Tools for this page
Print

My Baby Girl

(2008, Video Games - Simulation, Rated E, Play it on: Nintendo DS)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 6; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Polished infant care simulation is surprisingly educational.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Players who have never cared for a baby before will likely learn a fair bit about feeding, changing, and interacting with children, as well as various milestones associated with certain ages.
  • Messages:

    Players are taking care of babies so they must change diapers during which poop and pee are seen.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Part of the game focuses on shopping for clothes and dressing up babies to make them cute for pictures.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of My Baby Girl was written by Chad Sapieha

Parents need to know that this is a realistic simulation of baby care. Players are tasked to feed, play with, and talk to their virtual infants. They even have to change diapers and deal with cleaning up digital poop and pee. However, this level of detail means that the game can be unexpectedly complex. It's not really suitable for children who can't read well, or who haven't some degree perseverance. In fact, it seems at times, almost like a game made for expectant parents.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the degree to which the game successfully simulates infant care. Is there any aspect of the game that seems inauthentic? Is there anything the game is missing? Did it accurately replicate your own personal experience with babies? You can also discuss whether the game would be a useful tool for kids who want to be babysitters and for parents-to-be.
Did this review help you decide?
Do you play it? Review It!

More on My Baby Girl

What’s the Story?

My BABY GIRL (or My Baby Boy, should you choose to pick up its male-themed counterpart) is a simulation of infant care. Players start by customizing their child, choosing skin, hair, and eye color. Then the pretend parents begin looking after their newborn by feeding her, caressing her, and trying to get her to grab hold of their fingers (as embodied by the DS stylus). She cries and acts up when unhappy, and little love bubbles and stars appear when she is content. As she grows, play progresses to include diaper changing, dressing her up, and playing with her. You'll even get to take pictures and send them to her grandma, who will reward well composed images with gifts for the wee one. Close

Is It Any Good?

The game's depiction of infant care is surprisingly accurate. Players must learn specific ways of performing various tasks and pay close attention their virtual child's behavior in order to discern what she wants. When feeding, for example, you'll need to learn the correct angle at which to hold the bottle to ensure she is getting just the right amount of formula. Hold it too high and she'll take too much and spit up on her bib; hold it too low and she'll begin crying because she's not getting enough. You'll also have to figure out the proper way to change a diaper, including how to hold up the baby's legs, attach diaper tabs, and the proper direction in which to wipe to clean the mess (tip: don't go up). Indeed, kids wanting to practice babysitting and expectant parents can learn a thing or two about child care, not only from the game's challenges but also its virtual pediatrician and nurse, who provide guidance and information on baby development milestones.

In fact, the only real problem with My Baby Girl is figuring out who might want to play it. Outwardly, it looks like a game for young girls, but its unexpected complexity and lengthy text instructions will make many kids lose patience. And children old enough to fully understand the challenges and goals might be too old to have any interest in playing with what, in the end, is essentially a highly interactive virtual doll. In the end, it might be best appreciated by babysitters-in-training or parents-to-be; a decidedly niche group of DS owners. It's a good little game that, unfortunately, may never find much of an audience.

Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 11/4/2008, price $29.99, online enabled
ESRB rating: E (for Comic Mischief)

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Do you play it? Review It!

  • What did you think about My Baby Girl?
  •  I think this game is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 11 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0

    Fun Game is Mostly Fluff

    It's mostly fluff, but it is fun. Nothing wrong here, except it can get annoying when a bad parent doesn't take care of the baby and ALL it does is cry. But it doesn't cry much if you take care of it right. Also, the babies are multicultural and really cute.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    i think it is good and i think it teaches children how to take care of babies

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    perfect for 8+

    i love it but the nurse clara she kind of treatends you but hey my saying and another thing on one of the months hold on while standng the baby may fall on its face i think they should not have added that to my it is no positive

  4. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Wisconsin
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    Awesome Game!

    This game is very fun. I enjoy playing it and it's one of my go-to games.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    i laughed

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Offbeat family adventure may charm adults more than kids.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Must See TV

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Zany adventures are low on depth but high on imagination.

  • Member Buzz

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Sending Mom a TXT

    Is it easier for parents to communicate with their kids via text?

  • Download This

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    Dark, cool tunes OK for kids too young for the movie.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name