| The hype over reborn babies has been growing | | | | fulfillment of becoming a first-time mother. There |
| over the past few years. While the term doesn't | | | | is controversy over this, as some may argue |
| exactly sound "cute" and some may even regard | | | | that this practice is delusional, and simply causes a |
| it as eerie, reborn babies are actually dolls which | | | | woman to turn away from reality instead of |
| look like real babies. They are commonly made | | | | facing the fact that she can't bear children. |
| from vinyl, and are have the weight and size of a | | | | Reborn babies are also extremely popular among |
| real human baby! The question is, why are they | | | | parents of young children. Parents, especially |
| becoming so popular these days? | | | | first-timers, are sentimental over their children's |
| Reborners are people who create reborn babies | | | | little booties, outfits, and toys. They keep the |
| as a hobby, or for a living. Reborners sell their | | | | mittens, bonnets and layettes in special boxes, in |
| babies through their personal websites, or | | | | hopes to preserve the sentiment of having a |
| sometimes through ebay. Reborners have even | | | | baby in the house. Now, with reborn life-life baby |
| taken this craft to a whole new level with the | | | | dolls, they can have their real children grow, while |
| birth of custom reborn babies, which are basically | | | | having replicas of their baby-versions. |
| babies created with the exact specifications of a | | | | Finally, reborn babies seem to be well-loved by |
| buyer. Many buyers show reborners a photo of a | | | | nostalgic and grieving parents and grandparents. |
| baby they'd like created. After it is done, a buyer | | | | For some people, the death of a baby seems to |
| may adopt the baby by buying the doll online. | | | | be lessened with a replica in the form of a doll. |
| These life-like dolls are most popular among | | | | Other people who cannot relate to the concept of |
| women who can no longer bear children, or who | | | | parenting simply buy these babies for their |
| have never bore children. Owning a doll that feels | | | | collection. |
| real in their arms gives them that temporary | | | | |