Is this really normal

It does come across as a bit sad, doesn't it? In the long run it's harmless. Is it any worse than say, collecting teddy bears? Who can say?

I would've paid good money to see the look on your face Bluebelle when those covers were pulled back

It takes all sorts.

Never heard of this before but I find it rather weird. It might not be doing any harm but I would say it's definitely not normal - not that I'm sure what 'normal) is any more.....

Totally weird.

What a lovely harmless hobby. I think that would be a good punishment for gang members caught with knives - make them push a pram containing a baby doll around the streets for a few hours a week. Community service with a difference. Somehow I feel that might be a more effective punishment and would free up a prison space (where they usually just learn to be even more brutal)

Must be American.

I read a news item during last summer about one of these dolls. A concerned member of the public reported a baby in a hot car to supermarket staff, who promptly called the emergency services. They broke into the car only to find that the baby was one of these "reborn" dolls.
An expensive repair for one very embarrassed lady!

It seems desperately sad to me, a less physical phantom pregnancy?

When my daughter was a child there was a craze for lifelike baby dolls. We were in a shop and a lady asked to hold the doll. She was chatting to us while rocking the doll and patting it's back. It did seem weird.

They are described as re born Ginny 42 because they look creepily like new born babies.
Anyone that has given birth to or seen a still born baby wouldn't touch them with a barge pole!

Never even heard of these dolls before. Seems very strange to me, I think these women need help but what do I know?

rely really
It's Is

I rely don't understand the mindset of people who think of ways that other people could spend their money.
It's it all about saving lives, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless clothing the less fortunate.
I'm not about to stint on my spending to give my money away and I don't expect to be thought mean or to get castigated for whatever extravagance I indulge in.
Should we all be made to contribute 25% of income over £20k in order to inflate the lifestyle of those on incomes lower than £13k?
I make no apologies for my spending. I earned it.

Ha ..saw a tv programme on this some years ago ...it was fast becoming a craze in the USA....seems odd to me, but if it makes someone happy so be it ...better than drink drugs or loneliness ! my husband has sadly had to go into a care home as he has Parkinsons, dementia and cancer although he is still quite lucid at the moment, several of the elderly ladies sit in the day room with their ;babies and the care assistants are very kind in bringing them their baby when they ask for it ...and I have to say it seems to give them a lot of comfort. I have seen an article about how these dolls are made, even down to the'skin' texture, movement, and even weighted to feel like a real baby …….
they are beautifully made, and certainly notcheap ..does not appeal to me, but as I say, it seems to give comfort to people which can only be a good thing ….no one else's business really I suppose ! ps have to grin though, there is also a movement in the US where an adult can go back into baby stage ….everything including nappies, feeding, etc …..odd, but again, if it helps someone so be it !

I had to look this up, of course, and was startled to see that it isn't just reborn babies that are available but also toddlers. Watched a brief clip of a man driving his (real) daughter of about 12 or 13 to Walmart to get a sibling for Gary/Liam (they couldn't decide on his name) who was a toddler reborn strapped into the car seat. Still trying to process this.

Yes sorry MamaCaz I should have read your post more carefully.

I guess it might help reduce the number of 'real' babies being born and then unwanted!

It sounds creepy to me. I suppose that the best you can say is that that they aren't likely to abduct some other poor woman's baby. If I was feeling deprived in the way they evidently are, I'd get a dog.

I have seen these dolls. I find them creepy. I know people have them at home but I find it really odd that people take them out in prams....

Its a shame its gone out of fashion asking folk if you could take their baby for a walk Willow you could buy a pram an dborrow a baby .

I've seen a documentary on these as well. I've no problem with it really but as I've always thought dolls were a bit creepy (too many horror films when I was younger) I wouldn't want one in my house. I would on the other hand love to have a huge coach pram with all the accessories to push around - wonder if I could put my ancient teddies in one

Never heard of this one! I love babies and always stop to admire one and if I get a chance to hold one I’m a happy bunny! I wonder if the appeal of a doll is that they never age and stay their baby forever whereas borrowing a real live one won’t.....I think!

I visited a woman with about 4 of these babies. They had named and she took them out in the pram. There was a clothes rail of very expensive frilly girls clothes and she was knitting timy dolls clothes. She lived alone and spent her time looking after them. She did have mental health problems but her family were grown up and left the area so if these dolls were her comfort why not. She paid about 600 pound for each

There was a documentary on this a few years ago
One well to do woman in her early forties had a beautiful nursery with five ornate cribs each containing a ."newborn". She would rise during the night to check on them and change their outfits daily according to the weather.
She met up regularly with another "newborn" mum in the park. When the other mum ased if she may hold the "baby" she was told to be careful to support his head.
Recently a young woman who made these was on my local radio. She worked mainly from photographs and it took her a minimum of a month to create one. For extra she could fit a gadget that mimicked a baby' heartbeat.
She had orders from all over the world so obviously they are now big business.

Oh dear! Why not 'adopt' a young family with little support and provide practical help. Very strange. But, as others have remarked, they're not harming anyone.