What do you think of reborn dolls for adults and are they a waste of money?

[Notsure54]

I'm considering buying one for anxiety as I do like babys but are they truly worth it?

Their not fake dead babies ! I quite like them but wouldn't buy one. I once saw a woman walking through town with one holding it like a real baby

Well it was me that said I work in a funeral home, and have seen many of them.

Thats why I don’t like the dolls.

Creepy

They’re awful. I would prefer to buy a teddy bear instead. 🧸

Well I'm not on Tiktok.

It's so unnecessary to spell out what the reborn baby looks like why feel the need to ?

The OP asked for opinions on whether they were worthwhile and I don't see how talking about dead babies is helpful to what she is asking anyway.

Agree

I think that they, and all dolls, are creepy. Therefore I do think that they are a waste of money. But if someone else doesn't think they're creepy and wants to buy one then it's not for me to say it's a waste of money because it's not my money.

I do have a Jellycat werewolf who sometimes sits with me if I'm feeling anxious.

Because it’s impossible to discuss reborn dolls without also discussing infant death.

As the aim of them is to recreate that.

What am I missing?

My friend lost her baby last year and I can guarantee someone parading a reborn around would devastate her.

It’s not healthy, it’s antisocial and it could be incredibly triggering for someone.

I find reborn dolls weird & creepy. I would never dream of having one in the house.

I would assume that those who do have them are sadly suffering serious mental health issues following bereavement, stillbirth etc. If so, those women have my sympathy. If they find the dolls helpful or comforting then, as the late pope Francis would say, who am I to judge?

I think a weighted blanket and some Jellycat Amuseables might be better for the soul.

This nails it.
applies to anything in life as long as it doesn’t cause harm to others

@Iwantmyoldnameback Before I actually came into contact with them I saw them on a TV programme and that was a bit creepy but I think that was the "mummies" not the dolls.

Was that the one with the lady who bought all the designer outfits and accessories for her doll? IIRC she didn't want a real baby because it would get dirty and mess up it's very expensive outfits but proudly took her designer dolly out and about. I remember watching it and being a bit 🤨.

But that said, whatever makes you happy in the privacy of your own home OP is no business of mine or anyone else's so crack on.

It’s not impossible to not discuss dead babies at all. I lost my baby, I’ve never looked at a reborn and though it looked like her either alive or dead, and someone having one wouldn’t devastate me at all. I can sort of see what people mean but it’s not my experience. The only thing triggering is this ugly thread with funeral home workers calling them fucking weird and comparing to all the dead babies they’ve seen. It’s just not actually necessary is it. Il hide this thread as it’s just unnecessarily horrible.

Creepy and bizarre. I would definitely judge anybody who had one. Not in a good way.

Spot on, thank you

Of course I understand their use in bereavement and that's a valid discussion.

It's the posts just saying " they look like dead babies" " they look like dead babies", that are offensive. They are posting it with what comes over as such relish.

I think it's called " stating the bleeding obvious ". So totally unnecessary and insensitive.

If it’s some that will make you happy then go ahead and buy one. Some women get a lot of enjoyment from them, and it’s not hurting anyone. Do what makes you happy.

There are cuddly toys which I think
vibrate and give out a small light which I think
are meant to be good for anxiety

I find them creepy and weird, and the people who have them quite bizarre tbh. I got on the bus with DS in his wheelchair a few years ago and the space was occupied by 2 women with reborn dolls in designer pushchairs which they refused to move for my actual child in his wheelchair.

If there is a market for reborn dolls, some ppl must buy them. No market, no sale.
Market supply implies there is a need for their products, so I’d prefer ppl are not as judgemental as some posters appear.
Everyone has different needs and triggers. Pls be kind (hate that phrase, but it does seem appropriate) to other posters which may like/ need a reborn doll.

Christ, there are some dreadful comments on this thread.

Holding a baby can be a comforting feeling, for lots of different reasons. And reborns recreate this feeling, with their soft-touch finish, lifelike colouring, and realistic weight distribution.

High-quality reborn dolls are incredibly lifelike, and research suggests that they trigger a release of endorphins so can be extremely effective in boosting mood and easing loneliness.

They aren't for everyone, and that's OK. But for patients with dementia, some parents who have experienced a loss of their baby, ** or others with mental health issues like depression or anxiety, they can be extremely comforting.

(**Some parents who have lost their baby find reborns comforting, others find it upsetting).

Personally OP, I wouldn't go out and about with one because people are pricks who can't mind their own business. But for use in your own home, absolutely. You may find a reborn brings you a lot of comfort without any added responsibility, like pet ownership.

NB/I don't have a reborn doll, nor do I have any desire to have one, but I've been running a large craft group for about 14 years and the abuse the people who make reborns receive is off the scale. I've seen firsthand the joy that reborns bring to some people and I'm not about to scoff at that.

How do you think such a doll will help?
Personally, I think they are creepy-looking (think Chucky), and that they are associated mainly with those who have suffered a loss, or by people who don't want cats.
I would go for a bear if I needed a cuddle

Personally they’re not for me but I can’t see any harm in them! I think most mothers can close their eyes and remember the calm feeling of holding their sleeping newborn. If you think you holding one would calm you during moments of anxiety go for it! When my gran had dementia she just sat rocking a baby doll for years! (She had 9 children so spent a large potion of her life holding babies!) it was the only thing that calmed her down, I don’t think people would find that “weird” I can’t see how your situation is any different.

OP, apologies if Ive got this wrong but it seems like you want to use a doll to help with your anxiety because of the weight. However you also say that you are drawn to them because you aren't able to have a real baby.

Is a doll likely to address both of those needs? If so, then go for it. It doesn't matter what other people think. There are a lot worse things in the world than a woman walking around with a doll.

They get a bad press because sometimes people act like they are real babies and that isnt healthy.