12 “Don’ts” for Silicone Reborn Doll Owners
Maria Grover·May 24, 2022
Silicone reborn babies are, by their very nature, delicate dolls. And, like all fragile things of great value, extra care is needed in order to keep them in pristine condition. Here are some things to avoid when caring for your silicone reborn doll:
- Don’t rub your silicone doll with any amount of friction when cleaning dust off. If your silicone reborn baby gets a little dusty (and nearly all silicone babies attract dust over time), do your best not to rub the dust off with anything that causes friction (i.e. a microfiber cloth). A better method would be to use a makeup brush. (Make sure it is a high-quality brush, as you do not want the brush fibers to come off and get stuck to your reborn). Gently brush the dust off your baby. Then, if you like, use the makeup brush to apply a thin layer of silicone matting powder (or you can use a baby powder). If there is just one spot that needs dust removed, then gently use a little bit of scotch tape and the adhesive will pick up the dust or lint.
- Don’t bathe your silicone reborn doll too often. There are those that say it’s fine to bathe your silicone reborn doll, but many silicone doll makers advise against it. If you choose to bathe your doll, do it very sparingly. If you bathe your silicone doll too often, it’s very likely that it will damage the paint on your reborn doll. After bathing your doll, make sure you rinse it well with cold water. But, to reiterate, be careful not to rub your doll with too much friction when drying it. Better to pat it dry with a paper towel to dry the excess water clinging to the doll, and then let it air-dry the rest of the way.
- Don’t pick up your silicone reborn doll by its appendages. Be very careful to pick up your baby by its back (while supporting the head) and not by its arms or legs. Picking the baby up by its arms or legs can rip at the joints of the baby. Additionally, do not pull or tug on arms or legs in any way or force the arms into a position that they do naturally go, as it can damage the joints.
- Don’t neglect to support your silicone reborn doll’s head when you pick it up. Each time you pick up your silicone reborn, be very careful to support your baby’s head with one hand, and with the other hand support your baby’s back. You should never let the head tip back, as the silicone neck could stretch or tear, or on a partial silicone doll it could slip from the joint within the cloth body..
- Don’t use force when brushing your silicone reborn doll’s hair. If you wish to brush your silicone reborn doll’s hair, be sure to brush gently. The hair on your silicone baby is not sealed on the inside so it will shed a bit as it is. It will shed even more if you aren’t gentle when brushing or playing with your baby’s hair.
- Don’t use baby lotion on your silicone reborn doll. There is really no need to put lotion on your baby, as it won’t effectively moisturize silicone, and lotion can damage the paint on your silicone reborn.
- Don’t give your reborn baby any liquid except water if you have a drink-and-wet baby. Mold or mildew could develop from milk or formula. Also, the sugar residue from fruit juice could attract fruit flies.
- Don’t use any latex products with your silicone reborn doll. Common products in the reborn doll world that contain latex include gloves, sponges, pacifiers, and even some baby pillows and mattresses. Although latex will not directly cause damage to a completed doll, it prevents silicone products from curing, which means that if your baby should need repairs in the future, repairing would not be possible. So always check to see that whatever products you use in conjunction with your silicone baby are latex-free.
- Don’t leave your silicone baby on hard ridged or bumpy surfaces for an extended period of time. Leaving your reborn doll on hard surfaces with bumps or edges can cause dents in the silicone. It’s best to keep your baby on a baby mattress or soft blanket the majority of the time.
- Don’t put your finger too forcefully into your baby’s mouth. The corners of your silicone reborn baby’s mouth are very delicate and can split easily. When inserting a pacifier, gently place one pinky in your baby’s mouth and lightly pull it open.
- Don’t use a pacifier or bottle nipple that is too large for your reborn baby’s mouth. It can stretch or split the mouth. Again, the mouth is one of the most delicate areas of a silicone reborn doll. Err on the side of caution, if need be. Better to use a pacifier or bottle nipple that is on the smaller side rather than one that is too large for your baby’s mouth.
- Don’t use powder on the baby’s lips, nails, or eyelids. These areas have a sheen that needs to be protected, and using powder on them will remove their natural sheen.
A silicone reborn baby doll is an investment—an investment into a lifetime of happiness with your doll, as long as it is cared for properly. Be careful not to make any of the above mistakes and you will go a long way to avoid unwittingly damaging your silicone reborn baby.