For Maddie, being a teenage mom of two is a balancing act—though one of her little ones happens to be a reborn baby doll made of silicone.
At 19, Maddie first experienced the all-consuming love of motherhood when she welcomed her daughter, Ophelia. But as her real baby grew into an independent toddler, she found herself yearning for those early, delicate newborn moments. So, she made a surprising decision—she purchased a reborn baby doll.
A Second ‘Baby’ Joins the Family
Maddie, who hails from the UK, found solace in a reborn baby doll named Forrest. Unlike traditional dolls, these hyper-realistic figures are carefully crafted to mimic real infants, down to their delicate skin textures, glassy eyes, and even rooted hair.
“I’ve got two babies—only one of them breathes,” Maddie shared in a TikTok clip via Truly TV, where she candidly discusses life as both a biological and a reborn mom.
The demand for reborn dolls has skyrocketed, with some models fetching astronomical prices. Basic versions can cost hundreds, while custom designs—complete with lifelike movements and sounds—can go for as much as $25,000. For Maddie, though, Forrest was a far more affordable alternative to having another biological child.
The Emotional Pull of Reborn Baby Dolls
For many, reborn dolls serve as more than just playthings. Some women turn to them after experiencing miscarriage or infertility, finding comfort in their presence. Others, like content creator Kelly White, see them as an emotional and financial compromise—allowing them to nurture without the full responsibilities of real parenthood.
For Maddie, Forrest arrived with his own birth certificate, complete with a documented birth weight and date. He even came dressed in a tiny outfit embroidered with the words, “I love my mummy.”
But despite his lifelike appearance, Maddie is firm—her reborn baby doll is not just a toy.
“They’re not meant for kids,” she emphasized, addressing criticism she’s received online. “They’re collectible art pieces. I’m not just ‘playing’ with him.”
Backlash and Acceptance
Despite her love for Forrest, Maddie has faced harsh judgment from online critics. Some accuse her of neglecting her real daughter, while others dismiss her bond with the doll as strange.
“People think I favor him over Ophelia, which is absolutely not true,” she insisted. “She’s my priority.”
As for concerns that Ophelia might grow jealous of her doll sibling? Maddie shrugs them off.
“She knows he’s not real,” she said simply. “I don’t worry about it.”
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