After much research I am amazed at the abundant and unique variety of dolls manufactured today. There are many kinds of modern dolls available; fashion dolls, character dolls, toddler dolls, and baby dolls. The focus of this article is to take a look at the dolls manufactured by several modern doll companies to compare what is offered, and to analyze how each company interprets the meaning of "realistic" in the creation of realistic baby dolls.
The doll companies researched were Adora, Ashton Drake, American Girl, Corolle, Effanbee, Madame Alexander, and Middleton Doll. A review of the dolls offered by these companies reveals many varieties of dolls. It also reveals more than one interpretation of "realism." Realistic baby dolls made to appeal to children are uniquely different from realistic baby dolls made to appeal to adults.
All of the modern doll companies researched manufacture dolls for children's play, reborn baby doll one. Ashton Drake dolls appear to be essentially designed as collector dolls for adults. The dolls made by the other contemporary doll companies appear to have the same general characteristics. For a child, "real" is more than how the doll looks. How the doll can be related to, and how it appeals to other senses is important. How the doll feels to the touch is very important, as is the right size. It is essential that the doll is soft and cuddly, especially the dolls designated for young babies 0+. The sense of smell is also very important. Realistic baby dolls manufactured for children have the scent of baby powder added to the vinyl skin. As the child gets older, realistic baby dolls are represented by dolls that a young toddler or child can manipulate. The dolls can be fed, bathed, and dressed in several outfits. From the age of eighteen months on, dolls that are the right size and weight become very important. Most important, dolls for children have to be made sturdy enough to withstand much handling
What is interpreted as realistic for children, however, isn't the same as what is interpreted as realistic for adults. Realistic baby dolls for children are designed to appeal mainly to a child's kinesthetic sense of realism. Realistic baby dolls for adults are mainly designed to appeal to the sense of sight by resembling a real baby. Of the doll companies researched, only two offer realistic dolls designed to resemble real babies. Ashton Drake baby dolls have the look and feel of a real baby. However, not all of their collections represent a realistic size. Collectible baby dolls made by Middleton Doll have the look and feel of a real baby, as well as representing a real baby's size.