A woman who has ‘adopted’ eight life-like dolls and even breastfeeds the ‘younger ones’ has addressed those who find it ‘creepy’.
In October 2023, Kelly White discovered the world of realistic dolls after stumbling across a YouTube video showcasing an impressive collection.
Not long after, the 28-year-old bought her first doll, Jennifer, initially planning to use her as a prop.
But Kelly quickly ‘felt attached’ to Jennifer, and before she knew it, her ‘reborn’ doll collection started to grow.
Now, Kelly, who lives in Long Island, New York, owns eight dolls and has spent around $2,000 on her treasured collection.
“I’ve been wanting to be a mom since I was eight,” Kelly shared.
“I got attached to her [Jennifer] as if she was an adopted child.”
“Suddenly I was spending clothes for her and a bed. They are comforting.”
“I’m living my truth of the life I want – as if I was a mom.”
At one point, Kelly even breastfed her younger dolls, but now that they’re ‘older,’ she bottle-feeds them instead.
She makes the ‘milk’ from a mixture of flour and water.
Kelly continued: “I got really interested in the reborn collection as soon as I got my first toddler doll for my birthday last year.”
The first doll, Jennifer, stands at an impressive 39 inches and even has her own bed in Kelly’s room.
Kelly’s collection also includes dolls like two-year-olds Summer, twins Molly and Antony, as well as Ashley, Elizabeth, Michael, and Adam.
A new addition, Emily, is expected to join the crew this month as Kelly continues expanding her family of realistic dolls.
While most of her dolls stay in cribs set up in the living room, baby Adam and Jennifer have a special spot in Kelly’s main bedroom.
Kelly shared: “I have a routine – I make them breakfast and get them all dressed.”
“I put a movie for them. We’re nearly done with a Disney marathon. They go everywhere with me.”
“By 7.00pm I get them all ready for bed and I play some songs on an ocarina.”
The dolls often go out and about with Kelly, who uses a double stroller to take them to parks and even out to restaurants.
One day, Kelly hopes to adopt real children, feeling that her dolls are helping her get some ‘practice’ in the meantime.
She went on: “Some people think it is weird.”
“I get some comments such as ‘women playing with reborn dolls is weird’.”
“Sometimes people all they do is stare. Sometimes people say something like – ‘that’s creepy’.”
“I’m not surprised some people don’t get it.”
“When I first got Jen I wanted to keep her a secret. I wanted her to be my child.”
“I’m an adoptive mom.”
