To think reborn dolls are disturbing?

[Hazel2323]

I've just ended up down a rabbit hole on Facebook of people into reborn dolls. What the hell. Ive heard of them before but never knew just how many people are into them and the extent the obsession goes to. Dressing them, doing newborn photo shoots. They are the creepiest thing I've seen in a long time and I just can't understand why anyone would have one. Some say it's a hobby. Some have it after baby loss. Either way it's bizarre and not healthy.
I also don't like that these people are buying baby clothes to dress a doll in and toys/blankets/cots/bottles etc that real families could actually use. It seems terribly wasteful.

I find these dolls bizarre, weird & creepy, but I’m never going to own one.

My understanding is that many of the women who do own them are either unable to have children or have suffered miscarriage(s) and / or child bereavement. They apparently find the dolls helpful in dealing with the resulting mental health issues, so who am I to judge?

@SirenSays Oh that made me cry, how sweet. Also @Evasmissingletter your post did too.

I think it's a thing people like and find comfort in, that doesn't hurt or affect anyone else. Some very judgy people here.

Try and find the pictures of the birth, even got a dr doll for the occasion and a hospital room set up. It really is something to see!

Op, why you would want to shit over the feelings of a woman who has lost her baby is beyond me but each to their own I guess. I find that far odder behaviour than someone seeking comfort in a realistic doll.

I think the odd thing is that this bothers you so much that you make a thread about it.

The fake bs reason of the ‘waste’. Of all the ‘eco’ causes to worry about, this is tiny. Instead I think this is just a dig at those that have these dolls, and when you know people say they find them helpful after losing a child, it’s very nasty to post this. You know that though.

I’ve seen women on tiktok with them, they often seem vulnerable, have gone through something traumatic, are infertile or have mental health issues and people like you post your ‘I don’t understand’ bollocks. Are you one of those mean girls?

Are you going to start threads on all the things you don’t ‘understaaaaaaand’? 🙄

Quite moved reading this. Bless her, who are we to judge?

Thank you for answering - diplomatically and informatively - unlike one poster.

All.I can say is that I have the greatest respect for people who care for people with dementia.

My daughter had 2, I was a bit weirded out at first but my daughter used it like a doll. However from the true likeness, weight etc and ours was eyes closed sleeping, I'm sure you can imagine the incidents we had when out and out with a doll buggy and dd picking it up with one arm etc 🙈🙄😂

It doesn't bother me at all and I don't find it weird. If it makes them happy so what, they aren't harming anyone.

Ha! My DD used to have a life size doll...size of a toddler...not a reborn one. Once we were in the playground and I was pushing my DD on the swing...when I went to lift her out of it, I dropped the doll onto the ground so I could use both hands. A woman from afar audibly gasped and looked horrified and I had to shout across the playground, don't worry it's a doll!

I don't have any feelings about other people having them but I wouldn't get one myself because they remind me of how my youngest looked when he was born, all floppy and not breathing.

It's not something I'm into and likely will never own but I don't judge those that do. I've never lost a child so i can't say I wouldn't want one if it happened. No one can judge if they haven't lived that life. I do find the dolls fascinating rather than creepy though. There are talented people out there! If only I was talented like that!

Of course they aren't safe for YOUNG children. However, if you have always been into dolls and carried on as you got older then these may be an evolution. I was trying to delve deeper into a previous comment that was referring to regular dolls and these dolls.

I have actually learnt a lot from this thread about dementia and child loss. Very sad.

I personally don't like them. People can't help how they feel about things.

If they help people it's brilliant.

You need to educate yourself about dementia as you clearly have no idea about it.

OP, you sound really nasty.

My sister has several and has children. They are works of art. I also have one and have never suffered baby loss. I love holding them. My sister changes their outfits and enjoys taking beautiful pictures of them. Neither of us pretend to feed them but don't judge those that do. There is a huge community of people that treat them as collectors items as many kits are limited editions and incredibly talented artists work their magic. Why can men play with RC vehicles, boats on lakes, gigantic train sets etc but these people can't enjoy this?

Yes it's very sad isn't it? Some people really struggle in ways that may be difficult for some to understand. Luckily many people reach out for these dolls as opposed to physically hurting others or whatever.

After my baby died, I thought about getting one which was the weight/size/look of him. He was so beautiful.

Just to be able to hold and cuddle something that was like him once more. He's gone, forever, I will never be able to hug him again. It's not rational necessarily, but a physical, visceral pain and ache for my child.

The idea of being able, in my worst and most raw grief, to be able to rock, wail and cuddle something that felt like he did was comforting.

You may think they are creepy OP, but you have no idea what it is to put your precious baby in a moses basket and then have to walk away and leave them knowing that the next time you get them back they will be ashes. You shouldn't presume or imagine what you'd do, because it is hell on earth and I hope you never experience it

If people aren’t harming anyone else then I don’t see the problem. They are just dolls, what’s wrong with people having them and dressing them up if they want?
People have lots of different reasons for doing things, who are we to judge?

It's here breaking you had to go through this. Sending you ❤️

I find them creepy personally but am glad to know that they bring joy and consolation to others.

I think the people that make then are so talented but I also get the creeps from them being so realistic. Always have, since I can remember seeing them in magazines. I dont know why though

And the wasteful comment is because I'm quite eco conscious and these plastic dolls, abundance of clothes etc is unnecessary. That's my opinion.

This comment is really scraping the barrel. 99% of everything that's in most people's homes is unnecessary. If the worst you do ecologically is own a doll with some clothes, then you're not doing badly in anyway shape or form.

How to tell me you have no experience of dementia without telling me you have no experience of dementia.

No but I have experience of other heartbreaking things. I've also said later that I have learnt from this thread.

So don't be so sarcastic.