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.

iNNoVAToVE TOOL~Draw PeRFECT BrOWs EveryTiME You ReBORN		$6.95	22m
Peaches And Cream Reborn Nursery NEW PROTOTYPE by Julia	24	$377.65	1h 14m
REBORN BOYS ROMPER SET	1	$14.77	1h 19m
Secrist Reborn Baby Kit 22" TEDDY NO RESERVE		$53.00	1h 35m
Secrist Reborn Baby Kit SQUEAKY NO RESERVE		$45.00	1h 36m
ABSOLUTLY LOVELY HAND CROCHED SWEATER BABY OR REBORN	1	$7.99	1h 56m
Reborn Berenguer now "Nathan" OOAK~Fake Baby N R	14	$56.09	3h 6m
5 inch Berenguer Open Mouth Doll Reborn or OOAK		$7.00	3h 11m
Reborn Baby Girl ~Christmas Baby~ by Karen's Kreations	-	$149.00 $199.00	3h 36m
Reborn Baby Girl "RILEY" ~ Karen's Kreations	-	$125.00 $149.00	3h 42m
Gorgeous Ethnic Reborn Christmas Baby Girl	7	$83.00	3h 43m
AMERICAN GIRL BITTY BABY MAKE OVER REBORN	1	$34.99	3h 44m