The Journey of a Reborn Baby: What Happens After You Place Your Order?

When you order a reborn baby from Willow Tree Reborns, there's quite a bit that happens before that little one arrives at your door. From choosing the kit and agreeing on the finer details to the painting, box opening and final preparations for shipping, every order has its own journey.

Some babies begin with a kit I've worked with before, while others start with something completely new. I love both, but there's something particularly exciting about working with a new kit and discovering how that little face will look once the painting begins.

Orders can come through my website or via Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and no two conversations are quite the same. Some customers know exactly what they're looking for, while others are happy to let me make suggestions based on my previous work. Either way, we work together to decide on the details before I get started.

So, if you've ever wondered what happens between placing an order and meeting your new reborn baby, here's a look behind the scenes.

Handmade reborn baby by Willow Tree Reborns with baby clothes and accessories.

1. It All Starts With a Conversation

Whether you've spotted a baby in my online shop, seen one of my creations on social media or have an idea for a baby you'd love me to make, the first step is talking through what you have in mind.

Some customers come to me knowing exactly which kit they want, while others have seen a particular baby I've painted and would love something similar. Occasionally, someone comes with a completely new idea, and we start exploring the possibilities together.

I'm always happy to offer suggestions based on my previous work. After all, you might know that you love a particular look without knowing which kit, colouring or hair style would best achieve it.

There's no need to have every detail worked out before getting in touch. We can talk through the options, look at suitable kits and work out what's possible within your preferences and budget.

Babies currently available in my shop

2. Choosing Your Baby and Their Little Details

Once we have an idea of the baby you'd like, we can start discussing the details that will help shape the finished result.

This is one of the most personal parts of the process. Some customers prefer to leave most of the artistic decisions to me, while others enjoy being involved in choosing the finer details. Both approaches work well, and we can find the right balance for you.

Depending on the kit, we can discuss hair, eye colour, gender, skin tone and any additional details you'd like to include.

Hair: Would you prefer painted hair or individually rooted hair? Both have their own look, and rooted hair also adds to the time needed to complete a baby.

Eye colour: For open-eyed kits, we can discuss your preferred eye colour and what will work with the chosen sculpt.

Gender: You can choose a boy, a girl or, where appropriate, a more gender-neutral look. Clothing and accessories can then be selected to suit.

Skin tone: Every baby is different, and skin tone is an important part of planning the painting. I've had more enquiries recently for babies with darker skin tones, and I'm happy to discuss the possibilities and the colouring that will suit the chosen kit.

Personal details: Some customers ask about birthmarks, newborn-style rashes or other individual details. These can be discussed before painting so we can agree on what's suitable for the kit and what can realistically be achieved.

Belly plates: Some kits come with matching belly plates, which can add another dimension to the finished baby. If one is available for your chosen kit, we can discuss whether you'd like to include it.

I want you to feel comfortable with the decisions we've made before I begin. That doesn't mean you need to choose every tiny detail yourself, but it does mean we have a shared understanding of the baby we're working towards.

Once we've agreed on the kit, the baby's details and the box opening, I'll confirm the estimated completion time. That gives us a plan to work towards before the kit is ordered and the painting begins.

4. Ordering the Kit and Getting Started

Once everything has been agreed and the estimated timescale confirmed, I'll order the kit if I don't already have it in the studio.

Sometimes this means returning to a sculpt I've painted before. I may already have a good idea of how I'd like to approach the colouring, having seen how the kit responds to my painting techniques.

Other times, it's a completely new kit.

I always find that particularly exciting. Even when we've discussed the details beforehand, there's still an element of discovery when I start working on a new sculpt and see how the finished baby begins to take shape.

From here, the time and work involved will depend on the kit and the options we've chosen. A baby with rooted hair, for example, will take longer than one with painted hair, and any additional details need to be factored into the process.

5. Following Your Baby's Progress

Reborning isn't something that happens overnight. The painting develops gradually, with layers of colour and detail building towards the finished appearance.

Throughout the process, I provide updates so you can follow your baby's progress rather than being left wondering how things are going.

Depending on the baby, the work may include building up realistic skin tones, adding delicate shading, creating the hair and completing the other details we've agreed on.

It's often the little details that make the difference, and I want to give each baby the attention they need rather than rush to meet a date.

As the work progresses, the baby gradually develops their own character. What started as a blank kit begins to look like the little one we discussed at the beginning.

For customers who have chosen a new sculpt or requested particular details, this can be an especially exciting stage. You're seeing the plans we talked about become a finished baby.

6. The Finishing Touches and Box Opening

When the painting is complete and the agreed details are in place, it's time to prepare everything for your baby's arrival.

I'll make sure the baby is finished and ready for their journey, and the box opening is put together with the items included in your chosen package.

This is where all the earlier decisions come together, from the baby's colouring and hair to the clothing and accessories selected for them.

I also like to include a few little surprises where possible. I won't reveal everything here, because discovering those extras is part of the fun of opening the parcel.

It's a lovely feeling to see everything ready after all the planning and painting. The baby is finally complete, and the next stage is getting them safely on their way.

7. Carefully Packed and On Their Way

After all the work that goes into creating a reborn baby, the last thing I want is for them to be poorly protected during their journey.

Your baby is carefully wrapped and securely boxed, with the included clothing, accessories and keepsakes prepared for their arrival. I take care with the packing so everything is ready for the journey to you.

Once the parcel is ready, I arrange shipping as quickly as possible. After waiting for a made-to-order baby to be completed, I know how exciting it is to hear that they're finally on their way.

And then comes the part I've been working towards all along: the moment your baby arrives and you get to open the box for yourself.

8. Meeting Their New Mummy

One of my favourite things about creating reborn babies is seeing photographs of them once they've arrived in their new homes.

I love seeing them dressed in their new outfits, tucked into blankets, cuddled up with their new mummy or simply settled somewhere cosy.

Every collector has their own way of enjoying their baby, and it's lovely to see the little touches that make them part of somebody's everyday life.

I always love seeing your photographs, so if you've ordered a baby from me and would like to share a picture once they arrive, please do. It's wonderful to see where they end up and how much enjoyment they bring.

The baby may leave my studio, but seeing them settled into their new home is a lovely way for that journey to come full circle.

Thinking About Ordering Your Own Reborn Baby?

Whether you've fallen in love with a baby already available in my shop or would like to discuss a made-to-order reborn, you're welcome to get in touch.

You don't need to know exactly which kit or details you want before starting a conversation. We can explore the options, discuss your preferences and work out what's possible together.