Baby Dolls Reborn

What is a Reborn Doll?

A reborn doll is a vinyl baby doll that has been enhanced to resemble a human baby. The process of creating a reborn doll is referred to as reborning. The technique of reborning has evolved over the past five years with heat set paints and oils being the most used amongst artists.

Basic Reborning Methods

The technique of reborning a play doll typically involves the following processes:

1. The doll is taken apart and factory paint is removed.

2. A purple color wash is applied to the inside of each vinyl part to give the appearance of realistic baby skin under tones.

3. The exterior is painted using various techniques to add to the appearance of translucent skin tones, with effects such as veins, blotching, and "milk-spots" to resemble the skin of a newborn baby.

4. Hair and eyelashes, usually fine mohair or human hair, are applied using rooting tools and felting needles strand by strand, which can take up to 30+ hours per head.

5. The original vinyl body is replaced with a soft stuffed and weighted body.

6. A magnet may be attached inside the mouth for attaching a magnetic pacifier.

7. Additional enhancements may include a magnetically attached "umbilical cord", a battery powered heartbeat simulator, breathing simulator, and heat packs.

8. Once completed, the reborn doll is no longer suitable as a child's play doll.

Collecting Reborn Dolls

The completed dolls are popular among adult female collectors, who buy them on eBay or from doll artists ("Reborners"). A Channel 4 series in January 2008, My Fake Baby, explored the lives of women who collect the lifelike baby dolls.

Knitted OPAL LACE PRAM SET for 16"-18" REBORN BABY GIRL	7	$40.04	15m
Reborn ~ Baby Coplin ~ Soft Vinyl Kit - Aleina Peterson		$49.95	15m
DREAM 0-3 MTH BABY GIRLS DOLLS LACE DRESS REBORN 20-24"		$24.63	16m
DREAM NEWBORN BABY GIRLS DOLLS LACE DRESS REBORN 17-19"		$23.09	16m
Paradise Galleries JOSH Baby Boy Doll Reborn or Play	13	$15.01	16m
Exquisite Reborn doll baby girl ~SUZZY~ Must C!	-	$492.83	18m
Reborn Baby Girl! Dressed in Yellow! Sleeping!!	-	$88.99	26m
Reborn Little Baby Boy! Wispy Hair! Premie!!	-	$48.99	27m
DREAM NEW BABY GIRLS DOLLS DRESS SET reborn 17-19"	3	$17.05	28m
Paradise Galleries WILLAM Baby Boy Doll Reborn or Play	5	$7.49	35m
CLOTHING FOR REBORN & BABIES - SIZE 0 TO 12 MONTHS LOT5		$12.00	35m
Toby Morgan "Raine" Realistic Baby Reborn Kit		$20.00	35m