To think reborn dolls are disturbing?

Does it harm you in any way? Does your baby go naked, because someone buys baby clothes for a doll? Jeez.

Holding an opinion is one thing, passing judgement is another. That's what you have done and it's nasty.
It doesn't impact one jot on you but definitely matters to those on the receiving end of your judgement.

I have first hand experience of the enormous therapeutic value reborns can bring. My family member experienced extreme childhood trauma and subsequently a complete breakdown. Finding the reborn community was her way out of this intensely difficult period in her life. She cared for and loved her reborn babies and they gave her a purpose at a time she felt life was notworth living. At just 10 years old. The babies gave her a reason to go out, something else to focus on and prompted calming and soothing activities that reduced anxiety and sense of isolation.
They created a reason to connect with other people on line and inspired my relative to paint her own reborns- a highly skilled activity. She sold her creations to others and gained self esteem and confidence.
She is now an adult and the dolls are in her loft. She works caring for others and sailed through her child development studies because she had read so extensively during her period of interest in reborn.

I will never forget the distress people like you caused her by making faces, commenting and passing judgement in public when she took her reborns out.

Think on OP and try and think about things from a different perspective.

The person who said they're used for women with dementia to reassure them and stop the panicked distressing searching for their baby whom they feel they should be looking after - this is a genuine question - don't they notice they're not real, don't they notice they don't wake up, are you saying they repeatedly return to one moment where the carer says "your baby is here sleeping, let's gave a cup of tea" on repeat and never get past that moment?

I don’t think they’re creepy. I don’t want one but I can imagine why someone else might. It’s one of those things that isn’t any of my business if someone else enjoys it.

When I say "used to think this", I mean I used to think it was a bit weird. I never had the issue with clothes (because that makes no sense), nor did I feel as strongly as the OP!

Live and let live and all that.

I can also see why some people might find it a comfort - baby loss, infertility or otherwise,

Cooing not cooking!

The owners were regularly freaking out older women who were looking into their prams etc. for an indulgent cooking session over a cute baby - when they realised they weren't real.

One of the owners (blond curly hair) ... There was something up with her; she ordered a new doll, it had to be shipped from the US, they set up a weird "introduction"/first meet in a hotel and she noticed a very slight scratch or mark on the doll.

She fixated on it and seemed disproportionately affected and then I sister on returning it (it was custom made for her).
It was hard to get your head around.

Her husband was onboard with it all. I have no idea if they'd ever had any children.

I used to think this, but then considered why I was being so judgemental. It doesn't harm anyone, it gives some people comfort. People do lots of weird things, why is this harmless thing judged so harshly.

This is an awful read. I'll try compose my thoughts here but it probably won't be very articulate as I'm quite hurt reading this. Count your (judgemental) self lucky you've never lost a baby. I don't personally own one but I know how much my heart yearns to hold my baby again, I can actually see how much relief that might bring to someone in a moment of pain. Its not a long term solution but what harm is it causing you? You seem quite repulsed and having a very over the top reaction.

There was a documentary about them years ago.

Everyone really cares about what you think is and isn't right.

*what would bring you

Some of them look so real.

I find them unbelievably creepy.
I would find it hard to be in the same room as the most realistic ones.

And I find it veyr weird when people talk about them as if they are real babies.

Each to their own. Many things I don't like or want in my house that others like.

But I am with you OP. They are creepy

I agree, they are creepy ... but then, each to their own!

I don’t think you should presume to know what you bring you comfort after the loss of a baby. I’m grateful not to have been in that position, but I’ve friends who have and from the outside it looks like agony, they do what they can to get themselves through.

Comments about baby clothes etc, really, what harm does it do you? I’m big on the environment, but I’m not about to lambast or judge people dealing with severe emotional trauma.

Yeah I think they are weird. I also think butt plugs, dressing up as furries and people who eat a 100% carnivore diet are weird. But so what. Not my life. Not my choices to make. If it's not illegal and everyone is consenting then rock on.

Not my bag. Grim AF. But it seems there's a place for them so live and let live, I say.

@WhoWants2Know That sounds truly awful. Awful disease

Realistic dolls are also used in television and films to avoid using actual infants.

And for some people, they are just impressed with the realism and keep them as a hobby.

Lots of reasons.

Nobody is skirting around it at all

It's well known (and repeatedly acknowledged on this thread) that they are used therapeutically by people who suffer infertility, baby loss, dementia and MH problems including depression. The issue here is that OP, having had these things patiently explained to her, doesn't think anyone should own a reborn doll, because SHE doesn't like them.

I can never understand what makes a person wake up one morning and think "I know, I'll go on MN and shit on a group of vulnerable, suffering people who are doing no harm". Bizarre.

Lots of people with dementia experience "Time Shifting", which means newer memories are lost and their mind moves back to a previous time in their lives. For women, that includes the time when they were a new mother as well as periods where they babysat, cared for relatives or younger siblings and also when they were a child with dolls of their own.

At the same time, parts of their brain are often also sending warning signals that something isn't right.

The combination of time shifting and the feeling that something is wrong can manifest itself as extreme panic because the woman can't find her baby.

Imagine how that feels. Not knowing where you are or what is happening and the only thing you're sure of is that you have to get to your baby. I've known people slip out of their homes and go walking in the night to find their child (Who is now usually 40 and married) or physically attack someone who they think is keeping them from their baby.

That's where a convincing doll is important. Because you can say "Everything is ok, your baby is here sleeping. Shall we make a cup of tea before he wakes up?"

Years ago in my area a woman would take one out in a pram as you would a real baby.
There are dolls in care homes for people with dementia , which if brings comfort is no bad thing.

Op I think you should keep your opinions to yourself in this case, because you're being judgemental. As others have pointed out, usually the reason people have these dolls is trauma and loss. Don't be a bitch

It's one of those modern-day things were we have to skirt around the real likelihood the person has mental health issues.