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.

6" CURLY DOLL WIG 4 5" 6" 7" 8" GINNY OOAK BABY REBORNS	2	$3.99	18m
BABY SLIPPERS SHOES FOR YOUR 18-22" REBORN OR BABY GIRL	8	$15.75	18m
0-3 mo BABY DRESS SET BABY CROCHET REBORN OOAK DOLL	-	$14.95	32m
KNITTED WHITE 4 PC 0 3MTHS 19 21"REBORN	-	$13.47	33m
PRO HAIR ROOTING TOOL 4 REBORN BERENGUER Instructions		$11.99	38m
White Chenille Reborn Baby Doll 2 PC.Diaper Set~		$12.00	41m
Shipping Now-Vinyl Reborn Doll Twins by C.Taylor L.E150		$139.95	45m
Reborn Peyton Doll Display Cute	2	$29.99	49m
PREM DARK BROWN ANGORA MOHAIR ROOTING REBORN bonze1313	10	$16.48	52m
LOUISE Reborn 24" Baby Girl FIORENZA BIANCHERI NO RES	-	$249.00	56m
Vintage 60s Wooden CASS Baby DOLL BED Reborn Photo Prop	1	$39.99	1h 6m
Sweet Reborn ELLY KNOOPS DAPHNE Baby TINYSPROUTS	4	$464.99	1h 8m