I agree. My partner and I have just looked up the prices of these babies out of curiosity (I DON’T WANT ONE!). For just under £300.00 you have one of these babies to dress up and play with. I would rather have another cat as I also think that they look dead. I feel that it is sad that some women will not be able to disassociate these fake babies from the real thing and could be opening up a whole new mental problem for themselves. Very sad.

ok, I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion and everything but I dont think it’s fair to call it ”a mental problem” I dont see anything wrong in having one of these dolls if these people cant have babies then I guess it might be a pretty good substitute.. if these dolls make them happy then that has to be a good thing right?.. I dont think you should go labelling them as mentally ill! ..each to there own, you know?
I would probably even have one if it wasn’t for the price! I think they’re actually quite cute to have around the house.. I wouldn’t go taking it our for walks or anything.. I guess it would just be like having ‘a pot doll’.. and whats wrong with that? are you going to start labelling people with these dolls as mentally ill next?? .. on the other hand though, a few of these dolls do look a little bit odd in ways.. but that is only because these artists that have created them are very talented and have made the dolls adding even the smallest of details to them.. because some people might want a life like doll ..anyway, my point is.. dont judge or label people just for wanting to be happy.. everyone is allowed to have that little something that makes them smile… and if that is a doll then so be it! at the end of the day, it isn’t hurting you is it.

I think it’s like watching young girls playing mum with dolls houses and tea party’s etc-. One lady really freaked me out, who ended up spending ££££’s on outfits for what are essentially dolls. She really worried me especially as her need for perfection seemed pathological!!….

I think the lady who created a substitue for her Grandson was dealing with issues of loss and grief, so she’ll probably abandon it eventually once she processes these issues…

All in all, I think it’s slightly strange and would be concerned if I saw a buggy with aa “reborn” in it!!!!

Well I watched the channel 4 programm Fake Baby out of curiosity. I found if fascinating that grown women would take one
out in a pram and pretend it’s a baby, particularly, the lady who went to America to collect her “BABY and taking all the gear with her. Why not get it posted. What was she thinking!!! We all collect objects but this pretence is surely something lacking in their lives i.e real life babies. Why not have one then!!!

Good on these women for showing us what comfort and joy these babies bring to them. Us as a whole tend to judge others too quick and we all usually tend to follow the same suit. I wont!! I think these ladies are perfectly normal, not mad or lacking in anything whatsoever. They just need to express their inward feelings to something, like most of us do with our kids or a cat or a dog, these babies really are a huge part of their family life. Why should they be classed as mad?? If i was to see a fake baby out in a pram i would be intrigued and also very tempted to go buy one, and i am not mad, i am a very stable and happy person, so quit tagging these women, more of us should buy them and let ourselves be free and to hell with what people have to say. At the end of the day, if it makes one happy and fulfilled, why not?

Well said Jan, I have just started collecting reborn’s and have sculpted a few. I plan on starting reborning myself too. I am a normal woman of 38yrs, have three wonderful children who I love very much (the youngest being 2yrs). I am so much happier now than I have been in a long time I dress them in pretty outfit’s and they sit in a chair in my living room or in an old pram. I like the way they look pretty and don’t mess there clothes(unlike real babies). Also I knit, crochet and sew and use them as models. It is another art form do you not think that if these materials (vinyl and silicone) were around in Michaelangelo’s time that he would not have used them to sculpt with (because they would be too realistic and “spooky”). And collecting them is like any other collection, stamps,teapots,car’s (if you are rich). Of course some people have other reasons for getting one like they have lost a child but it does not make them mental just happier and more able to cope.

Hi, I have read a few of these entries, and I too watched the Channel 4 Programme the other evening. I have to say that whilst watching the show, I was a little shocked on the obvious connection that some women seem to have with these dolls (for want of a better word).

However I decided to take a look on the internet myself, and to my amazement, I found myself liking what I saw. Dont get me wrong I can fully understand people not liking them at all, to be honest some of them look like Chuckies bride and are quite horrible, and frightening to look at.

I think like eveything in life, some people like them, some dont!
Some people may collect them, just like thousands of other harmless collections around the world, and others may take to (what most would call) the extreme. (they’re choice!…no-one elses!)

The one thing that we can all agree with I think is that there are some fantastic artists out there!

I say take pleasure in what you can!

If something makes you happy without harming anyone else, then you go for it!

i think the babys are really cute i would love one if i had the money to buy one.i would love a girl one

I also watched the programme, and to be honest i did think these women were abit sad especially when they were buying prams and expensive clothes. for the dolls not to mention taking them out for walks. on the hand i do like the dolls and did buy one for my little girl which she is besotted with . i think there ok for little girls who love babies or for people who collect them but for those women i think they need counselling.

I can see it as being an art form. People who create these dolls are very talented and everything. But isn’t it slightly peculiar? I don’t think they are mentally ill but i do think it’s abnormal. The lady who had a grandson in Austrailia was coming to terms with her loss, but if i found out someone had a model of me as a child i’d be a little disturbed. If it makes them happy i guess it’s their choice but i don’t think it’s a natural habit.

hi im a reborn artist, and beleave me, there are so many reasans the ladys buy them, some ladys have lost babys and want a reborn in remembrace of their child, other to look at. and somme are just collecters like as you would with any hobby. some buy for dressing and cuddles, as some lady cannot have children and want that feeling as a mother, its instinct.but for what ever reasan they buy the reborn its not any one buisness but theirs. life is short and god knows if it brings a little happiness whos it hurting. i myself just love reborning these babys, i feel i bring a little happiness into these ladys life. regards karen.xxx

I have just watched a rerun of the programme. I have to admit, I did find it a little disturbing that these women were giving the dolls a human attribute. I (and my mother) collect porcelain dolls for the aesthetic value and some of these can be very lifelike as well. However, we are well enough adjusted to realise that these are dolls and not human!!! I have to admith that having looked at a couple of webistes, I am very tempted to buy one of these reborns. I will certainly not be taking it out in a pram, or dressing it up, however!

My god what the hell is going on, most of these need professional help not lumps of rubber that look like they should be in a horror film. Sure theres no harm in what they are doing but come on, if you saw a woman pushing one of these around you would think she’s nuts. Just amazes me what goes on in this world.

This is the first time I have EVER posted something on the web, but I feel quite strongly that some people have not really grasped what reborn dolls can be about. I own two reborn dolls and have bought my Granddaughter,Hollie, aged 11, one for a present.I’m not sure who gets the most pleasure out of the “babies”, me or her! I love dressing them up,and spend many a happy hour scouring charity shops and flea markets for “bargains” that would look good on my “babies”. I had sons, not a daughter, and, I have to admit, I am probably treating these dolls as a substitute daughter, however, it was Hollie who got me hooked! She comes to my house every week after school and we “play babies”. She treats them as if they were real and, I have to say, I think it does no harm at all and, quite possibly,teaches her how to handle a baby. She is under no allusions, though, she knows that a real baby cries etc. We take out her favourite “baby” as often as we can, in a pram, in clothes that Hollie has chosen, depending on the weather. We get stopped wherever we go as people think Isabelle (the reborn) is real! It’s a great icebreaker in communication, almost everyone we see think its a wonderful concept, and, I have to say, it is hard to answer their questions as Hollie likes to imagine they are real! We are quite often asked how old the baby is, which is difficult - we usually pause for a moment and them tell them that the baby is a doll - few people believe us! Neither of us are under any illusions - the “baby” is not real, but, I think, what we are doing is laying down foundations for a wonderful Grandmother/Granddaughter relationship. We often look on Ebay at other babies and we have become quite critical - we now know exactly what a reborn should look like! I have now started reborning myself and I have to say I have never had such a wonderful hobby! The pleasure I get from this far outwieghs anything I have ever done in the way of hobbies. All I can say is ” LONG LIVE REBORNING!!!”

I bought a reborn doll, not because theres something wrong with me!! I’m an avid doll collector, i see it as an investment. I see these dolls as worls of art. I bought mine at www.rawlinsreborns.com it’s gorgeous!

I have really enjoyed reading all of the above. I have just bought my first reborn mostly because I have two granddaughters who are ‘into’ dolls but I must say I rather like the look of this doll. I am delighted with the detail and although I would not feel comfortable in taking it out for a walk I do enjoy the occational cuddle. They are fantastic pieces of art and no one who has one should be made to feel odd just because they have one. If more people could show their feelings without the fear of being ridiculed then there may not be a need for these dolls. Any way I’m not bothered what people think, as it makes me feel young, playful and alive. What wrong in recapturing your youth. . nothing.

Hi,I’m a mum of two wonderful daughters,I love them both to bits. I first came a crossed reborn’s dolls on ebay. These ladies who make them,well to me are true artists and are very talented. I have a few reborn dolls my self & would truly love to be able to make them. There is nothing at all wrong with people collecting them. Everyone to themselves ! Doesn’t mean we are crazy or sad or there is something wrong with us !!! How many people collect things or are crazy about a thing they like,teddies,Doc who dolls or them trolls etc !! Its not hurting anybody else,so go for it !!!!
And if it brings some comfort to some people,then that’s good in my eyes

Hugs Helena x