health
February 22, 2026
‘It helps with loneliness’: grief, play and the power of lifelike dolls
Dolls that look like real babies – complete with tiny veins and folds of skin – can be endearing yet deeply unsettling. In the Netherlands, however, there are tens of thousands of ‘reborn’ doll enthusiasts
TL;DR
- Reborn dolls are highly realistic dolls that have gained significant popularity worldwide, with tens of thousands of enthusiasts in the Netherlands.
- People are drawn to reborn dolls for companionship, to cope with loneliness, to process grief from miscarriages or child loss, or due to a longing for children.
- The creation and care of reborn dolls involve intricate craftsmanship, including multiple layers of paint, rooting hair, and filling bodies for realistic weight.
- Enthusiasts connect in online communities like Facebook groups and on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, sharing photos, stories, and 'day in the life' videos.
- Researchers suggest the appeal lies in the combination of creativity, role-play, collecting, and community, with a strong emotional component.
- The hobby faces stigma and misunderstanding, with enthusiasts often receiving hateful messages and facing dismissive attitudes.
- Studies suggest reborn dolls can have therapeutic benefits for older adults with dementia and individuals with anxiety or autism.
- The dolls can challenge societal ideals of motherhood, which may contribute to the discomfort and judgment they sometimes receive.
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