Help! Novice stepping tentatively into the world of baby dolls!

[Patilla]

So I've had six years of tractors and cranes and Lego, which I can now confidently manoeuvre myself around.

Then we get DD who loves all those things but also adores dolls, the soft bodied plastic head and limbs kind.

Now DH is no use with his almost pathological dislike to all dolls and so the task falls to me to make sure that there's a doll under the Christmas tree for DD.

But it's a bit if a bewildering world out there.

I could just get the big standard basic no brand type, but I'm tempted to splash out a bit more money as DD largely plays with toys she has inherited from DS and this would be "hers". We have limited relatives too so it's not a present fest under the tree either.

So I wondered, oh wise and experienced purchasers of baby dolls, what would you recommend?

Is it worth splashing out on the likes of baby annabel etc because if possible future presents like alternate outfits etc? Or do they only work for the fully plastic dolls?

I'm kind of leaning towards a soft body rather than entire plastic as, at nearly two, she finds it easier to pose.

All opinions gratefully received.

Anyone?! Please?!

Although I was too tight to buy one for DD I would say go with Baby Annabel. She played loads with one at the childminder's and I regretted my meanness!

Thanks fusspot, what was it about the baby annabel do you think?

I've seen baby born too but can't tell much difference.

Bit wary about "talking" dolls personally but I'm more than aware that amazingness is in the eye of the beholder, and if they eyes belong to a little person then their perspective on noise making items can be very different from mine!

I think baby A is quite real. The accessories were realistic ( loathe the idea of the baby born lambretta!)and it was good quality. The clothes were pricy but I seem to recall that early baby clothes fitted.

We have found the Coralle baby dollies very cuddly and popular with our two DD's. They are a bit pricy though:

www.amazon.com/Corolle-Premier-Calin-Charming-Pastel/dp/B000AM2L1O

I second the corolle ones. They're lovely especially for very little ones like yours. I think baby annabel is quite big and IMO you don't need all the interactive features really (unless they specifically ask for them) as children prefer to use their imagination anyway.

My DD has an interactive baby doll that was ignored in favour of a smaller soft bodied corolle doll with blond hair.

We bought a Dolls World Little Treasure for dd's 2nd birthday. She's lovely

We got a mellisa and Doug soft bodied doll. She has hair. I think she was called Natalie. She isn't large and is a beany body so she sits well. Plastic head and limbs.

She is a good size doll for young child.

Smaller than Tiny Tears.

Thanks for the tips, it's certainly given me a starting point in what has seemed a slightly bewildering array.
But still, a fun change from Lego! And nice to see DD developing her own personality and likes too.
Have you found then, that new baby clothes can work just as well as specific branded items?

Mine aren't to bothered about clothing the baby, they like wrapping it in blankets mostly. But I'm sure you could use any brand clothing on the ones we have. The corolle's are like newborn sized.

Have a look at the website of this natural toys a nd crafts shop, Myriad. They have gorgeous soft and lovely dolls: www.myriadonline.co.uk
The German Kaethe Kruse dolls are pricey but they are beautifully made and my niece has one and it goes everywhere with her! They also make dools for boys (yes, little boys like dolls too!) my nephews had some when they were little.

My DDs love their basic Baby Born dolls. Got them for Christmas last year when the girls were almost two, and they've been played with every day. They're soft bodied with plastic head, arms and legs so they can go in the bath.

Ours are the My Little Baby Born dolls. They're better in sleepsuits or dresses as they're soft round the waist, so trousers fall down.

Thank you again for all the comments. Really helpful.

I do like the corolle dolls, the faces aren't quite as scary as some are (to me anyway). But I think maybe I need to nip to a shop to have a look
At some in the flesh (so to speak) as well, maybe.
Oh the pressure to get it right! Which is slightly ironic given the state of the one at toddler group that she happily takes on the slide/puts in a play highchair etc!
Thanks ephpa for that link, I love soft dolls but DD seems to be preferring those with plastic heads and limbs, and I totally agree about boys and dolls, DD is using the blue pushchair that DS used to have, but he preferred trucks and teddies in it and less so dolls. Each child to their own!