As shoppers, we want to be sure that we are getting the best products for our money. So what is the difference between Reborn and Silicone baby dolls? Are they worth the price difference? In this post, we will explore the differences between these two types of dolls and help you decide which one is right for you.
Reborn dolls are made from vinyl or latex and can be filled with either water, sand/kitty litter, oatmeal, or other material. Silicone babies also have different internal structures; they come in a variety of shapes and sizes like their real-life counterparts but some silicone baby models are only available as charms for mobile phones. Reborns tend to look more realistic than the standard silicone doll while some may say that reborn dolls don’t resemble human children at all whereas others claim every detail is kept under close scrutiny when creating each model making them very similar in appearance to an actual newborn infant.
There are many differences you should take into consideration before purchasing your ideal doll. Cost, mobility, durability, maintenance, and realistic features should all be considered in advance. The graph below gives you a complete picture of the differences between reborn and silicone babies and hopefully narrows down your search choices to find you the ideal baby doll.
Reborn Babies
Reborn baby dolls are created by taking a doll or kit and changing it into a different type of toy. The process to create these reborn babies is very meticulous, involving many hours spent on painting the face of the new doll in order to make it look more realistic than ever before.
To learn more about Reborn Baby Dolls visit: History of Reborn Baby Dolls
Cost– since these dolls are created from kits or an already created doll, they tend to be significantly less expensive
Mobility- These babies tend to have individual parts that have joints and are separated from their bodies. They tend to be able to sit up and stay sitting up on their own or be otherwise poseable.
Durability– Extremely durable, they have the advantage in this category. Since they are made out of synthetic materials they can take more rough handling without damaging the baby. These dolls are recommended to children ages 3 and up by most manufacturers.
Maintenance– Just wipe clean with a damp cloth when dirtied up.
Realism – Reborn babies tend to be more realistic in the looks department. They are easily painted and customized to an individual.
Silicone Babies
A silicone baby doll if 100% silicone is typically custom-made by each individual creator. It’s a unique piece that represents the originality of its maker, and you can’t find another one quite like it anywhere else in the world! These creators make molds themselves of the babies they wish to recreate.
Cost – silicone is typically more costly than vinyl, therefore the prices tend to be higher per doll.
Mobility – Whereas these babies tend to be one full piece. They are more lifelike, in fact, in most cases, you have to support their heads like a real baby. They are extremely flexible but they can not stay in a position and hold it.
Durability– These dolls are more subject to wear and tear and need to be treated gently. They can tear more easily especially at their joints. These dolls are not recommended for use with children unless specifically advised by each creator.
Maintenance – These dolls need to be bathed like a real baby regularly. They tend to become sticky over time and will need to be baby powdered weekly to help cut down on stickiness.
Realism – Silicone babies are more realistic in the feel of the doll. They are softer and more easily cuddled. They also are most realistic in the movement and weight.
What do Reborn and Silicone Babies have in Common?
Reborn babies and silicone dolls both share a number of characteristics that people find either fascinating, repulsive or sometimes even scary.
Reborn baby dolls are lifelike child-like figures which look like newborns with their realistic features such as veins on the hands, hair loss due to real infant skin texture, and more. They have been gaining in popularity since they were introduced by Jinny Johnson back in 1981 when she was working at an agency for special needs kids who had lost siblings during birth complications (Silicone Babies). Reborns can last forever if taken care of properly but some owners tend to anthropomorphize them too much causing neglecting their health resulting in death because they want these toys just like how humans need love from others.
Reborn and Silicone baby dolls can be created with a variety of materials in each doll. For instance, the head, hands, and feet can be silicone or vinyl or any combination of the two and the body can be cloth! Before purchasing any of these dolls please review the description of the products very carefully.
Also, read any reviews carefully if possible, unfortunately not all reborn artist work is top-notch as no qualifications are needed to be an artist. You can find various breakdowns on brands’ best-selling dolls throughout the whole site but be sure to check out How Much are Silicone Baby Dolls? 4 Best Silicone Dolls.
Interested in learning more about Reborn baby dolls? Visit Reborn Baby Dolls 101 for 2021.
Watch an unboxing of a Reborn and Silicone Babies Below! Can you spot the differences?
Reborn Baby Doll
Silicone Baby Doll
So, what’s the difference between reborn and silicone baby dolls? In short, silicone dolls are made from a mold of a live baby, while reborn dolls are handmade with utmost care to look like a real baby. Reborn artists often use materials like Real Effect Yarn (a type of acrylic yarn that looks like hair), Genesis Heat Set Paints (to create realistic skin tones), and glass eyes (to make the doll’s eyes look life-like). Silicone dolls can be more expensive than reborn dolls because they require additional steps in the manufacturing process. Some people prefer the realism of a reborn doll, while others find them creepy. Which do you think is better – silicone or reborn? Let us know in the comments.
