My Little BABY Born Nappy Time doll review

This time two years ago we’d kitted out the Wee Man with his own little ‘baby’ that he could carry around (upside down by one leg), bath, push around in a little stroller, and (attempt to) change clothes on. And he loved it. The ‘baby’ went everywhere with him, and by the time his real baby sister arrived he had learnt how to be a great help with nappy changes and bathtime.

Bubby D is not imminently to be an older sibling like the Wee Man was, but she was very excited when the My Little BABY Born Nappy Time was delivered by the postman.

No sooner had I removed the packing paper than squeals of frustration began as I had to get the baby (and the two nappies and small bottle that come with her) out of the box. And it did take some time, as it was all well secured in with various plastic ties which I suspect I am not alone in finding to be the bane of my life when it comes to kids and toys.

The Nappy Time doll has a battery operated function which means that when you feed her water from the provided small bottle, she will immediately start crying, kick her legs and do a wee. All at the same time.

However, we didn’t initially get to experience this as Bubby D was thrilled just to have her own small baby that she could repeatedly put a nappy on, and off, and on, and off, and on…

…and then I recalled that many months ago, having received some pocket money from a relative, the Wee Man had kindly spent 50p at a car boot sale to get a little folding stroller for Bubby D ‘when she’s big enough’. Rooting it out, I gave it to him to present to Bubby D and she immediately demanded ‘OUTSIDE’.

Which is how I ended up taking the LONGEST short walk of my life. One hour to walk a distance that usually takes five minutes, due to the fact that I had a toddler who has only been walking a few weeks pushing a small stroller on one side of me, and a preschooler who still loves his ‘baby’ too proudly accompanying her with his own miniature stroller on my other side. And even though it was a ridiculously long walk, I didn’t mind because the huge smile on Bubby D’s face as she proudly showed off her baby to all the passers by was worth the snails pace and standing about, regularly getting my ankles bashed.

Small ankle-bitey pushchairs aside, the Nappy Time doll is a perfect size for Bubby D to carry around; and this she has demonstrated to an enormous degree by refusing to be separated from it at all. In fact it took me several days to pry it away from her (she insisted on sleeping with it hugged to her too) so that I could stick some batteries in it and show her the doll in all its glory.

Removing the battery cover was nice and easy and I was thrilled to see it takes AAA’s as we’ve had a huge packet of them sitting around for AGES and nothing ever seems to require them. So Bubby D is in luck – even with everyday doll play we’ll have enough stock to keep her baby’s legs a-wiggling for many months to come.

And then followed amazement.

The bottle provided is obviously quite small, given that the doll is also only little (32cm to be precise) and I ended up just standing by with a jug and a towel, given the increasing number of requests for refills. Both the Wee Man and Bubby D were enthralled by the weeing, leg kicking and crying and also the contented sound achieved once the ‘baby’s’ nappy had been changed (something which was done with great care – Bubby D even ran to get her cheeky wipes and made sure the baby was fully cleaned and content before giving her a new nappy to wear).

The doll comes with two nappies and these provided several sessions of entertainment however eventually they did become very wet (as you’d expect) and given that we haven’t had a chance to get to Mothercare yet and pick up some additional ones, the Wee Man decided it was time for the baby to be potty trained. Dragging his old potty downstairs, he proceeded to instruct Bubby D and the playing commenced again, this time with the baby sitting astride a somewhat oversized potty for her needs. Nevertheless it did the job and Bubby D has actually started trying to use the potty herself now too (an added bonus!).

For the hours of enjoyment already experienced (and I suspect many more to come) I reckon its definitely worth what I initially wondered might be a little too hefty of a price tag at around £25. The cost of keeping on buying additional nappies could get expensive, but I suspect we will end up investing in (or making) some reusable ones, as well as continuing with the potty play.

One thing is for sure – if Bubby D ever does end up become a big sister, she’ll definitely be well prepared!