Make a Baby (Without the Birds and the Bees Part)

Reborning, the insanely creepy (!!) art of transforming vinyl dolls into strikingly realistic newborns, known as "living dolls" or "unliving dolls".

The dolls are used for two purposes: first, simply as a collectors item for doll enthusiasts, and second (this one is a bit scary), as a replacement for a deceased child or a child that has grown up.

The "mothers" bring their "babies" out in public on everyday errands, strolls through the park, and other various domestic activities. In Australia, the police actually smashed open a window to save a baby from the hot sun to find it was actually a doll.

Uh... not sure the dead child motivation is exactly healthy, but man, check out the skill that goes into making these things look real. It is incredible.

Scroll all the way down for a video gallery including BBC's mini-doc on the subject, as well as a few reborning tutorials.

Mind blowing. Click through for more amazing images from Reborn Baby Dolls.

Image credit.

• Previously, SFX Guru Hatches Big Disturbing Humans (NSFW).