Spinmaster's Luvabella Newborn Doll Review

So guys in preparation for that jolly time of year fast approaching, here at Lamb and Bear we have been scouring the shelves for the next big toys we believe are must have for all little ones.

If you haven’t even begun thinking about the c word, (christmas ahhh), then please keep checking back for toy updates and honest reviews to help you make this festive time a little bit less stressful. Or if you’re one of these organised rents that is wrapped up, Turkey ready, please also let us know if any of the toys we will be speaking about are going to be sat under your tree. Or maybe we’ve twisted your arm to splurge again with some great items we have lined up.

So let’s get to it.

This spot belongs to Luvabella Newborn. You may recognise this name, as its sister doll was a sell out toy last christmas. This doll is to follow suit with its truly remarkable lifelike features which elevates the whole experience for kiddos. The doll itself boasts expressive facial movements and reactions, letting you know when they are hungry, fussy and happy, just like having a real baby in the house again!

It comes with a soother dummy and bottle letting your little ones experience the joys of parenthood. Okay maybe not those beloved three am feeds, but as close to without the sleep deprivation. Little Luvabella suckles, and makes gurgling, burping and fussy noises till she’s full. You can cuddle little one and place the dummy in her mouth to sooth to sleep.

Okay now here’s where I’m really impressed, when you lay little Luvabella down (Arabella wasn’t keen on the name, so she’s Annie in this household), her tummy rises and falls, like a real breathing baby. Such a distinct feature that I haven’t seen on the market yet, you can even place your ear against her chest to hear a heart beat!

Luvabella is designed with a soft body, not too big for children to lug around from place to place, conventionally the right size for most play pushchairs and carriers. She has this soft moulded plastic face that help make such realistic expressions. Even the hubby was impressed with how realistic this doll is, which is a first.

Now with any dolly I truly find it adorable how kids fully immerse themselves in parenting roles, they show through their play how you’ve taught and raised them. Reminding each other to be gentle, to care, to be soft spoken and love unconditionally. And this doll one ups this whole experience by being so interactive, that it helps recognise new traits for little ones to pick up on.

And if they do struggle with new parenthood, then there is a online guide for caring for Luvabella, if only it was that simple for us adults. You can also download babies birth certificate and YouTube is filled with so many tutorials to help care for your newborn.

My only gripe with this toy is the need for four Double A battery, which wouldn’t deter me entirely but would make me think twice about how often little Luvabella is switched on- we obviously can’t say how long the battery life is at this point but I’m hoping it’s not one of these toys that need them changing constantly.

I would also like an outfit line for Luvabella dolls to be introduced, one of my kids favourite things to do is to change and dress up babies, showing off how cute they look. So with such a lifelike doll, a dozen newborn outfits changes seems about right.

The doll currently retails at £60, which may be pricey for some, but as it’s such a realistic, well built item it will last and bring so many hours of play for all.