Reborn dolls are fast becoming the latest must-have item for many women from all walks of life.

They appeal to women who want to enjoy the experience of having a baby, but who do not want - or are unable to have – a real one of their own. It is also true of a growing group of people known as "reborners".

Reborn dolls are actually extremely lifelike collectible dolls which resemble a living baby. These baby dolls are made of high quality soft-to-the-touch vinyl. Great attention to detail is paid by the maker to creating realistic wrinkles, creases and fingernails and to rooting the soft hair and eyelashes. The reborn babies’ bodies are then weighted to feel just like a real baby. New generation plastic of a quality not seen before is used to create realistic eyes for those dolls with open eyes.

From a distance – and even up close with the finest examples – it’s hard to distinguish a reborn baby doll from a real baby. Increasingly there are stories in the Press - two recently, one in Australia and one in the US - where the emergency services were called out by members of the public to rescue a baby from a dangerous situation. In both cases the “baby” turned out to be a reborn doll.

Due to the high quality of materials and the artistry which goes into their creation, reborn dolls do not come cheap. Top quality manufactured dolls such as Dolls by Berenguer, Lee Middleton dolls, and Ashton Drake dolls range from about $80 for the least expensive right up to $200 or $300 for the top of the range.

OOAK reborn baby dolls command even higher prices –sometimes over $1,000 dollars. OOAK means one of a kind and these dolls are individually and lovingly “reborned” by skilled hobbyists.

The reborn doll fan base has two distinct components. There are those who invest reborn baby dolls as collectors’ items. This type of buyer appreciates the high level of craftsmanship which goes into the making of the doll and the resulting beauty of the finished article. They are more likely to simply buy the doll, add it to their collection and put it on display in a cabinet or on a chair to be admired.

However, as they are so realistic, there are many women who form an emotional bond with their reborn baby dolls. They treat their doll like a living baby and interact with him or her, changing her clothes, buying accessories such as strollers or cots and even taking her out in the park . Some of the newer dolls even breathe like real babies.

The second group of reborn doll aficionados is the hobbyists. These are women who create the dolls themselves – or “reborners”. Many are talented and creative doll artists who spend weeks or even months creating a unique reborn baby doll. Endless hours are spent lovingly painting wrinkles and veins on to the vinyl, individually rooting each strand of hair and the countless other details which go into the making of a top quality OOAK reborn doll.

Some reborners take on individual commissions, often working from a customer’s photograph to create a reborn doll which looks like a specific baby, perhaps a young relative or sometimes, sadly, a baby who has died. There is a thriving cottage industry of reborners who advertise their baby dolls on websites or ebay and make an income from their artistry.

Reborn dolls can also have a therapeutic effect. In some cases they provide comfort for women who have suffered a loss or who are unable to have children of their own. There are also scientific studies which state that cuddling reborn baby dolls has a beneficial and stimulatory effect for elderly patients suffering from Alzheimer’s.

It is this broad appeal across all ages, social backgrounds and personality types which has led to the incredible rise in popularity of these amazing reborn dolls – and all the signs are that it is set to continue……

……..Watch this space!

Linda Whitwam has written this article exclusively for Collector Reborn.