Lifelike 'Reborn' Babies: A Comforting Companion for Grieving Women and a Fascination for Others

Published: June 2, 2025

Reborn dolls, which can cost up to $5,000, have been popular for two decades, and their appeal is not just about their uncanny resemblance to real babies. For some, these lifelike dolls are a therapeutic outlet, helping them navigate grief and sadness.

Grieving Women Find Comfort in Reborn Dolls?

Dr. Jessica Zucker, a psychologist specializing in reproductive and maternal mental health, explains that reborn dolls can serve as a "buffer" for women, allowing them to process their grief after a miscarriage or stillbirth. "Maybe it acts as a way in which we can sort of feel some of the pain and suspend some of the pain by acting as a mother, by acting as a caregiver, by caring for something outside of oneself," she says.

Christina Keeler, who had a pregnancy loss nine years ago, found solace in reborn dolls. "I was never able to talk about our pregnancy loss until I found reborns," she says. "It has been very therapeutic for me."

The Fascination with Reborn Dolls

David Stack, founder of Reborn.com, says that people buy reborn dolls because they "just love babies and think they're cute." He adds that sometimes, people buy the dolls to help them get through their grief.

Reborn dolls first became popular over two decades ago when doll creators started repurposing manufactured dolls to look more lifelike. The average cost of a reborn doll is $250, but silicone dolls, which feel the most lifelike, start at $1,000 and can go up to $4,000 or $5,000.

Some women, like Maria Trigg, create their own reborn dolls and share them on social media, where they have gained a significant following. Trigg says that many of her followers and collectors have turned to the dolls as a coping mechanism.

While some people criticize Trigg and other creators and collectors like her, she is not deterred by their opinions. "Some people collect stamps, and while I don't understand that, I don't judge it," she says. "What makes dolls any different? To me, that nurturing spirit is a gift, and I am not ashamed of it."

Reborn Dolls