Kellie Eldred, a collector of hyper-realistic baby dolls from Ithaca, New York, describes the vast network of doll buyers, sellers, creators and collectors she belongs to as 'a little crazy'. Members from Sydney to Manchester, Tokyo to San Jose spend upwards of $20,000 for one doll to add to their nurseries. Most are women, some with children of their own, many without.
Eldred found her first reborn doll on eBay in 1999. Stripped of its factory-made features, it had been remodeled by an artist to better resemble an actual infant. Its torso was weighted with flour and painted with realistic flesh tones. The doll bore a striking resemblance to her daughter Lexi as a baby.
Since then, social media has expanded the number of worldwide collectors significantly. Over 30,000 people subscribe to Eldred's YouTube channel, where videos of her cuddling, changing and talking about dolls have amassed more than 14,450,000 views. The latest dolls are custom-shaped from proprietary silicone blends and poured into molds sculpted in the likeness of real newborns.
Eldred keeps the hobby mostly to herself offline. She doesn't take the dolls out in public, unlike some collectors. While her adult daughters are not fussed by her collecting, her husband occasionally makes derisive remarks during disagreements. Coping with outside judgment is a recurring topic on her YouTube channel.
Despite the finger-pointing from outsiders, Eldred and other collectors find comfort and joy in the hobby. The dolls provide a therapeutic outlet, though enthusiasts are often dismissed as grown women playing mommy.
