Reborn babies have become the latest craze in the collectible world. You've undoubtedly seen these extremely life like dolls and their owners who treat them just like real babies on television. The Today Show, Dr. Phil, 20/20 and many other talk shows have all aired specials on Reborns and their collectors. You Tube and other Internet video sites also have a wide selection of videos covering the creation of Reborns and the habits of those that own them.
As much as is possible with collectible dolls, there is a level of controversy surrounding Reborn Babys. The term comes from how the dolls are made, in that a regular baby doll is taken and through a painstakingly long process becomes a new, super realistic doll. Many owners of these dolls treat them exactly like newborn babies. They dress them, pamper them and take them for strolls in their bassinets.
Baby Travel Bassinet
Some critics claim that the realism of the dolls is creepy and that the owners who pamper them and treat them like real babies are somehow obsessed or mentally unbalanced. Mental health professionals and doctors disagree though. While adults "playing" with Reborn Babys might strike many of us as odd, it is nothing more than a hobby that many people choose to indulge.
Doctors have noted the success they have with clients who have suffered from the loss of a child in one form or another using Reborns. Reborn Babys help these patients transfer their feelings of loss and sadness into caring for an object that helps them vent their maternal urges. It is no different than people using exercise to relieve stress or losing themselves in a hobby or work to distract themselves from negative aspects of their lives.
Despite buying Reborns for emotional reasons, many in the collecting world are finding a huge market for these dolls. Reborn Babys are unique pieces of work that represent the skill and labor of highly skilled artisans. The rare nature of the dolls combined with the high level of skill it takes to make them make for limited supply and high demand.
While some may look at those who choose to treat Reborn Babys like real children as odd, they are nothing more than rabid fans of their hobby. No matter your feelings about reborn dolls there is no denying their popularity. eBay has become the biggest marketplace for the life-like dolls and boasts thousands of auctions for reborn dolls, kits and accessories.
eBay doesn't lie!