This is probably the strangest doll content that I’ve ever come across. There is a whole community of people who are dedicated to their hyper-realistic baby dolls. These things look extremely realistic and are made out of a floppy silicone material.

Some people simply collect them, and others use them for therapeutic purposes, however, on TikTok, people often role-play with them as though they are living, breathing, human babies. @sewrissaanddolls shared an unboxing video after receiving their new reborn which came in the standard cardboard box, with the head wrapped in cling film for protection. The reborn communities' presence online is just as baffling as people’s desire to own and “care” for their reborn babies.

@reborn.aslyka Vous avez passer de bonnes fêtes ? #reborndoll #rebornsilicone #siliconebaby #fy #fyp #pr #prt #pourtoi #rebornbaby #fyps #squishy #squishysquishy #rebornbaby #dollsilicone #trend #rebornsilicona #bebereborn #reborncommunity #reborns #fakebaby #doll #silicone #whatisthat #baby #mom #fyp #fypシ #prtoiシ #prt #pourtoi #rebornbaby #reborndoll #reborns #rebornvinilo #baby #fakebaby #babyreborn #doll #fakedoll #babylove #reborn #realborn #realbornbaby #beberebornrealista #rebornsilicone #siliconebaby #rebornbaby #rebornartist #fakebaby #reborns #reborncommunity #bebereborn #rebornsilicona #dollsilicone ♬ sonido original - The House Baby

“I have a serious question and [I’m] not being funny. For the adults that have reborns what is the reason? Can it be because y’all wished y’all had babies?” @mara asked in the comments.

The answer wasn’t so straightforward: “Diff reasons. Just like the elderly with dementia, it takes them back to when their kids were small. PTSD, anxiety, some women can't have kids, etc.”

“Just like ppl who collect trains or baseball cards. There's not always a deeper or sad reasoning behind it. It’s just another form of art to enjoy.”  

@sewrissaanddolls He’s perfect #reborn #rebornunboxing #unboxing #boxopening #reborns #fyp #newboy #newbaby ♬ Bundle of Joy (From "Inside Out") - Benny Martin

Vlog routines are popular among the community for those who are more into the roleplay side of reborns. They show off their baby gear and aesthetically walk their audience through their daily routines.

@sweetnursery Actually LOVE this video! || Poppy Mae - Luxe By Cassie Brace - @monickieurbanjos || #rebornbabydoll #reborndoll #bebereborn #babygirl #realisticdoll #luxebycassiebrace #newbornbaby #monickieurbanjos #rebornbaby #afternoon #afternoonvlog #vlog ♬ original sound - Niall Horan

Many of the videos tend to be met with support from other reborn parents (?) and collectors. However, the ones that have gone more viral have their comments turned off which only ever means one thing, they received some heavy backlash. For example, in a video, TikToker @ellsearth shows off a breathing machine that makes her reborn baby even more realistic.

@ellsearth Reply to @ellsearth its so loud and annoying tho #fyp #foryoupage #rebornbaby #dollcollector #babyfever #babiesoftiktok #babylove #newbornbaby #babystyle #babyaesthetic #realisticdoll ♬ Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) - Kate Bush

There are a few different sources for purchasing a reborn doll, some come in harder vinyl material, while the more expensive ones are squishy silicon, which offers a more realistic appearance. @rebornsofjess shows off her silicone baby, which cost around £1,000 from Reborn Artists.

@rebornsofjess Replying to @asiafox07 This is my most expensive! Made by @Beautiful_Leigh_Reborn, silicones usually cost over £1000. #rebornbaby #siliconedoll #siliconebaby #rebornsofjess ♬ original sound - RebornsofJess

Children’s Day is apparently coming up, so reborn retailers are offering discounts for collectors and future parents. Be careful not to mistake these babies for actual human children though, u/exhausted-human on Reddit shared their experience almost treating a reborn as a pediatric emergency nurse.

“I almost performed neonatal resuscitation on a reborn doll that someone had sleeping in its car seat in Target. Fucking hell. It looked dead.”

@thislittlenest This took so long lol #reborn #rebornbaby #reborncollector #reborncommunity #reborndolls #reborns #rebornsoftiktok #rebornsarelove #rebornmaddie #rebornmaddiekit ♬ original sound - Phoebe