Perhaps one of the most popular toys in the 1980s is the Baby Alive doll. It was introduced by Kenner in 1973 and reintroduced by Hasbro in 2006. The doll, as the name suggests, is "alive" for it can eat, drink and wet itself.
The baby doll was so lifelike, with a mechanical mouth that could be spoon-fed packets of food mixed with water. The doll would chew it, and it will eventually end up in the doll's diaper.
While the idea seems a bit gross, children seem to enjoy the abilities that a Baby Alive doll has. The little toy was in-demand in the 1980s; Kenner sold one million units of the toy annually on average.
In this article, let us try to explore five facts that you probably didn't know about the Baby Alive doll.
1. Baby Alive was Meant to Repulse
Baby Alive dolls have a mechanical mouth that can chew. The doll has a special kind of food that comes in packets. You have to dissolve it in water before you can feed it to the "baby." Afterward, the "food" would end up in the doll's diaper.
You may sound disgusted by it, but the company actually incorporated that "eww factor," according to Mental Floss. Kenner was hoping that the kids would be repulsed by the toy. Unfortunately or fortunately, the result was quite the opposite, as kids seemed to enjoy the Baby Alive mechanism.
2. The First Baby Alive Doll Was Introduced in 1973
Kenner introduced the first Baby Alive doll in 1973. It could be fed with food packets mixed with water. The doll comes with a bottle, diapers, and a feeding spoon. You would have to insert the spoon into the doll's mouth and a lever on its back pushed to have it chew the food.
The food would move through the doll. Eventually, it would end up in her diaper as plastic waste. Intentionally designed to simulate the challenges of infant care, the doll was a hit toy among girls in the 1980s.
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3. The Baby Alive Doll Sold up to 1 Million Units Each Year
In the early 1980s, Baby Alive achieved its peak popularity. It sold up to 1 million dolls each year. Unlike other dolls that only come with strollers or other accessories, the Baby Alive doll comes with a bottle, diaper, and feeding spoon instead. There are also food packets and diapers.
As the doll was made to simulate actual infant care, you have to feed the "baby" with food from the packets mixed with water. You also have to change its diaper after the food goes down and wets the diaper.
4. Hasbro Has a Baby Alive Animated Series on YouTube
Hasbro launched a Baby Alive Animated Series on YouTube, as per Mojo Nation. It's a 20-episode series that centered around Charlie. She's a seven-year-old girl who's taking care of her Baby Alive dolls. There are two new Baby Alive dolls in the show. One is Baby Alive Lulu Achoo. She's a doll that's known for her ability to sneeze and cover her nose.
5. The Dolls Began Speaking on their Own in 1992
In 1992, the doll gained the ability to speak on its own. With that, it can now notify when it wets its diaper. Speaking of diapers, Kenner particularly marketed the continued need for the doll's food packets and diapers.
