Not Just a Toy, But a Source of Comfort: "Baby Dolls" Gain Popularity Among British Women

Dolls Cost Up to 38 Million Won Each
Mainly Used to Help Women Heal After Miscarriage or Loss

The "Reborn Baby" doll, which even replicates the sound of a baby's breathing, is gaining popularity among adult women overseas. On October 23 (local time), the British Daily Mail analyzed the reasons why these baby dolls, which can cost up to 20,000 pounds (approximately 38 million won) each, are becoming popular among adult women.

Some women spare no expense on luxury baby products and care for dolls as if they were real babies. They emphasized the "healing potential," saying that women who have lost babies or experienced miscarriages, as well as those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Alzheimer's, dementia, and autism, find comfort in dolls. Small Miracles SNS

Some people view women who purchase these expensive baby dolls as "mentally unstable" due to the high price, but these dolls are mainly used to help women heal after experiencing miscarriages or similar losses. The Daily Mail introduced the story of Jo Miller, a woman in her 40s living in Suffolk, England. Miller is a mother of six children and a ribbon doll artist. She currently owns about 20 reborn dolls and holds a small ritual called a "box opening" every time she receives a new doll. She said, "I never open the box all at once. I start by looking at the baby's feet, then the hands, and finally reveal the face. It feels like the excitement of seeing a real baby for the first time."

She now runs a non-profit organization called "Small Miracles," where she gifts reborn dolls to people who have experienced miscarriages or the loss of a newborn. Miller said, "A reborn doll is not just a toy. For some people, it is a source of peace and comfort." She also commented on a recent incident in the UK where a woman was ridiculed for staging a "fake birth" using a baby doll, saying, "There must be a story behind such actions," and emphasized that people should not criticize without understanding. Earlier this month, a woman in her 20s living in Scotland caused controversy by pretending to have given birth using a reborn doll. She posted photos of a newborn on social media and received gifts and money from her family, but the truth was revealed when the doll was found in her room.

Helps Alleviate Anxiety, Autism, and ADHD

Some women spare no expense on luxury baby products and care for dolls as if they were real babies. These women include those who have lost a child or experienced a miscarriage, as well as individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Alzheimer's, dementia, and autism, who find comfort in dolls and emphasize their "healing potential." In fact, American pop star Britney Spears, who has spoken publicly about experiencing a miscarriage, has been seen carrying a reborn doll.

Jo Miller, a woman in her 40s living in Suffolk, England. Miller is a mother of six children and a ribbon doll artist. Small Miracles SNS

However, some people find these hyper-realistic baby dolls unsettling and view them with suspicion. In Brazil, a bill was recently proposed to ban these baby dolls from public places. Regarding this, British doll artist Johnstone said, "These dolls are like Marmite. You either love them or hate them." Marmite is a food product known for its polarizing taste.

Dr. Louise Goddard-Crawley, a psychologist, explained, "The brain circuits responsible for care and belonging operate instinctively. Hugging or caring for a doll stimulates the release of oxytocin and dopamine, which provides a sense of calm," highlighting the psychological benefits of reborn dolls. She added, "Most people know the doll is not a real baby, but the act of caring itself is comforting. This is not delusion, but the brain's natural self-healing process."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.