To choose your first reborn baby doll, you only need to answer five simple questions: do you prefer a sleeping baby or one with open eyes? What size would you like to hold in your arms? Do you want to be able to bathe it (full vinyl body) or mostly cuddle it (cloth body)? Do you enjoy styling hair, or would you rather have painted, care-free baby fuzz? And finally, what exactly comes in the box? Once these points are clear, your choice quickly narrows down to two or three babies.
In this guide, we walk through each criterion with real examples from our own babies, a comparison chart, advice for different profiles and the most common mistakes people make with a first adoption.
5 questions to ask before choosing your first reborn baby doll
Before you browse the photos (and fall for the first sweet face you see), take two minutes to jot down your answers:
- Which expression touches me most? A baby sleeping peacefully, or a gaze that meets mine?
- What size? A tiny 43-45 cm (17-18 in) newborn, or a 50-55 cm (20-22 in) baby that fills your arms?
- How will I use it day to day? Bath time, dressing up, cuddles, displaying it in a nursery?
- How much care am I happy to give? Hair to style, or a baby that's ready to cuddle straight away?
- What's included, and on what terms? Outfit, accessories, delivery time, returns.
There's no wrong answer: the right first reborn is simply the one that fits the way you'll live with it.
Criterion 1: sleeping or awake
First impressions often decide, and that's perfectly natural: the expression gives the baby its whole personality.
- A sleeping reborn has closed eyelids and a peaceful face. It radiates calm and looks lovely tucked into a bassinet or on a bed. That's the case for Rosalie and Lou, both in our sleeping reborn babies.
- An awake reborn has acrylic eyes, sometimes real lashes, and a gaze that creates an instant connection. You'll find them all in our reborn babies with open eyes.
Our tip: look closely at the photos and ask yourself which one makes you want to pick it up. If you're really torn, think about the room it will live in: a sleeping baby blends naturally into a quiet bedroom, while an awake baby draws the eye in a living room.
Criterion 2: size, from 43 to 55 cm
Our babies measure between 43 and 55 cm (about 17 to 22 inches) depending on the model. A few centimeters make a big difference in how they feel in your arms:
- 43 to 45 cm (17-18 in): a small newborn, easy to hold, place and photograph. Ideal if you love petite babies.
- 47 to 50 cm (18.5-20 in): the size of a full-term newborn. The most versatile choice for a first reborn.
- 55 cm (22 in): a bigger baby who nestles against you like a real infant a few weeks old.
Watch out for "legs bent" measurements
Some babies are sculpted in a curled-up pose. Their size is then given including bent legs, as with Rosalie or Capucine (about 45 cm). Always read this detail on the product page: it tells you how the baby really looks.
Criterion 3: full vinyl body or cloth body
This is the most important criterion for everyday life, because it determines what you can do with your baby.
Full soft vinyl body
The baby is vinyl from head to toe. Its big advantage: it can take a bath, as long as it's dried well afterward. That's the case for Léa, Rosalie, Lou, Léon and the twins Alice and Rose.
Stuffed cloth body
The head, arms and legs are vinyl and the body is soft stuffed cloth. The result: a softer, very cuddly baby that snuggles against you. The trade-off: it can't go in the water. That's the case for Capucine and Margot.
In short: if bath time is part of the dream, choose full vinyl. If you picture cozy cuddles on the sofa, a cloth body is perfect.
Criterion 4: painted or rooted hair
- Hand-rooted hair: real strands you can touch and style. Perfect if you enjoy little rituals (a soft brush, a hair clip, a headband). Examples: Léa, Rosalie, Capucine, Léon.
- Hand-painted hair: very lifelike newborn fuzz that never tangles and needs no care at all. Examples: Lou, Margot, Alice and Rose.
For a first reborn, both options are excellent. Painted hair often reassures people who worry about ruining a hairstyle; rooted hair appeals to those who love brushing and changing looks.
Criterion 5: weight and how it feels in your arms
You hold a reborn like a baby, not like a toy, and weight is part of that feeling. Léa and Margot weigh about 1.3 kg (2.9 lb); Léon and each of the twins about 1 kg (2.2 lb). Also check the movements listed on the product page: Léa, Capucine and Margot have a head, arms and legs that move freely, and Rosalie and Capucine can sit or lie down.
Criterion 6: what's included and the terms of purchase
A first purchase should feel reassuring. Always check the product page for:
- The layette: every Nidora baby arrives with its outfit, its pacifier (magnetic on some models, such as Rosalie, Lou or Capucine), its baby bottle and its birth certificate.
- Props in the photos: a plush toy or bracelet shown in a photo isn't necessarily included. The product page says so.
- Clothing size: newborn for Léa, 0-3 months for Rosalie, Capucine and Margot, 3-6 months for Lou. Handy for building a wardrobe.
- Shipping and returns: at Nidora, shipping is free and tracked, with delivery in 12 to 16 business days, and you have 14 days after receipt to change your mind.
Comparison chart of our reborn babies
| Baby | Size | Eyes | Body | Hair | Bath |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lou | approx. 43 cm | Closed | Full vinyl | Painted | Yes |
| Rosalie | approx. 45 cm | Closed | Full vinyl | Rooted | Yes |
| Capucine | approx. 45 cm | Open, blue | Stuffed cloth | Rooted | No |
| Alice and Rose (twins) | 45 to 50 cm | Open, blue | Full vinyl | Painted | Yes |
| Léon | 47 to 50 cm | Open | Full vinyl | Rooted | Yes |
| Léa | 50 cm | Open | Full vinyl | Rooted | Yes |
| Margot | 55 cm | Open | Stuffed cloth | Painted | No |
You'll find every model on our Our babies page.
Which first reborn suits you best?
You dream of bath time
Go for a full vinyl baby: Léa if you like open eyes and hair to style, Rosalie or Lou if you prefer a sleeping baby.
Cuddles come first
A stuffed cloth body is made for you. Capucine is a petite 45 cm with big blue eyes; Margot, at 55 cm, nestles against you like a real infant.
You want a small, easy-to-place baby
Lou, about 43 cm, is our smallest baby. Her painted hair needs no care at all.
You'd love a baby boy
Léon, 47 to 50 cm, with golden-blond hand-rooted hair and a matte finish for natural-looking skin.
You're tempted by two babies
The twins Alice and Rose can be adopted separately or together. For a very first reborn, starting with one is still a good idea: you'll discover what you really love before growing the family.
Mistakes to avoid with a first adoption
- Choosing from a photo alone without reading the product page: actual size, body material and whether it can be bathed are all listed there.
- Bathing a cloth-body baby: a stuffed cloth body must not go in the water.
- Giving it to a child: a reborn is a delicate collectible for adults and is not suitable for children under 14.
- Displaying it just anywhere: keep it away from heat, intense cold, staining items (ink, felt-tip pens) and pets.
- Buying clothes at random: rely on the clothing size listed rather than centimeters alone.
New to this world? Our article What is a reborn baby doll? explains its origins and how it is made step by step.
FAQ: choosing your first reborn baby doll
What size should my first reborn baby be?
47 to 50 cm (18.5-20 in), close to a full-term newborn, is the most versatile size. If you prefer a petite, easy-to-place baby, 43 to 45 cm is ideal; for a baby that fills your arms, go for 55 cm.
Is a sleeping or an awake reborn better for beginners?
Both are great choices. A sleeping baby radiates calm, an awake baby creates a bond through its gaze. Pick the one that moves you most in the photos.
Can every reborn baby take a bath?
No. At Nidora, only babies with a full vinyl body can be bathed, and they must be dried well afterward. Babies with a cloth body must not go in the water.
What comes with a Nidora reborn baby?
Its outfit, pacifier, baby bottle and birth certificate. Shipping is free and tracked, with delivery in 12 to 16 business days.
Is a reborn baby doll suitable for a child?
No. It is a collectible intended for adults and is not suitable for children under 14.