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Is this really normal

(178 Posts)
BlueBelle Thu 21-Mar-19 22:33:22

I know each to his own etc etc but today I came across two women probably in their 40 s who had very expensive prams with all the very fancy accessories I said ‘ohh that looks like a tiny one tucked down there’ and as she pulled the covers back she explained it was a ‘reborn’ as was her friends ‘baby’ She was not mentally ill but was rocking the pram as she talked to me and told me her husband stayed with the pram when she had to go in busy shops she also told me there were about fifty women in our town with these ‘babies’ (seemed like a club) the dolls cost around £350 + I really thought I was in a parcelled universe

Is this the latest craze to take over from dressed up silly named dogs

Gonegirl Fri 22-Mar-19 14:47:42

they're getting cheaper! This one actually looks quite like my grandsons did. So sweet.

rizlett Fri 22-Mar-19 14:47:55

Not that I've got one!

Gonegirl Fri 22-Mar-19 14:48:18

I could love that dolly.

rizlett Fri 22-Mar-19 14:51:27

I might start bidding on this one though... [real baby not included!]

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1974-Wilson-Silver-Cross-Vintage-Pram/223451770563?hash=item3406c36ec3:g:m7YAAOSw6aVcX5Dp

Gonegirl Fri 22-Mar-19 15:07:57

Oh! that is to die for!!! Those huge wheels, and those springs! Must be a dream to push. Not like the tanks they push around these days.

Gonegirl Fri 22-Mar-19 15:10:00

And that white sun canopy!

I had a broderie anglaise pram quilt like that.

muffinthemoo Fri 22-Mar-19 15:12:24

The thing that always freaks me out about reborns is how horrifically ugly they are. I don't think I've ever seen a real baby that was so weird and ugly looking. It's all the hyperrealistic colouring used on the face-ups. Also the weird, weird skin folds used in the face sculpts.

melp1 Fri 22-Mar-19 15:19:23

Oh Breeze that did make me laugh about the dog in the fluffy pink coat grin

GrannyLaine Fri 22-Mar-19 17:25:24

Goodness me, a lot of judgemental posts on this! There are a great many collectors of vintage coach built prams in the UK and I am one of them. They were beautifully made and cared for, simply fabulous to push and there are some very talented restorers out there too. I have a great nostalgia for baby items from the 50s and 60s and the internet has made collecting much easier. Am I sad/ mentally unstable / creepy/ in need of social services? I most certainly am not. I am however fortunate in being able to use my prams for my young grandchildren. I am known in our village as The Pram Lady. At some point in the future I may consider a good quality reborn as its a bit sad pushing an empty pram. I'll agree there are some pretty strange reborns around though.

GrannyLaine Fri 22-Mar-19 17:28:53

This is just one of mine

rizlett Fri 22-Mar-19 17:42:55

Beautiful grannylaine.

GrannyLaine Fri 22-Mar-19 17:56:59

Thank you rizlett. My youngest two grandchildren are 5 months and 5 days respectively. They will snuggle in there side by side xx

annodomini Fri 22-Mar-19 18:01:40

I loved the Silver Cross pram I had for my two Ss. But I was happy to know it had gone to a family who otherwise would not have had a pram of any kind.

sodapop Fri 22-Mar-19 18:03:08

I had one of those prams too rizlett It should have been navy with a white stripe but they sent a white one with a navy stripe which I kept. When I finished with it a lady bought it and took it to America.
There is a big difference between collecting vintage items and treating dolls like children
Grannylaine I think most posters felt sympathetic towards women who had a need to do this,

Saggi Fri 22-Mar-19 18:14:04

Never heard of this inanity before....and as for saying it’s not a mental illness....I beg to differ.

watermeadow Fri 22-Mar-19 18:15:25

My mother had a big old pram to hold her three babies, twins then another only 18 moths later.
I’ve seen a woman pushing a pram with a reborn doll. She, the pram and the doll were all arrayed in loud colours, frills and accessories as though to draw attention to her peculiarity.

Daddima Fri 22-Mar-19 18:24:00

So, if you think baby dolls for ladies are a bit odd..........

youtu.be/1hcfa4btv2M

Happysexagenarian Fri 22-Mar-19 19:10:05

I have two friends who collect reborn dolls and another who makes them. The skill and hours of work that goes into making them is incredible and as a keen crafter I can appreciate that, but my collector friends certainly don't treat their dolls like real babies, they just sit in display cabinets. In fact they are so realistic it seems almost 'cruel' to store them that way! My DH would have a fit if I asked him to babysit a doll in a pram. I wonder if a reborn doll would be useful for getting a seat on a bus or train!!

rafichagran Fri 22-Mar-19 19:27:30

Very odd, but as people are saying quite disturbing. X

rafichagran Fri 22-Mar-19 19:28:30

X was a typo.

Franbern Fri 22-Mar-19 19:31:08

How very sad and pointless. If these women used this sort of money to sponsor a child to have a life, education, clean water, etc. etc. they would receive photos etc and letters showing the result of that.

Colverson Fri 22-Mar-19 19:35:57

Wow I have never met a woman into this and sorry I find it very sad,people with money but sad lives,

GrannyLaine Fri 22-Mar-19 19:50:04

I don't think any of us have the right to dictate how others should spend their money Franbern.

Jalima1108 Fri 22-Mar-19 19:55:05

BlueBelle
If someone has lost a child, several children, had miscarriages, yearned for a child and never had one, who knows how they will react?

She was not mentally ill
How can we tell? She may not appear to be but may have many problems.

It seems very sad.

Jalima1108 Fri 22-Mar-19 19:57:10

If these women used this sort of money to sponsor a child to have a life, education, clean water, etc. etc. they would receive photos etc and letters showing the result of that.

I agree with you, Franbern, and know that it can be quite fulfilling to realise that you have helped a deprived child to be fed, educated and achieve a job at the end of this.