seems to be the exception, not the norm.
Unfortunately, it is hard to find inclusive toys because the larger toy companies tend to produce what is profitable. Trying to represent ALL children is challenging because it is not profitable to put it frankly. For large toy companies, they need to mass produce their items to make a profit, but they may not have a large enough customer base in that specific niche for it to generate the necessary return.
Truth is, every child should have a selection of diverse and inclusive toys, because this is what will ultimately “normalize” everyone’s unique and beautiful differences.
Toys like this will help facilitate conversation early, so our educated children can then be that voice of inclusion and understanding in their classrooms and in society.
We truly need to make this more of a priority, and make these inclusive toys more accessible! Children with certain disabilities or medical conditions shouldn’t have to search far and wide for dolls and toys that represent them. They should be available in popular toy stores, just as any other toy is.
At The Butterfly Pig, we are doing what we can to bring representation to all children. We are starting with doll-sized medical devices, but we have big dreams to say the least! We completely design and create these medical devices and inclusive accessories ourselves, but we also have partnered with some other doll companies to bring you a curated collection of diverse dolls and other fun accessories and clothing.
Every single request we receive, we take seriously. I am constantly brainstorming new ideas, finding time during my daughter’s naps or after bedtime to experiment and design new products to better represent all children.
As you can see on our online boutique, we have been releasing lots of “ready to ship” medical accessories. We used to only have “Custom Inquiry Forms” available, but we wanted to make these products more readily accessible to encourage ALL children to have a selection of dolls diverse in appearances and abilities. That being said, if your child has a medical device that differs in design or color from what is offered on our boutique – please reach out!! We still do custom orders, and we may be able to make the product match more to your kiddo’s.
Currently, these products take lots of time and are being produced in small batches or even just one at a time. Therefore, we have not started a true “wholesale” option yet. If you are a retailer, or are just interested in bulk pricing, we do offer a slight discount in orders of 10 or more of a product. You can e-mail us at TheButterflyPig@gmail.com for any questions you may have!
Now I’d like to introduce you to some of our products, uniquely designed and created at The Butterfly Pig! All of these are available on TheButterflyPig.com/shop. I will try to update this post as we create new products as well, but the most up-to-date source will be in our online boutique, in the “You are You Collection” category.
All of our products are CPSC compliant, and we are a registered manufacturer in the CPSC system. The plastic products are made out of Phthalate-free and lead-free materials, and the plastic we use is actually a “plastic alternative” that is created with natural materials (often from corn!).
Doll-sized G-tube Button
A G-tube, or Mickey Button, is a direct connection to the stomach that is often used to administer medications or nutrition to children and adults that may not be able to eat orally (through the mouth).
We make a doll-sized G-tube button that can be sewn on a soft bodied doll or a stuffed animal. Our doll G-tube comes in 2 different options: Classic, which doesn’t open or “Pluggable” which has a top that opens for pretend play.
If you are sewing the button, please note that the button back is flat so it lies against the doll. Therefore, you will need to detach the needle after each pass when you go through the fabric of the doll in order to feed the string through the button back. A few passes should be enough to keep the button in place.
If you have a vinyl doll, you can glue these buttons on. However, we also offer a G-tube Vinyl Sticker option for easier application.
The Vinyl G-tube stickers come in a variety of sizes and colors so they can be placed on baby dolls, action figures, or any other hard surface toy.
The Vinyl makes these stickers more durable than a traditional sticker, but they are not indestructible!
This is a really great option for the vinyl baby dolls sold in our store.
Doll-sized Inhaler
Our doll-sized inhaler comes in 2 different colors, Aqua Sparkle and Classic Red. They both have a white “top” which is the pretend ‘medication’ that you can actually push down! This piece does NOT come out (maybe you could get it out if you are strong and determined, but that piece is not intended to be removed). My toddler snagged a prototype and was having a blast repeatedly pressing the top down…I have to admit it’s pretty addicting and it’s a fun thing to “fidget” with if your mind is busy like mine.
This inhaler is sized so it can be used with baby dolls or stuffed animals for teaching purposes or in play.
Doll-sized AFO’s and SMO’s
Doll-sized Orthotics! This has been one of our most commonly requested devices, and I used to hand-sew them out of vegan leather.
Our plastic version is much more realistic, and we’ve been adding some fun new color options recently! They “click” on from the heel, and it’s a pretty secure fit so they won’t fall off when your kiddo is dragging their dolls around everywhere.
The Velcro is added for appearances, and can easily be switched out if you have a different color Velcro at home.
The AFO’s, or Ankle Foot Orthotics, are taller and go up to the doll’s mid-calf.
The SMO’s, or Supramalleolar Orthotics, are ankle height.
All of our Orthotics are designed to fit Minikane dolls, 15″ Miniland dolls, and the Toyse/Belonil dolls with Down Syndrome features. These AFO’s and SMO’s could also be used on similarly sized stuffed animals.
We also offer some fun new colors, and limited edition colors not pictured in this post.
For kiddos that need to wear these braces, it can sometimes be a challenge keeping them on. We hope that having a matching doll or stuffie with orthotics will help encourage these children to wear their braces proudly!
Doll-sized Tracheostomy Tube
A Tracheostomy is a tube that goes directly into the trachea, which is our “wind-pipe” to our lungs. This tube can be used to help with breathing, suctioning, and more.
There are a variety of reasons why a Trach may be needed, aiding babies and children of all ages with their lung function.
Our doll-sized Tracheostomy Tube is made like a necklace, with a flat back and satin ribbon to tie around the neck. Therefore, it’s quite versatile in size of dolls and stuffed animals that it can fit!
Doll-sized AAC Device
Doll-sized Augmentative and Alternative/Assistive Communication Device. Tablets are commonly used as a form of communication for those who are unable to or prefer not to use verbal speech.
This doll-sized tablet was designed with doll-play in mind: featuring “milk,” “food,” and “potty” nouns, to aid in pretend play with dolls!
The handle is sized to fit around the fingers of the dolls, so it can appear as if they are carrying the device!
Although sized for the dolls in our store, this would also be great to use with stuffed animals.
Doll-sized Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implant Devices
These Hearing aids and Cochlear Implant devices are designed on a headband, so they can be placed on the dolls and removed as needed. The headbands are sized to fit 15″ Miniland dolls, Minikane/ Paola Reina Gordis dolls, and the Toyse/Belonil dolls with Down Syndrome features.
Although hearing aids are one of the more common medical devices used in childhood, it is surprisingly difficult to find dolls and toys with hearing aids and cochlear implant devices!
We used to create custom hearing aids to be glued on the dolls, but we have now created the headband hearing aid options so the devices can be easily placed and
removed by children.
From left to right is our classic doll-sized Hearing Aid Headband, Cochlear Implant Headband, and the “BAHA” Hearing Aid Headband.
Doll-sized Oxygen Set
Our doll-sized Oxygen Set includes an Oxygen tank and a Nasal Cannula.
Some children need oxygen therapy while in the hospital, intermittently at home, only during activity, or constantly. However, representation of kiddos that use oxygen is again a difficult thing to find in toys, books, and media. The doll-sized nasal cannula we created can fit on most noses of the dolls in our store!
If you want to confirm the nasal cannula fits on a certain doll style, please reach out so we can try it on and take pictures if needed.
Doll-sized Insulin Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitor
Type 1 Diabetes is formerly known as “Juvenile Diabetes” because it is most often diagnosed in childhood! Although not everyone with diabetes needs an insulin pump, these devices are life saving for those that do need them. The insulin pump is used to provide a low continuous dose of insulin, with the ability to administer “bolus” doses around meal times or when needed.
Our original doll-sized Insulin pump is designed to hook on the pants of a doll, and we provide a tegaderm dressing for adherence of the injector on the belly. We now also offer a button-back version, so it can be sewn on a stuffed animal or soft-bodied doll.
We also now offer a toy CGM, or Continuous Glucose Monitor. The “handheld” device has a faux screen, which displays the blood sugar level detected by the white CGM modeled to look like the Dexcom brand. This piece has a button back, so it can be sewn on stuffed animals. These CGM devices are most commonly placed on the back of the upper arm.
Doll-sized Forearm Crutches
Our doll forearm crutches are specifically designed to work with the 13″ Minikane/ Paola Reina baby dolls carried in our store. The crutch handle and stopper are made out of an eco-friendly plastic, and the shaft is made from wood.Doll-sized Central Lines
We offer both a doll-sized PICC line, and a doll-sized Port-A-Cath (PAC) button.
A PAC is an implanted device with a catheter that goes to the heart, so it is not actually visible externally (aside from a bump under the skin). As requested, we made a PAC button that can be sewn on stuffed animals – so even though it is not implanted, it is still a valuable teaching resource for children with these devices!
A PICC line is more like an IV – but the internal catheter goes all the way to the heart. PICC lines are often placed in the upper arm, and a dressing is required to keep them clean and in place. Our PICC line can be sewn, or attached with the provided Velcro strap.
Doll-sized CPAP Mask
Doll-sized Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Mask. CPAP machines are commonly used in cases of Sleep Apnea, but are used for breathing assistance in a variety of other respiratory conditions.
This product includes the nasal mask, face strap device, and 17 inches of tubing with a stopper at the end backed with an adhesive strip. The adhesive strip allows the tubing to be attached to the side of a real CPAP machine, to have the appearance that it is plugged-in/functioning. (Please note: it should NOT be placed anywhere where it could disrupt the function of the machine.)
An alternative to adhering it to the side of a machine would be to make a faux CPAP machine out of a cardboard box or other fun items! This is a great crafting opportunity for children. They can make it as ‘real’ as they’d like, or they could have fun with their imagination and go wild with glitter and stickers.
Doll-sized Baclofen Pump Button
Our doll-sized Baclofen Pump has a button-back so it can be sewn on soft-bodied dolls or stuffed animals. Baclofen pumps are implanted under the skin, and have a tube that delivers medication to the spinal canal. Our button is designed to be sewn on top of the doll or stuffed animal’s belly for educational play – not implanted like the true device.
The Future of our Doll-sized Devices:
Most of our inclusive medical devices are currently sized in a ratio to fit Minikane, Miniland, Toyse/Belonil, and American Girl dolls. If you are hoping for a doll-sized medical device that is not in our shop, please reach out! I am a nurse, so chances are I am familiar with the medical device you need and we will be able to come up with something that will bring you or your child representation.
We are releasing about 1 new device a week, so this post does not include all of our newest items! You can view our entire collection of devices are listed here.
Although most of our devices are now “ready to ship”, we can make most of the devices in other colors – so please don’t hesitate to email us to discuss at TheButterflyPig@gmail.com.
If you would like the devices to be sized smaller or bigger for other types of dolls, that is something we can likely do as well. Even if there is a device that you feel can be improved upon – we are completely open to criticism, requests, and comments!
We appreciate you, and your support of our business.