Reborns: The Guide to Safely Traveling

I live in the Midwest and my family lives in California, so I travel regularly. Reborns is a hobby that I absolutely adore. As someone who has dabbled in the artistry, and collects these babies, I had a desire to share my passion with my family across the country. When I last visited them, I chose to take one of my beautiful reborns along with me.

Honestly, when I packed my reborn for a trip, I was terrified. My stomach ached the whole day before the trip began. I had read horror stories about TSA pulling dolls apart, even removing their heads, during inspections. I prepared by taking extra zip ties on my carry on, just in case I had to repair my baby on a bench after security.

I had my reborn packed neatly in my suitcase, and when it went through the X-ray scanner, I knew what was coming. The outline of a baby showed up on the screen, and sure enough, TSA pulled my bag aside. They opened my suitcase, removed my doll, inspected it, and even swabbed it for safety checks. After a few minutes, I was cleared. From then on, I decided to carry my reborn, so his vinyl wouldn’t be damaged in the suitcase. Of course, this meant a whole new set of challenges. From curious looks, questions from strangers, and a lot of conversations with people who thought I was holding a real newborn.  

That experience taught me a lot. Through trial and error, I have learned how to prepare and how to travel with reborns, how to keep them safe and make the journey smoother. Whether you’re flying across the country, driving to a reborn meetup, or simply taking your baby on a road trip, I want to share tips and encouragement so you can travel confidently with your reborn.

Prepare Ahead of Time

Every trip is different, and your experience may be different than mine. Preparation is always key. Traveling with a reborn isn’t like tossing a t-shirt into your suitcase. You need a plan.

*Pack extra supplies. Bring sip ties and a small blanket. If TSA decides to open your reborn, you’ll want to be ready to put them back together securely.

*Allow for extra time. Security lines are stressful enough, add in security doing an extra check on your baby. It’s best to arrive 30 minutes earlier than normal, just for peace of mind.

*Expect reactions and prepare your response. People may gasp at the baby shape on the scanner, and others may approach you thinking you’re holding a newborn. Have simple responses prepared ahead of time. (ex. “He’s a reborn doll. It’s a hobby and form of art”). This can save you from stumbling under pressure.  

Preparing for your trip with a reborn helps shift the trip from stressful to manageable.

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Protect Your Reborn

Deciding how to pack or carry your reborn depends on your comfort level and how long your journey is.

*Choosing to pack reborn in luggage: If you choose to pack your reborn in your suitcase, do it gently. Wrap the head and hair in plastic wrap to prevent pain rubs of hair damage. Swaddle your reborn in a soft blanket or bubble wrap to cushion bumps. Try placing your reborn in the middle of your suitcase, surrounded by clothes for extra padding.  

*Choosing to carry your reborn: If you choose to carry your baby with you, understand that public environments can be unpredictable. Keep your doll clean by using a light blanket to shield against dust of sticky fingers. And always be mindful of the climate.

   *Never leave them in a hot car as heat can cause vinyl to melt or warp.

   *Humidity can make them sticky.

   *Extreme cold can make them brittle.

Remember, your reborn is a precious piece of art, so treat them as such.

Understanding Airport Security

Let’s discuss the scariest part, security. TSA agents don’t see reborns daily. To them, it’s unusual, but they have to make sure everything is safe. Let’s go through the steps:

1.     When you get to security, you’ll prepare by removing your jacket, shoes, and electronics.

2.     If the reborn is in the suitcase, they will have to open it anyway, so go ahead and take the doll out so they can scan it.

3.     They will need to do an extra inspection and may swab the doll to test for explosives or other substances.

4.     In rare cases, they may remove the head. This is where your zip ties come in handy.

Here’s my advice. Carry your reborn through security instead of leaving them in your suitcase. It speeds things up because the agents can immediately see that it’s a doll, not a hidden object. It may feel awkward, but it’s a lot less stressful than having them dig through your luggage. 

Handling Public Reactions

Once you’re past security, you may then face public reactions. Many reborns are incredibly realistic, and when carried in public, people often assume they’re real.

*Expect curiosity. You may receive questions from strangers on airplanes, in waiting areas, of even in restaurants. Some people are fascinated and want to know more while others may wonder why you’re traveling with a doll.

*Expect confusion. Airport staff may mistake your reborn for a newborn and aske for their boarding pass. Prepare to kindly explain it’s a doll.

*Expect judgement. Not everyone understands the hobby and that’s okay! Remember, they’re traveling with you, not for others’ approval.  

I’ve had sweet moments where people lit up when they realized it was a doll, sharing stories of their own hobbies or even of children they miss. Traveling with a reborn can open doors to connection if you’re willing to have those conversations.

Traveling by Car or Train

We’ve talked about flying, but car rides and train trips also require preparation.

*If you’re traveling by car, keep your reborn shaded and away from direct sunlight for long periods of time. A car seat can be a safe option to protect yourself from projectiles in the case of an accident.

*If you’re traveling by train, you may get curious glances. It may be easier to carry your reborn in a carrier or wrapped in a blanket to make the journey smoother.

Whatever the method, always build in extra time. Unexpected stops, accidents, or delays happen, and rushing while juggling a reborn only adds stress.

Encouragement for Fellow Travelers

The first time you travel with a reborn, you may get the jitters. You’ll feel anxious, maybe fearful. But once you do it, you’ll realize it’s completely possible.

Your reborn is far more than just a doll. It’s art, comfort, and in many cases, therapy. If holding your reborn makes travel easier for you, there’s no reason to deny yourself that comfort.

Here are some final reminders:

*You are allowed in public with your hobby. You belong here. Don’t let fear of judgement stop you from doing what you love.

*Respect other people’s curiosity but there’s no need to overexplain. A simple, confident explanation is enough.

*Most of all, enjoy your trip! At the end of the day, your reborn is there to enhance your experience, not create extra stress.

Final Thoughts

Traveling with a reborn isn’t always easy but it is worth it. With preparation and a little confidence, you can safely bring your reborn along for any adventure. Whether you’re flying across the country to visit family, road-tripping to a reborn convention, or hopping on a train to visit the beach, your reborn can travel safely right alongside you.

I’ll never forget that first trip, the nervous stomach, and the relief once I finally sat down on the plane with my baby in my arms. Now, every time I travel with a reborn, I feel more comfortable and confident. If you’ve been hesitant to take your reborn along, let this be your sign. It’s absolutely possible, and you’ll likely come away with stories, memories, and maybe even new friends along the way.