The very first time I saw realistic baby dolls online, I was definitely taken back. They looked so incredibly real and this is in fact the very reason they are growing in popularity. Then the more I looked into them, the more surprised I became after seeing the huge variety of dolls that are now available.
An Incredible Selection of Types and Styles
Preemie dolls, fashion dolls, toddler dolls and of course true to from baby dolls, that look and feel just like a real infant. Heck! There are even built in accessory options such as cooing and a wetting bladder. Now as for myself, I think that I can do without that second option. I've changed enough diapers over the course of my life.
A Handful of Better Established Doll Companies
Upon looking more deeper, I found out that there are a handful of popular doll manufacturers that serious collectors tend to turn to. Of course there are plenty of discount doll manufacturers but these companies seem to have better reputations for turning out a higher quality product. Companies with names like Ashton Drake, Adora, Corolle, American Girl, Madame Alexander, Middleton Doll and Effanbee.
The Look and Feel of Realistic Baby Dolls
Of course I took a little time to check out what these various doll makers had to offer and what I found was that they all tended to have their own unique variations and interpretations of what is in fact real. For instance, there are some differences in the general look and feel of dolls that are made for children, versus dolls that are marketed to adult collectors. By the way, Ashton Drake seems to target the adult market exclusively.
Today's Far Higher Level of Realism & Authenticity
I was particularly impressed by what they're doing to impart a higher sense of authenticity into today's modern realistic baby dolls. As just one example, today's dolls even smell real because the aroma of baby powder is actually incorporated right into the vinyl when it's made. The smell never fades! Also in the better made dolls, individual hairs are tediously implanted in the scalp one at a time with a needle. It must take hours!
The Two Makers of Authentic Infant Dolls
Now bear in mind that this is not the case with virtually all manufacturers. For instance, what I found is that it's only basically two doll makers that have dolls to offer that resemble real infants and babies. Those two companies are Ashton Drake and Middleton Dolls. Now the other companies do have realistic dolls. Just not at the level offered by these two makers, with regards to infants.
The Bottom Line When Considering Buying
The bottom line, is that there are several established doll companies that offer a veritable cornucopia of realistic baby dolls for both children and adults. Even so, there are any number of considerations that must be taken into account when selecting out what suits each person the best. Also most importantly, buying a doll for an adult is far more different that buying one for a child.