subject: A tip from the Baby Doll Boutique: How to make a fake formula bottle: for use with reborn baby dolls [print this page] Here's my way of making fake formula/milk bottles
supplies needed; clear plastic baby bottle, bottle nipple with ring and disk, something to stir with, hot water, carpenters glue (yellow), strong glue, like super glue for sealing, silicone (aquarium type is fine) for sealing hole in nipple if so desired, tooth pick NOTE: I usually mix my fake formula in the bottle itself, so have the chosen bottle prepared, and choose your method of sealing (either just the nipple hole is sealed ((sealant inside nipple top))or the sealing disk will be glued to the top of the bottle then the nipple and ring is placed on). I like to use any carpenter's glue, the slight yellow glue makes a great formula color. I pour glue into the bottle, up to the one ounce line for a 2 oz bottle, 2 ounce line for a 4 ounce bottle etc. I then add hot water up to the 4,6,8 ounce mark. (leave room for proper shaking for remixing any separated substances and for making those 'gassy' bubbles in the 'fake' formula.) Then mix the 'fake' formula a bit with the end of a spoon, Popsicle stick, paint brush handle etc.(for 'breast milk just add extra water for a thinner consistency)
To 'seal' the fake bottle: Be sure the top edge of the bottle is dry, apply a thin line of glue to the very edge of the bottle opening. Set on the little sealing disk, aligning to cover the entire opening. Quickly screwing on the ring and nipple helps with alignment. Screw on tightly let dry for an hour, and shake! If you choose not to be able to remove the nipple and ring, then also apply the glue to the thread of the nipple ring and threads on the bottle itself, thin lines of glue should do. Screw on the nipple and ring tightly
Sealing the hole in the nipple: to allow fake milk to fill the nipple (I don't care for this method as there is always the potential for the silicone plug to dislodge, thus allowing leaking, but some reborn doll collectors like the realism!) Using the silicone, aquarium type seams to be the favorite, apply to the end of a toothpick and carefully put it inside the nipple to cover the hole area, I would allow this to dry for at least a day, then follow the above methods, minus gluing the sealing disk to the top of the bottle. I would glue, again super glue works great here, the nipple and the ring to the bottle, apply the glue to the threads and screw on tightly, allow to dry before shaking.
Another note: I have only thrown out this type of fake formula one time in six years...all the others are still like new!Be aware that if you choose anything organic or like paint, vanilla flavoring to color formula...it may get moldy!
Other recipes for 'fake' formula and juices (Remember that 'real' food products will get moldy after a period of time)
Formula: white colored fabric softener mixed with water, a few drops of vanilla flavoring added to any white mixture, white glue with a bit of yellow paint, few teaspoons of flour to water white acrylic paint to paint the inside of a clear bottle, gives the illusion of formula no liquid need, putting white poly fill (stuffing for bears and dolls),inside a clear bottle (the least realistic though) great for young children's play doll bottles!
Apple juice:brown marker dipped in water until the desired color, a drop each of red and orange food coloring added to about 6-8 ounces of water,
Orange juice:one to a few drops each of yellow and red of food coloring to 6-8 oz of water, one to a few drops of red and yellow acrylic paint added to water
If your reborn doll does not have an open mouth, you can still use a 'fake' formula bottle! Some people do not use a nipple at all. They glue the disk and nipple less ring to the bottle, and just place the bottle to the lips of the doll, some add a magnet to the disk before sealing and a magnet inside the doll behind the lips, drawing the bottle to the doll's mouth. Using an empty, white, or any colored bottle for this is great for a reborn that may look like it's drinking by itself (the light weight helps)I use a 'fake' formula bottle with a nipple, sealed tightly and I push on the top of the nipple, inverting it in on itself...thus making it barely visible! Then I put the bottle to the doll's mouth, pushing just a bit, and wallah, looks like the baby doll is drinking from the bottle!
Want to make a magnetic pacifier for your reborn doll? See myarticle with instructions for these pacifiers!
A tip from the Baby Doll Boutique: How to make a fake formula bottle: for use with reborn baby dolls
