Reborn Baby Dolls and the Women Who Love Them

1. xultar
   January 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 pm

   I don't see any black ones. What's up with that?
   x

2. CheeseDuck
   January 3rd, 2009 at 7:14 pm

   That is crazy.

3. SenorMysterioso
   January 3rd, 2009 at 7:23 pm

   It is sad. I think it is slightly better than when people treat a monkey or a dog as a child. At least here, no other living thing is being subjected to their obsession

4. violet
   January 3rd, 2009 at 7:37 pm

   VERY strange and sad. Not totally unlike men with Real Dolls. Just...yikes. I mean, the impulse to have something to love is not strange or sad, but the living inside this manufactured remedy for loneliness, I guess.

   Tom Hanks did it when he was stuck on that desert island, but that was a necessary device of mental self-protection.

5. myleti
   January 3rd, 2009 at 8:01 pm

   There was a documentary on these not too long ago on BBC America. The women would push them around in strollers, buy them expensive, designer-brand clothes, and one even traveled all the way to America [From England to Seattle] to pick up what she thought would be her perfect baby. When she arrived, she received her doll and after bonding with it for a while, she found a crack in the doll's head. She had a bit of a melt down and said the doll was ruined.

   One woman bought a doll to look just like her grandson when he was a baby. His mother moved him across the country and she missed him, so she had a doll made in his likeness.

   I slightly understand the empty nest aspect of this, but it's still a bit weird, in my opinion. To each his or her own, though, because who am I to stop anyone?

   [Sorry, this was a long-winded comment.

6. TheDiversePurse
   January 3rd, 2009 at 8:06 pm

   This is very creepy, but also extremely sad especially for the woman who had 7 miscarriages. I'd probably lose a bit of my sanity if I'd gone through what she must have emotionally.

   This also reminds me of the Czech film "Little Otik" where the husband of a barren woman makes a "baby" out of a tree trunk and she cares for it as if it were real.

7. ted
   January 3rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm

   It's the mothering instinct. Maybe if they gave these out to teenagers, they wouldn't have so many 15-yr-old mothers of real babies out there.

8. Phos....
   January 3rd, 2009 at 8:14 pm

   It's weird alright, but just think: Those people can go to the pub, Wxl*Mxrt, the Dollar Store, or wherever and leave the thing in the car with no worries about getting busted for child endangerment.

9. Idil
   January 3rd, 2009 at 8:16 pm

   I'm astounded that she doesn't put the effort into adopting a child.... it doesn't really make any sense, why would you want a perpetual baby? Having a child is not just having a perpetual baby... what about raising it? Isn't that what it's all about?

10. AndyIII
    January 3rd, 2009 at 8:17 pm

    I can't think of anything more chilling to receive in the mail:

    "You are cordially invited to Connor's First Birthday Party!"

    My how he hasn't grown, or breathed....yikes.

    Although it would be the perfect chance for everyone to finally get together for that intervention.

11. violet
    January 3rd, 2009 at 8:31 pm

    @Idil: That may sort of be the point--they're frozen in a specific emotional/mental place. They can't get out of it.

12. lakelady
    January 3rd, 2009 at 8:35 pm

    if you look at it sideways it's an interesting solution to an overpopulation problem.

13. liphttam1
    January 3rd, 2009 at 8:54 pm

    Strange but cutting down the increasing population isn't so bad.

14. David Govett
    January 3rd, 2009 at 8:56 pm

    Unless you are a parent, you cannot truly understand how important children are to life. The defining purpose of existence is to reproduce, and those who cannot or can no longer reproduce feel a purposelessness that is painful beyond describing.

15. AJ
    January 3rd, 2009 at 9:51 pm

    What's creepier is the sheer number of people who make these fake babies. It's a cottage industry. I write a baby blog and run into new "baby artists" all the time (never write about them though... what parent wants one?). Damn creepy.

16. violet
    January 3rd, 2009 at 10:23 pm

    Holy generalizations, David.

17. catsvillage
    January 3rd, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    terribly sad. we have one lady in our town who has one of these, she was known to be mentally/emotionally unsstable before the doll came on the scene. I watched a program from england regarding these dolls and all the women were middle aged or older, perhaps a clue. If my mother began this behaviour I would be deeply concerned. they don't think they are hurting anyone, but I would suggest they are depriving their family and community of the very emotions they place upon the doll, instead of other humans or real life that needs that love, attention, and care. I would rather see these women put their caring to the elderly, or animal shelters, other ppl in need, instead of some doll. i see this as emotionally disturbed ppl in need of some guidance. terribly sad

18. The Slapster
    January 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 pm

    @David: Really? Seriously?? That's interesting, becaues my Wife & I cannot have children, and yet neither of us "feel a purposelessness that is painful beyond describing." But thanks for making the human experience SO simple & easy to digest. Gimme a fucking break.

19. Rocky
    January 3rd, 2009 at 10:55 pm

    http://www.gizmodiva.com/other_stuff/yumelthe_healing_partner_doll.php

    Toys for grown-ups to simulate real babies are not a new invention, of course. It looks as if a crutch for that unfulfilled child-free life.

20. Rocky Rook
    January 3rd, 2009 at 11:17 pm

    My wife and I popped into the American Girl doll store. I was creeped out beyond belief. I simply cannot fathom why dolls are popular, but American Girl takes it to a whole new level. The mom purchases a doll for her daughter and then they take the doll to the store to give her a facial and such. Then they take the doll upstairs for lunch or dinner! There are high-chairs for the dolls. I saw a grown woman put a cup of water up to the doll's mouth ... the DOLL'S mouth for crying out loud. I just don't understand it.

21. Miss Cellania
    January 4th, 2009 at 12:16 am

    Phos.... think again:
    http://boingboing.net/2008/07/16/police-smash-car-win.html

    Rocky Rook, I had the same experience in Chicago about eight years ago!

22. artbot
    January 4th, 2009 at 12:35 am

    It seems creepy and a little "unbalanced" to me, but after seeing what some friends, relatives and coworkers have gone through in their attempts to conceive or carry a healthy child to term, it doesn't really surprise me that much.

    In some ways, it reminds me of those nature documentaries where an animal's egg gets stolen and it goes right on preparing the nest, storing food, etc. I realize that's more pure instinct on the animal's part, but I think the nesting/parenting drive is incredibly strong in many animals, including ourselves, even to the point of self-delusion and make-believe.

23. Leah
    January 4th, 2009 at 1:05 am

    We know a mother of 5 children who lost her youngest baby to SIDS. She had one of these very life-like dolls, and dressed it in her dead baby's clothes. She carried that doll around just like a baby. We did feel enormously sorry for her, but still, it freaked us out. About a year or so later, she finally stopped carrying it around all the time.

24. Dale
    January 4th, 2009 at 2:29 pm

    I'm a parent, and maybe I'm strange but my son is not the be all and end all of life; I don't mean that in a mean way, but parenting is just one aspect of my life and I'm not defined by it. These women obviously can't think of anything else to dedicate their lives to.

25. kate
    January 4th, 2009 at 5:33 pm

    this was on 20/20 the othr night, one woman took it out and another lady came up and thought it was a real baby,then said"oh,its so cold" and the woman with the baby had to explain that it was fake. The other woman,you could see, was a tad freaked out. But the reason she did it,she said,was for attention. She never had children and she said that she is disapointed when she takes the baby out and no one notices it. These women need help, or at least one of the babies high school kids get that actually cries at 4 am.

26. violet
    January 4th, 2009 at 6:26 pm

    @Dale: The best parents I know are the people who, before they have kids, you wouldn't immediately think "parent material!" about. They tend to have purposes for their lives before and despite their parenting, treat their children as individuals rather than possessions or extensions of themselves or second chances for failed attempts at personal meaning.

    If good parenting has as a component that of being a good example, then wouldn't you want your example to be that of a somewhat realized, complete person who defines his worth apart from his identity as a parent?

27. Evilbeagle
    January 5th, 2009 at 4:49 am

    Wouldn't it be better for these women to get serious therapy? Very creepy and on so many levels.

28. XuYu
    January 5th, 2009 at 4:50 am

    Maybe this is somehow healthier than keeping your stillborn baby in the freezer...

29. hooper
    January 5th, 2009 at 10:31 am

    I saw this on the news. These women are really sick. They seem to just want attention sort of like Munchhausen by Proxy.

30. Noelegy
    January 5th, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    Um...that's a really pretty crocheted blanket?

31. RebornDollHouse
    January 9th, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    As the top reborn doll site we see and read many posts on how emotionally disturbed people must be to collect these dolls. Even though we see them as an incredible art form and do not collect them as a replacement for filling some kind of void, we also respect those that may collect them for different reasons. Emotional or otherwise.

    As with many things in life, to each his own and as long as it's not hurting anyone, what is the big deal? Without knowing all the details of a person's life, it's difficult to judge. I can easily find people that collect matches or bottle caps strange, but that's what makes this world so fascinating... diversity.

    Cheers!

32. ButterflyMeadowsNursery
    January 11th, 2009 at 4:12 am

    Actually, I both make and collect reborn dolls - not as ''real baby replacements'', but as collector's items. I don't see it as any different than to collect paintings...reborning is an art form to me.

    I do appreciate that for some women there is an emotional aspect to this, and I don't have a problem with that. If it keeps them happy, what harm is it doing anyone? In fact, I would be honored if one of my reborns helped to fill a void in someone's life.

    Those that commented that there were no black ones -- you are wrong. See the link below for a photo of an ethnic baby:

    http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l165/kaydunne/kianna/kianna6.jpg

    -Tigerlily, Butterfly Meadows Nursery.

33. Steve Smith
    January 21st, 2009 at 1:23 am

    Hey xultar,

    You can find tons of black dolls on ebay. Just search for "African American baby doll".

34. diamond
    March 8th, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    i wont a adopted baby

35. Terry
    April 7th, 2009 at 5:35 pm

    I think the dolls are amazing and cool....I have one and cant wait to get another! We have been having so much fun tricking people...lotsa jokes on the family...LOVE the reborns.

36. Bernie
    April 18th, 2009 at 7:16 am

    I dont think its weird at all, in fact i think the artists deserve more credit for creating such lifelike looking dolls.

37. Joyce
    May 3rd, 2009 at 9:44 am

    Whats wrong in having a little fun I collect dolls and I have 3 reborns I also have antique dolls, Barbies you name it I have it I collect what I like. I also plan to start making these dolls, if you look at what you start with and after all the steps you go through to make one of thes life like babys you would see that it is an art form, so live and let live these people are not crazy they just have a passion for what they enjoy so shut up and quit bitchin.

38. Tracy
    May 28th, 2009 at 3:53 pm

    Well I both collect and make these dolls. I find them fascinating. I true form of art. I've also had a stillborn son, but I'm far from crazy, or trying to replace my lost baby. Nothing can replace my Josh, not even my second son, who is special in his own way and my pride and joy. After 16 years dealing with my lose, I have learned alot about grieving, and spend alot of time talking to mothers that have just lost a child, and I find nothing wrong with wanting a doll to resemble their lost child, its a 3 dimensional picture, not a replacement. However most of us just collect dolls because we enjoy it. Just like any other collection we do enjoy showing them off. No I am not one to take mine out with me, but who cares if someone does, what is it hurting. Stop passing judgement on people you do not know, just because you don't understand something, or its not for you, doesn't mean its wrong. And being that I am a mom to an angel, sometimes having something to hold of theirs when you find yourself really missing them, is very comforting. The first year after I lost Josh, I found myself falling asleep holding his hospital hat.

39. Sabrina
    July 1st, 2009 at 8:53 am

    First of all, please let me say I'm sorry for being so "late" to this discussion. Before being called a "troll" by mistake, I'd like to explain why I'm posting only now. The reason is simple: I don't discuss what I don't understand, and I really think world would be a much better place if more people thought the same way.

    My first reaction to the whole reborning idea was "ewww, creepy", maybe because of the way I noticed their existance or the stories people told me. But a few months ago, I was shopping toys for my kids (as you may see, I don't have an "unfullfilled desire of being a mother")and saw the most wonderful collector's doll I've ever seen. To make a long story short, I left the store with the kids toys and a doll for me.

    A little more than one month after the first doll, I bought a baby boy doll and, at the moment, I'm waiting for the arrival of my third reborn. And I have a lot of fun when I go shopping with any of them. Despite all the negative posts all over the internet, when real people see one of my "babies", they alway ask me to hold it for a while. Let's face the facts: if you are creeped by something, you run away, you don't ask to hold and say things like "awww, so sweet"

    I like babies and children, that's a fact. And I like dolls, the same way I like music, perfumes and videogames. If you want to call me a freak because of this, be my guest. But please, think before judging... I'm sick of reading comments like "why don't these women adopt a real child?". Again, sorry for being so straight, but I do my part in trying to relief (at leat a little bit) of the misery of the poor, sick and abandoned ones. The question is: are the ones who judge my behaviour doing their parts???

40. Judymae
    July 10th, 2009 at 8:44 am

    I don't underst6and why people make such a big deal out of these dolls. I am a reborn artists and sell these dolls. It really bothers me when people act like you must be crazy to enjoy them. The majority of woman do not change there diapers and take them out but if they do so whay are they hurting you? We all have our stress reliefs. Some have exspensive train sets, or like my husband a Harley motorcycle that he adds chrome to each year and polishs like a genie will pop out, my Mom collected salt and pepper shakers until there was no place to put them except boxes. I have seen people collect teddy bears and dress them. If it gives you peace in a world that is so critical and busy and don't hurt anyone SO WHAT. I see people with purple hair, earrings all over them and people who spend WAY too much time worrying about everyone else. We are so busy looking at the splinter in everyone elses eye we don't see or feel the beam in our own. Ya we may look and wonder but why critisize others for finding a comfort.
    I sold a baby to a woman who for 33 years wished she could of held who newboen son who passed away and bought a baby that finally gave her that peace. Her heart had ached for 33 yrs. She don't run around with it no but when the feeling strikes she picks it up, watches the telly and holds it cradled in her arms. Then puts it back. Is she crazy I think not it was driving her crazy for 33 years now she has comfort. Please examine our own collections of things, people and aches before we critisize others for finding a way to comfort themselves. I like to hold one at night while watching tv it is comforting and natural. Most just collect them as they are a beautiful reprsentation of one of Gods greatest gifts. Haven't any of you wished you could hold your grown child again? When I finished my daughtes replica and held it it was like putting color in a picture I had already seen, our memories fade with life so why not color them again?
    Judymae

41. Danielle R
    July 30th, 2009 at 11:39 pm

    What's so wrong with it? I'm hoping to one myself perhaps. Maybe these women are like me, and they aren't sure or are leaning towards not wanting a child. but still have motherly instincts and want to see what its like in a harmless way. I'd say its doing alot less harm then experimenting that by getting pregnant for real and finding out you dont want one, which happens alot and at younger and younger ages. and David, life is in no way "purposeless" without a child. I;d say if you feel that way, YOU'RE the one who got major insecurities, not everyone else who "not a parent and therefore just taking up space" (para-phrasing.) Maybe some of the people on here should get a hobby of their own besides judgment. I'm done. peace ya'll.

42. jenny
    August 2nd, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    i will love one like a real baby lol ooooooooooooooo
    yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees

43. jenny
    August 2nd, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    i will like one ok

44. jenny
    August 2nd, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    i will like one i will love one like a real baby

45. Sally
    August 17th, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    I have a webpage about these dolls, they are not creepy they are beautiful. http://reborn-babydolls.com for more pictures.

46. miranda
    August 22nd, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    my neice is way cuter than that baby.But really good job

47. Reborn Doll
    August 30th, 2009 at 12:08 pm

    These dolls are beautiful. I know to some they may seem odd but to collectors and hobbyists they are real treasures.

48. reborn babies
    September 3rd, 2009 at 8:42 am

    To each his her own. New articles about reborn dolls love to seize on the most meloncholy owner of the dolls and focus on that. I guess an article about people who just like making and collecting dolls wouldn’t be as interesting. When are we going to see an article about that sad grown man who can’t give up collecting new additions for his toy train set?
    I am a reborn artist and own the reborn forum
    http://www.rebornbabiesuk.com
    The majority of collectors just see the dolls as
    forms of art, and can appreciate the workmanship of the doll.
    doll collecting in itself is nothing new, reborns
    are the next chapter or generation of doll collecting.
    The amount of work which goes into making a reborn doll is huge. Each hair folicle is
    pushed into the vinyl one at a time. The skin tone is achieved using many, many layers
    of paint which is then cured with heat with each layer.
    I have been "reborning" dolls for some years
    My work is in what a call re~mourns, these are memorial portrait reborns in honour of lost little ones. I work very closely with SANDS and make sure the mommy has a lot of support, and is not looking to replace her lost angel with a doll.
    In all of my experiences in doing these, i have found the mommy finds great peace and truly is able to move on.
    Most Mommmies want a reborn to be the exact weight of their lost one as they are scared they will forget what it felt like to hold and cradle their little angel.
    I charge hardly nothing for these re~mourns, barley covering the cost of the kits, but the email that the mommy has found peace, or is sleeping better, or is finding life easier, cant be quantified by money,
    Cathxxx

49. Donna
    September 21st, 2009 at 11:44 am

    Hi.
    i read alot blogs on how creepy and weird this is
    i have not yet to buy a reborn baby
    but im 29 and i spent 7 years in depression cause i cant reproduce. those who have children. cant even begin to know the pain.. specially when some take it for granted..
    some mentioned adoption. i much prefer real child then reborn.. adoption is around 20k mark.. highly expensive and very long process.. not every one is accepted.
    surrogates failed me 5 times. they tend to be expensive. but mines was friends of family.

    last night sept 27,2009 i cried when i saw these realistic babies. pathetic to some.. but
    if you dont have one.. then this like second best to the real thing. i looked at baby simulator type babies but they dont look this real.. kinda bummed they dont have real baby syptoms and cries etc..
    but i have 3 chihuhuas.. i treat as my children.
    but you stil dont get the same pleasures as you would from this real like baby.. like baby clothes shopping.. taking them everywhere you go (dogs you cant) getting some graditude like real mommies have.. just to feel like women able to have child like everyone else.. just abit different...

    just think. if they gone this far.. next they make them so computerized you wont even tell if there real or fake.. cause they will move burp laugh cry etc.
    maybe grow idk

    so dont judge the reborn baby.. alot cant have kids and cant find away to have them.. adoption isnt easy process and not always will happen for everyone.
    not everyone has budget for real kid. which makes this one priceless laughs

    however i can afford real baby.. just not the adoption fees.. wanna know something creepy.. people give up there children free to adoption centers so they can turn around charge high cost almost buying mercedies..
    so find something weird creepy and wrong.. its the adoption centers not the reborn babies..

    Thanks
    Txangel_80yahoo.com

50. ryleigh
    September 27th, 2009 at 9:06 am

    love the baby. im hopeing to get one.i dont see why people cant love them like a reall baby some people cant have babys so thay get thes dont hate there cutt and u now it lol hoping to get one

51. ryleigh
    September 27th, 2009 at 9:11 am

    love the babys they looke real what is the matter if people love them like a real baby some people cant have babys so thay get theys dont hate if u cant get one lol im hoping to get one my self but not hem

52. ryleigh
    September 27th, 2009 at 9:12 am

    love them

53. Kirsty
    September 29th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

    I happen to think these baby's are wounderful. I feel some people should somethimes keep their opinions as thoughts. As some have said "you have to be a parent to understand" well most of the women cannot have that luxary and to say that isnt fair. I also feel if they're not hurting anyone and it makes them happy, whats the real problem? If these babies help women get over loosing a baby or not being able to have them atall surely they shouldnt be judged for it. It's simply their way of dealing with their pain and last time i checked that was allowed. Also these babies are beautiful artwork.

54. anndlee
    September 30th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    are you kiding me i wont one they like so real are you saling them and how much? get back to me

55. qtgonewild
    October 9th, 2009 at 5:46 pm

    I am 33 years old. I have ALWAYS wanted to be a mommy. But i am gay and so far havent tripped and fell onto a sperm pole and thus NO BABY. I have just received my beautiful little angel on wednesday. I adore her. I love her like a child and it doesnt hurt ANYONE!! So really i can care less if someone thinks its creepy. As long as i am happy thats all that matters. Everyone who knows me knows I got a reborn and they love her just the same. Yeah shes my daughter! GET THE **** OVER IT.

56. jackie horn
    October 9th, 2009 at 11:35 pm

    lifetime and have found a way to rememberholding a baby and the beauty of a remembered face. It has helped me a great deal to find some peace with my loss. I know she is not real anymore than my pictures of my children arenot but holding this reborn has giving me a chance to grieve.

57. RLC
    October 21st, 2009 at 3:38 am

    I own 2 of these reborn baby dolls and have 2 more coming they are at different stages of preemie newborn to about 3 or 4 months old, some with their eyes open and some closed.. I do not feel like I am a fruit loop for enjoying these dolls. I am a older woman have 3 grown kids and grandkids. This is a hobby for me. I have always liked babies. These dolls all have their own personalities just by how they look as they are all originals by different artists..
    I see men commenting on here who think we are weird and creepy. WELL, lets see men have cars they name and they spend a whole lot more then I do on these, they don't drive these cars as we don't want to get a scratch on it see them at car shows all the time.. My husband goes to wargaming and I know he has spent a lot more on his hobby then I do mine... Women are generally born wanting to be mothers, so I don't find anything strange about wanting to own a reborn doll.. Everyone wants something.. Nothing wrong with it..

58. leah
    October 28th, 2009 at 2:59 pm

    i love baby there so so cute and these look just like a really one cool

59. leah
    October 28th, 2009 at 3:03 pm

    kool ioove them i think i mite bye one now kool hehehehehehehehe so hi how ever reads this is sosososososososososososososososososososososososososososso kool lol bye

60. olive
    November 13th, 2009 at 1:13 am

    please, don't be over reacting about these. i do have real daughter. but i like to collect reborn babies. not because i'm depressed. but simply i like this piece of art. its amazing. i also collect porcelain doll's and painting's. if some how people related to them, just let them be.they doing no harm to you.just let them be. don't judge people crazy or sad. that's just mean and wrong to judge yet not knowing anything about it.

61. paula
    November 14th, 2009 at 9:33 pm

    hi im amother of three adopted children and six grand children i love the reborn dolls i have two a boy and a girl and a new baby girl i have always collected dolls but these dolls are special i hold them change their clothes rock them and i even made them a nursery im elderly and sick and lonely at times since i got these dolls i feel better i dont care what people think i find peace and enjoy them very much i will probably buy more no one will ever make me feel guilty or crazy because of my love for these precious babies

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