Callum Jones
A woman who has 'adopted' eight realistic dolls and admitted to breastfeeding the 'younger ones' has responded to people who think it's 'creepy'.
In October 2023, Kelly White became interested in realistic dolls after seeing a YouTube video showing off an impressive collection.
Shortly after the 28-year-old purchased her first doll, Jennifer, having initally planned to use the doll as a prop.
However, Kelly quickly 'felt attached' to Jennifer, and soon enough, her 'reborn' doll collection began to grow.
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To date, Kelly, from Long Island, New York, has eight dolls and has spent a whopping $2,000 on the collectibles.
"I've been wanting to be a mom since I was eight," Kelly said.
"I got attached to her [Jennifer] 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 even used to breastfeed her younger dolls, but now they have grown up, she bottles feeds them instead.
She makes the 'milk' from flour and water.
Kelly continued: "I got really interested in the reborn collection as soon as I got my first toddler doll for my birthday last year."
Jennifer, the OG doll, stands at a whopping 39 inches, and even has her own bed in Kelly's room.
On top of that, Kelly has two-year-old dolls - Summer, twins Molly and Antony, Ashley, Elizabeth, Michael, and Adam.
Emily, a new doll, is set to join the squad this month as Kelly continues to grow her collection of realistic dolls.
While most of Kelly's dolls are kept in cribs in the living room, baby Adam joins Jennifer in the main bedroom alongside Kelly.
Kelly 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 7.00pm I get them all ready for bed and I play some songs on an ocarina."
The dolls even come out and about with Kelly, as the New York woman has a double stroller she can use to take her dolls to the park or even out to a restaurant.
Eventually, Kelly wants to adopt actual children, and is getting the 'practice' in with her dolls.
She continued: "Some people think it is weird.
"I get some comments such as 'women playing with reborn dolls is weird'.
"Sometimes people all they do is stare. Sometimes 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."