doll buying - need recommendations

[Mij]

My 16mo DD is currently doll-less at home, but is starting to show an interest in those at playgroup and at her childminder. She's still just as likely to cuddle a train/teddy/shoe, and I'm keen to keep her as free to choose her own toys without gender bias as long as possible, but that doesn't mean I want to ban all toys considered traditionally girls'.

So, I'm thinking of buying a decent doll for her. Except, I don't know a thing about them and they all look vile, from my brief look in the toy shop window.

On the basis I have to live with the thing too, I'd like it to:

Not make any noises
Not come with a bottle
Be cuddleable
Not cost a bloody fortune

I've seen a couple of anatomically correct ones that were a bit scary - are there any that aren't rock-hard plastic with strange wrinkles around their neck?

Should I go for a rag doll instead and go for the total opposite of realistic?

Arse, I don't know what I'm looking for. Apparently I just dismantled dolls as a child, so I'm not really equipped to make this decision.

Help!

yoiu need to go to a big toy shop and have a look at the dolls. there are so many doll sthat 'do' things, but also 'first dolls' that are soft more traditional type.

we have so many dollies in this house, and I know dd3 is getting one from my sister ( she was so excited about it I didn't have the heart to say no more dolls please!!)

There are some lovely Dora the Explorer soft dolls around at the moment - about £6 a throw, so it'd hardly break the bank :-)

I have found them to be entirely machine washable, whatever the label says... just bung them in on a 40degree wash.

I have got my dd (20 months) This one

www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3830583/Trail/searchtext%3EDOLL.htm

It was the only cheap soft dolly I could really find

Just remembered the poppy ragdoll is cute too in ELC my DD loves her's

My first baby Annabel is lovely.

She does have a hard face (very pretty imo, lol) and arms but a soft body and she's non-functional.

I saw he in town today for twelve quid (sorry can't think where ...) so shes not hugely extortionate.

Just to add: they are selling her with a 'care set' in toysrus for 14.99

hth

The best value (both monetary and play value) were made by Peterkin www.peterkin.co.uk/dollsworld1.htm, were anatomically correct & a bit wrinkly but not scary, especially when dressed, came in boy/girl, brown/pink skin and were bathable. Here's some pictures from Amazon www.amazon.co.uk/s?ie=UTF8&rh=n%3A595380%2Cp_4%3APeterkin&page=1to give you an idea. Hope that helps.

Message withdrawn

my dd also has first baby annabel and carries it everywhere with her at the mo! i think its a nice size for her (she's 15mths) and not heavy/cumbersome etc and makes no noise!

I like baby stella but she is quite expensive.

AS your dd is little enough for your taste to be the biggest influence, (rather than adverts) I'd go for this one

These are lovely quality, sweet and you can get accessories/clothes. Tidoo for example is suitable from 18 months and some are bathable. When dd was that age she had a You and Me doll from Toys r Us and ragdolls from M and S and Maggies Raggies(Zapf) and a mini Chouchou

baby stella from manhatten toy company .

I had the same criteria at that age, now nearly 3 Stells goes everywhere with dd (she even has her own backpack). The funniest thing has been dd attempting to comb her 3 strands of hair

I recently posted something similar and someone posted this link - they are a bit pricey but not like those plastic-y ones you usually get

Wow everyone, you've excelled yourselves, thank you very much. All those suggestions have given me lots more to think about but at least I'm not thinking in the dark any more!

I probably shouldn't over do the rationalisation. I'll spend ages umming and ahhing over the right one and she'll fall in love with some crappy plastic thing for 50p she wrestles out of a box at the next toy sale.