What is a reborn doll
A reborn doll is a hand-finished doll that imitates a real baby as closely as possible: in size, weight, skin tone and the tiniest details. The name comes from the early days of the hobby, when artists took ordinary play dolls apart, repainted them and "reborn" them as realistic babies. The hobby took off in the United States in the 1990s and today has collectors all over the world.
How a reborn doll is made
Most reborn dolls today are not made from toys but from kits. A kit is designed by a sculptor and contains a vinyl head, arms and legs. The doll itself is then finished by an artist known as a reborner:
- Painting the skin in very thin layers. Veins, mottling, flushed cheeks, nails and lips appear gradually. There are often dozens of layers, and depending on the paint they are air-dried or heat-set.
- Hair is either painted or rooted into the head with a needle, one or a few strands at a time, most often using mohair. Lashes are done the same way.
- Weighting: the head and limbs are weighted, usually with glass beads, so the doll feels like a newborn in your arms.
- Assembly onto a soft cloth body, and dressing.
One doll usually takes the artist many hours spread over several weeks.
Vinyl or silicone?
Vinyl reborn doll
The most common type. Vinyl head and limbs with a soft cloth body. Easier to look after, more affordable and fine for everyday cuddles. It must not be soaked, though: the cloth body absorbs water and the weighting inside can go mouldy.
Full-body silicone doll
The whole body is made of soft silicone, so it feels the most like a real baby and some can even be bathed. It is considerably more expensive and heavier, and silicone attracts dust and lint, so it is cared for with powder.
How to spot an original
As the hobby grows, so do cheap copies sold as "reborn" that only resemble a handmade doll in an edited photo. What to look for:
- Kit stamp. Genuine kits usually carry the sculptor's name on the back of the neck, sometimes with a number and year. The seller should be able to tell you which kit the doll is made from.
- Certificate. Limited edition kits often come with a certificate of authenticity from the kit maker. Artists also often include their own birth certificate.
- Work-in-progress photos. Reborners usually share photos of the doll being made. If the seller has none and every photo looks like a catalogue shot, be careful.
- Stolen photos. Scam shops often copy photos from artists' websites. Run the picture through a reverse image search on Google and you will see where else it appears.
- A suspiciously low price for a doll that is supposed to be hand-painted.
Tip: A cheap play doll from a toy shop is not a scam as long as it is sold honestly as one. It is simply a different product from a hand-finished collector's reborn doll.
How much does a reborn doll cost
The price depends on the type:
- Mass-produced realistic play dolls from toy shops start at a few dozen euros.
- Hand-finished vinyl dolls by artists usually cost from a few hundred euros upwards, depending on the kit, the work and the details.
- Full-body silicone dolls are among the most expensive.
Many artists also make reborn dolls to order: you choose the kit, hair and eye colour or gender and wait a few weeks.
Who are reborn dolls for
Most owners are adult collectors who admire the handwork and the realistic look. Realistic dolls are also used in so-called doll therapy, for example with people living with dementia, where they can bring comfort. For small children, sturdy dolls made for play are a better choice. A delicate hand-painted doll with mohair hair will not survive rough play.
Welcoming a reborn baby home?
Most reborn babies come with a birth certificate. If yours didn't, grab our free printable one, or pick a prettier design from our Etsy shop:
Watercolor birth & adoption certificates6 designs, fillable PDF, plus welcome home cards and name tags€4.50 · Instant download on Etsy →
Adoption papers setCertificate, adoption oath, welcome letter and baby record€5.90 · Instant download on Etsy →
Twins birth certificateOne certificate with two names€3.90 · Instant download on Etsy →
Christmas birth certificate"Santa's special delivery", with an adoption version€3.90 · Instant download on Etsy →
How to care for a reborn doll
- Keep her out of the sun. Direct light can fade the skin tones over time.
- Keep her away from heat, such as radiators or a hot car.
- Don't wash a vinyl doll in water. Wipe the vinyl with a damp cloth and never soak the cloth body.
- Mohair hair should only be gently brushed with your fingers or a soft brush, and never soaked.
- Watch out for dye transfer. Dark or poorly dyed clothes and blankets can stain vinyl.
- Keep a magnetic dummy away from electronics and bank cards.
And a well cared-for doll deserves lovely photos too. See our guide How to photograph reborn dolls at home.