A woman is an “adoptive mom” to her eight reborn dolls — and breastfeeds them, makes them breakfast and takes them everywhere with her.
Kelly White, 28, became interested in the realistic dolls after seeing a YouTube video showing off a collection.
The cosplay lover had originally wanted to use the doll as a prop but began to feel “attached to her.”
Over the last year Kelly has grown her collection to eight and says she has spent around $2,000 on them.
She used to breastfeed her younger dolls but now bottle feeds them — making “milk” from flour and water.
Kelly, a content creator from Long Island, said: “I’ve been wanting to be a mom since I was eight.
“I got attached to her as if she was an adopted child.
“Suddenly I was spending clothes for her and a bed.
“They are comforting.
“I’m living my truth of the life I want — as if I was a mom.”
Kelly came across the video in October 2023 and bought her first doll — Jennifer.
She said: “I got really interested in the reborn collection as soon as I got my first toddler doll for my birthday last year.”
Jennifer stands at 39 inches and has her own bed in Kelly’s room.
Kelly started adding to her collection this year after she made some money through the TikTok creator fund.
Kelly now has two-year-old dolls — Summer, twins Molly and Antony, Ashley, Elizabeth, Michael, and Adam.
She is also planning to get a new one — Emily — this month.
Kelly said: “It was cool that they looked like a real baby.
“It appeals that they look realistic.”
Kelly keeps most of the dolls in cribs in the living room but has baby Adam and Jennifer in her room.
She said: “I have a routine — I make them breakfast and get them all dressed.
“I put a movie for them.
“We’re nearly done with a Disney marathon.
“They go everywhere with me.
“By 7 p.m. I get them all ready for bed and I play some songs on an ocarina.”
Kelly has a double stroller and takes it in turn to take the dolls out with her — to the park or to restaurants.
She wants to adopt her own children but is currently struggling to find work — stopping her dreams.
Instead she gets to “practice” with her dolls.
Kelly said: “I lost count on how many clothes I have bought for them.
“I’ve spent a couple of thousand dollars on them — it’s very worth it.
“Taking care of them is comforting.”
Kelly is now confident going out with her dolls but says she does get negative comments online and in person.
She said: “Some people think it is weird.
“I get some comments such as ‘women playing with reborn dolls is weird.’
“Sometimes people all the do is stare.
“Sometime people say something like ‘that’s creepy.’
“I’m not surprised some people don’t get it.
“When I first got Jen I wanted to keep her a secret.
“I wanted her to be my child.
“I’m an adoptive mom.”
