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AMA

I’m a reborn mum, AMA

163 replies

Chloefairydust · 04/09/2022 04:08

There’s a lot of misunderstanding and judgment regarding the hobby. Just wanted to see if anyone had any questions. I have one reborn doll, that looks realistic and weighs the same as an average newborn. I like to buy cute outfits to dress her up in. I find it incredibly soothing to hold and rock her in the evening. And sometimes like to take her out in the pram. I don’t see her as a real baby, I’m aware it’s a doll. She is a piece of art, much talent goes into sculpting and painting the reborn baby dolls. She is also a therapy doll, I suffer anxiety and the doll helps me. I work in a nursing home where I see the benefits of doll therapy with dementia patients. I’m also exploring getting into the painting side of the hobby…. Ask me anything? …

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CloseYourEyesAndSee · 04/09/2022 04:11

Why do you call yourself a mum of a doll if you know it's just a doll and a hobby? Do you think that helps with the 'misunderstandings'?

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Sleepygrumpyandnothappy · 04/09/2022 04:13

How do you respond when strangers notice that the baby in the pram is a doll?

Do you enjoy it when people mistake the doll for a baby?

Are they sophisticated enough to cry when you try and put them down for two seconds so you get the full newborn experience? 😭

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Chloefairydust · 04/09/2022 04:36

I call myself a reborn mum, as it’s just a term used in the hobby. I nurture and look after the doll. I also consider myself a cat mum, as I nurture and take care of my pet cat lol.

And I have never had anyone notice the doll in the pram is not a baby. People just think I have a sleeping baby in a pram. Most people just walk by, or briefly gaze at the doll and smile at me, occasionally a person will compliment my ‘baby’, if I’m in a rush I will just say thank you and move on. If I have some time on my hands I explain she is a reborn baby doll, and a therapy doll that helps me with anxiety. I have never had a negative reaction.

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Chloefairydust · 04/09/2022 04:41

And thankfully they never cry, sleep through the night like an angel, and never have poo explosions like real babies do 😂

so it’s all the cuteness of a sleeping baby without the challenges of parenting a real baby.

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GoldenGorilla · 04/09/2022 04:55

Do you also have kids? If not, do you want them? If so, what do they think of the doll?

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headstone · 04/09/2022 05:00

I saw a women today with one of those dolls but it was obvious it wasn’t a real baby due to its size and being in a pushchair. I did look twice but felt bad as maybe she’d lost her real baby.

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WeAreThePigs · 04/09/2022 05:02

Chloefairydust · 04/09/2022 04:36

I call myself a reborn mum, as it’s just a term used in the hobby. I nurture and look after the doll. I also consider myself a cat mum, as I nurture and take care of my pet cat lol.

And I have never had anyone notice the doll in the pram is not a baby. People just think I have a sleeping baby in a pram. Most people just walk by, or briefly gaze at the doll and smile at me, occasionally a person will compliment my ‘baby’, if I’m in a rush I will just say thank you and move on. If I have some time on my hands I explain she is a reborn baby doll, and a therapy doll that helps me with anxiety. I have never had a negative reaction.

Yes but cats are living beings!

have you got children OP? And do you feel socially connected in daily life? Ignore me if too personal

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Chloefairydust · 04/09/2022 05:15

I’m childfree, partly because of circumstance, but mostly choice. I love children and babies, I helped out a lot with my niece and nephew when they were babies (they are now teenagers😱). But it was always nice to hand them back to their parents at the end of the day. Parents to real babies/ children have my full respect, no doubt it is the hardest job in the world.

Im socially connected, I live with my partner, he’s a wonderful man. I have friends and a family.

and my cat is a living being, however I didn’t give birth to her, so I’m not actually her mother.

And yes many women have this hobby, for many different reasons. Sometimes it’s grief, sometimes it’s baby fever however the woman recognises it’s not a good time for a real baby. Sometimes infertility, and sometimes a woman’s children have grown out of the baby phase, and they miss holding a tiny baby. I find the newborn sleeping babies are more realistic than the toddler or awake dolls. The dolls also vary depending on the talent of the artist. Some are more realistic than others.

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custardbear · 04/09/2022 05:18

What does your partner think? Does he consider himself a reborn dad?

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Chloefairydust · 04/09/2022 05:26

He doesn’t share the hobby but is understanding and accepting of mine. He sees how the doll helps me and is supportive. I did once walk in on him holding the doll and rocking it like a baby lol, he quickly put it down when he saw me. But I think he secretly likes the doll 😂. He has an adult son from a previous relationship, and was a stay at home dad when his was a baby, so he’s got a nurturing side to him.

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WeAreThePigs · 04/09/2022 05:53

Thanks for replying

my son is autistic and is really attached to fishes so I know that anxiety can be eased by a variety of things - although I just can’t associate a baby with relaxation as mine were all such awfuL sleepers 😂

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Mumonthedge · 04/09/2022 05:57

How much did your reborn doll cost you?

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TabithaTittlemouse · 04/09/2022 06:03

Do you put it back in it’s box when you’ve got friends over?

Do you love it in the same way that you love a person (partner, sister, nephew etc)?

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CrustyCrotch · 04/09/2022 06:11

Is there anyone that you prefer doesn't know about your hobby, or do your work, family, friends and everyone you meet get told your hobby?
In short, I suppose, is there anyone close to you that you choose not to speak about it with?

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Chloefairydust · 04/09/2022 06:25

wearethepigs , aww bless him, I also keep fish, so your son and I have that in common lol. Also a very relaxing hobby.

The reborn baby doll set me back just short of £200. She isn’t the most expensive but still very sweet. Ideally I would like to save up for a silicone doll, they are around £1000 give or take.

I keep her wrapped in a swaddle blanket and safely in my wardrobe when I’m not cuddling her. Some women have a nursery set up for their collection including a cot or Moses basket ect.

I haven’t actually had the doll long, a couple of months. Only a few close people I trust in my life know about her. Which is a shame, I’m not normally a secretive person. But I know a lot of people don’t understand the hobby and judge women who have reborns.

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newbiename · 04/09/2022 06:37

You say you nurture her ? How can you ?

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MassiveSalad22 · 04/09/2022 06:46

Why can’t I get my head round this? That’s my question. It’s not so odd really, liking dolls. I think maybe it’s because it seems people really treat them like they’re real, but the dolls themselves give nothing back as a real baby would. So the person treating them as if they’re real seems a bit… not in the real world? I don’t know. But there’s nothing wrong with a bit of escapism is there?

Maybe it’s because they never seem to make dolls of cute babies, they’re always a bit ugly looking 😄 can you share a pic of your doll?

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Livebythecoast · 04/09/2022 06:51

Morning @Chloefairydust. I think if your reborn brings you comfort and eases your anxiety then there's nothing wrong with that. I've watched a few programmes about them and they're very popular in America - well the programmes I've seen have all been American anyway. I agree that the skill and art that goes into making them is incredible . However, I've seen the monkey reborn and that's quite scary 😂

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CrustyCrotch · 04/09/2022 07:12

There are some fabulous baby demons and other fantasy ones.

Some are grotesque, but others like a beautiful newborn, all sleepy and dressed in white, with just a hint of the the two little horns breaking through the skin.

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scrivette · 04/09/2022 07:39

Have you give her a name?

I love dolls, DD often gives me her baby doll to hold and I find myself holding her properly and rocking her without realising! I can imagine that doll therapy in homes would be very comforting.

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ZooMount · 04/09/2022 07:39

I get it op. I'm a mum of 3 (soon to be 4) and I can see myself getting one of these one day to remind me of the baby years. I don't think I'd take it out or have a nursery but I can see myself sitting on the sofa on a wet rainy afternoon and imagining my long grown babies in my arms - without the fear of them walking 😂

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scrivette · 04/09/2022 07:39

'Given'

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Sally090807 · 04/09/2022 07:52

You say only close people you trust know about your hobby so if you were out pushing your pram and you bumped into some friends/work colleagues would you feel a little awkward?

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Simonjt · 04/09/2022 07:57

How do you nurture a toy?

How do you feell about people who buy these toys that are designed to mimic serious disabilities and health conditions?

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saraclara · 04/09/2022 07:58

I was also going to ask about your use of the word nurture. What do you mean? You cannot nurture something that isn't alive. Your doll cannot grow either physically or mentally..

I do understand the help that you get from holding the doll etc, but the use of the word nurture makes me wonder about your perception of the doll.

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