Caring for Your Reborn
Bringing home a reborn baby is always exciting. Whether it's your very first reborn or the latest addition to your collection, a little care goes a long way in keeping your baby looking beautiful for years to come.
Every reborn I create at Willow Tree Reborns is painted by hand and assembled with care, making each baby a unique piece of art. While reborns are designed to be cuddled and enjoyed, they do need a little more care than an ordinary doll.
Handle With Care
One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to treat your reborn as you would a real baby.
Always support the head when picking your baby up, avoid pulling on limbs, and handle them gently. Reborns are weighted to feel realistic, which is part of their charm, but it also means they should be lifted carefully.
Young children can absolutely enjoy reborns, but adult supervision is recommended, especially with collector-quality babies.
Cleaning Your Reborn
Keeping your reborn clean is simple.
A soft damp cloth and plain water are all that's needed for occasional cleaning. Avoid using baby wipes, lotions, oils, or household cleaning products, as these can damage the paintwork and vinyl over time.
When in doubt, less is more.
Watch Out for Sunlight and Heat
Reborns love being displayed, but it's best to avoid placing them in direct sunlight for long periods.
Strong sunlight and extreme temperatures can affect the vinyl and may cause fading over time. The same applies to very cold environments, so it's worth choosing a comfortable spot in your home if your baby is on display.
Be Careful With Dark Clothing
One of the most common causes of marks on reborns is dye transfer from clothing.
Dark fabrics, particularly denim and brightly coloured outfits, can transfer dye onto the vinyl. Washing new clothes before dressing your reborn can help, but I always recommend checking garments regularly, especially if they're being worn for extended periods.
Outfit Changes
As collectors, we all love dressing our babies in adorable outfits. However, frequent clothing changes can create friction against the painted vinyl, which may eventually lead to shine or wear in certain areas.
There's no need to avoid changing outfits altogether—just handle your baby gently and take your time.
Magnets and Dummies
Many reborns, including some of mine, contain strong magnets inside the head to hold a magnetic dummy in place.
If your baby has a magnet fitted, please keep it away from pacemakers and other sensitive medical devices.
Enjoy Your Baby
At the end of the day, reborns are meant to be enjoyed.
Whether your baby spends its days on display in the nursery, accompanying you to doll shows, or simply being cuddled while you relax with a cup of tea, the most important thing is that it brings you happiness.
A little care and attention will help keep your reborn looking its best, allowing you to enjoy your baby for many years to come.
Thank you for choosing and supporting handmade reborn artistry.
Nicole x
