Some of my favorite Life like dolls I have created over the last few years! Vote for my site on Top 100 reborn Dolls toprebornsites.gotop100.com Captured Moments Nursery Website: www.captured-moments-nursery.com Owner/Artist: Jenn Holcomb Email Address: jenn-holcomb@cox.net eBay Name: captured-moments-nursery www.internationalreborndollartists.com
Here's my way of making fake formula/milk bottles
supplies needed; clear plastic baby bottle, bottle nipple with ring and disk, something to stir with, hot water, carpenters glue (yellow), strong glue, like super glue for sealing, silicone (aquarium type is fine) for sealing hole in nipple if so desired, tooth pick NOTE: I usually mix my fake formula in the bottle itself, so have the chosen bottle prepared, and choose your method of sealing (either just the nipple hole is sealed ((sealant inside nipple top))or the sealing disk will be glued to the top of the bottle then the nipple and ring is placed on). I like to use any carpenter's glue, the slight yellow glue makes a great formula color. I pour glue into the bottle, up to the one ounce line for a 2 oz bottle, 2 ounce line for a 4 ounce bottle etc. I then add hot water up to the 4,6,8 ounce mark. (leave room for proper shaking for remixing any separated substances and for making those 'gassy' bubbles in the 'fake' formula.) Then mix the 'fake' formula a bit with the end of a spoon, Popsicle stick, paint brush handle etc.(for 'breast milk just add extra water for a thinner consistency)
To 'seal' the fake bottle: Be sure the top edge of the bottle is dry, apply a thin line of glue to the very edge of the bottle opening. Set on the little sealing disk, aligning to cover the entire opening. Quickly screwing on the ring and nipple helps with alignment. Screw on tightly let dry for an hour, and shake! If you choose not to be able to remove the nipple and ring, then also apply the glue to the thread of the nipple ring and threads on the bottle itself, thin lines of glue should do. Screw on the nipple and ring tightly
Sealing the hole in the nipple: to allow fake milk to fill the nipple (I don't care for this method as there is always the potential for the silicone plug to dislodge, thus allowing leaking, but some reborn doll collectors like the realism!) Using the silicone, aquarium type seams to be the favorite, apply to the end of a toothpick and carefully put it inside the nipple to cover the hole area, I would allow this to dry for at least a day, then follow the above methods, minus gluing the sealing disk to the top of the bottle. I would glue, again super glue works great here, the nipple and the ring to the bottle, apply the glue to the threads and screw on tightly, allow to dry before shaking.
Another note: I have only thrown out this type of fake formula one time in six years...all the others are still like new!Be aware that if you choose anything organic or like paint, vanilla flavoring to color formula...it may get moldy!
Other recipes for 'fake' formula and juices (Remember that 'real' food products will get moldy after a period of time)
Formula: white colored fabric softener mixed with water, a few drops of vanilla flavoring added to any white mixture, white glue with a bit of yellow paint, few teaspoons of flour to water white acrylic paint to paint the inside of a clear bottle, gives the illusion of formula no liquid need, putting white poly fill (stuffing for bears and dolls),inside a clear bottle (the least realistic though) great for young children's play doll bottles!
Apple juice:brown marker dipped in water until the desired color, a drop each of red and orange food coloring added to about 6-8 ounces of water,
Orange juice:one to a few drops each of yellow and red of food coloring to 6-8 oz of water, one to a few drops of red and yellow acrylic paint added to water
If your reborn doll does not have an open mouth, you can still use a 'fake' formula bottle! Some people do not use a nipple at all. They glue the disk and nipple less ring to the bottle, and just place the bottle to the lips of the doll, some add a magnet to the disk before sealing and a magnet inside the doll behind the lips, drawing the bottle to the doll's mouth. Using an empty, white, or any colored bottle for this is great for a reborn that may look like it's drinking by itself (the light weight helps)I use a 'fake' formula bottle with a nipple, sealed tightly and I push on the top of the nipple, inverting it in on itself...thus making it barely visible! Then I put the bottle to the doll's mouth, pushing just a bit, and wallah, looks like the baby doll is drinking from the bottle!
Want to make a magnetic pacifier for your reborn doll? See my article with instructions for these pacifiers!
Article written by Reborn Doll Artist Robin Gilbert
The latest wonder item to hit the stores is reborn baby dolls or fake babies. These fake babies have a number of physical features which have contributed to their sudden and sure popularity. Apart from their physical attributes, the fake babies or reborn baby dolls have a lot of utility as far as learning baby care is concerned .Foster mummies can become experts and acquire seasonal experience just by remaining in the company of these fake babies.
Reborn baby dolls are attractive to look at and, soft and cuddly to touch. Their bodies are made of soft material and vinyl. There are fine glass granules in hands and feet to give them the human softness and suppleness. There is fibber fill in heads. Most of this material is hypo allergic but, people sensitive to any of it, or having pacemakers better check it up with the manufacturers before making a purchase. There is a wispy bunch of soft hair attached to the head which needs shampooing and conditioning just like a human baby’s hair. The fake babies come fully clothed. Depending on the purchaser, the clothes of the reborn baby dolls range from jumpers to feet pyjamas, cardigan to skirts, frocks to t-shirts. If you are buying an ethnic fake baby, you will, of course, be getting clothes accordingly.
Your fake baby will not just come with clothes easily worn even by real babies, but, will bring a soft fleece blanket in soft, baby colors to make the whole surroundings cozy. You can even order for a companion to accompany your fake baby home. It can be a teddy bear. Oh. Fake babies are given at least one diaper also to take home to their new mummies.
Accessories for the fake babies include bracelets which top the list. These bracelets or even faux diamond ear-rings are again hypoallergenic, but, need care that is specified in the list to do list provided to buyer at the time of the purchase. Many fake babies do not have magnets and their pacifiers are modified so as to make them user friendly.
Foster mummies, apart from getting a baby that looks and feels almost like the real, get a chance to learn to care for their own future baby. The expectant mothers who are first timers have no or little experience of changing diapers, laying down and picking up the baby, washing and ironing baby clothes. They have absolutely no idea what caring for a new born entails. They cannot even carry a baby properly but the fake baby can teach all this to its new foster mummy as it has a jointed body which makes it easier to move the limbs. Fake babies can teach us to love our own babies. Popular websites like eBay and Amazon can give the purchaser an idea about the cost for good bargains; the purchaser must check prices at all available sites.
I am promotion manager for a niche store Reborn Babies Dolls.