8-inch Caring For Baby Doll Review

We’ve put together the ultimate resource guide for the 8-inch American Girl® baby doll. This doll was released as part of the Truly Me line, in an accessory set called Caring for Baby™ Set. Since its release, this mini baby doll has won the hearts of many American Girl® fans and has recently been rebranded Little Bitty Baby. We’ll be giving you an overview of the doll’s features, a comparison to other similar dolls, as well as some project ideas.

 

About the American Girl® Caring for Baby Set 

[Image and description from the American Girl website] Along with the 8-inch baby doll, the Caring for Baby Set comes with a lot of fun accessories. The baby comes dressed in a top, footed pants, and a bow headband. For mealtime, the set includes a high chair, bib, bowl with food, spoon, and a bottle. For changing time, you’ll find two diapers, a wipe case, and a changing mat. There is currently just one version of the set available, which includes a light skinned baby with dark brown hair and brown eyes. The set was released in spring 2021, and as of September 2021 is still available at American Girl®. In 2024, they released a new collection of Little Bitty Baby items and dolls. 

American Girl® 8-inch Baby Doll Features 

  • Vinyl head and body 
  • Rotating arms, legs, and head 
  • Painted face, eyes, and hair 
  • Similar face and limb molds to the 15-inch American Girl® Bitty Baby® Dolls

 

American Girl® 8-inch Baby Doll Compared to Other Dolls 

Perfectly Cute 8" My Lil' Baby Doll (sold at Target) 

My Sweet Love Mini Soft Baby Doll (sold at Walmart) 

Madame Alexander Little Cuties Baby Doll (Sold at Amazon)

There are a few similarly sized baby dolls currently available on the market. The biggest differences between the American Girl® 8-inch baby and these alternatives are the facial features and the body material. The American Girl® 8-inch baby is the only one with a poseable vinyl body. This is also a unique feature compared to other mini baby dolls that American Girl® has previously produced, such as Baby Polly (part of Felicity’s collection) and the Baby and Stroller Set available from 2005-2007, which both had cloth bodies. While the vinyl body makes the doll less cuddly, it allows for lots of adorable posing alongside 18-inch dolls! 

Post update (Thanks Teena!) Target sells an all-vinyl version of the 8" baby in a boxed set with a tub and hooded bath towel for $15, in addition to the cloth-body versions that are $4. Perfectly Cute 8" Baby Doll 

Another doll worth comparing to the American Girl® 8-inch baby is the Disney nuiMOs©. While these plush character dolls are not comparable to the baby dolls themselves, it turns out that the collection of nuiMOs© outfits can fit the American Girl® 8-inch baby fairly well. 

 

The Ultimate Pattern Collection for American Girl® 8-inch Baby Doll 

The Pixie Faire Pattern Collection is always growing, and new patterns for the American Girl® 8-inch Baby Doll are currently in the works!

Since the 8-inch baby is around half the height of the 15-inch Bitty Baby®, we have a trick for converting accessory patterns that are designed for the 15-inch Bitty Baby® into a nice size for the 8-inch baby! When printing the pattern, simply select 50% scaling. For instance, the My Baby Sitter 15" Baby Doll Accessory pattern scaled down to 50% for printing works great for the 8-inch baby! Just remember to rescale the 1/4" seam allowance to the appropriate width after printing the pattern at 50% since it will be scaled down to a narrower width.

 

Another accessory pattern to try for your 8-inch baby is the My Sunshine Dolls Baby Carrier Pattern. The infant carrier in this pattern also fits the 8-inch baby doll, and can be worn by an 18-inch doll! 

For clothing patterns, the 50% scaling trick doesn’t produce the perfect fit, so keep an eye out for more patterns designed for the 8-inch baby coming soon.

We tested the 123 Mulberry St Basic Playsuit scaled at 50%, and compared it to a redesigned version adapted to fit the 8-inch baby more precisely. The Basic Playsuit pattern designed specifically for the 8-inch baby has a much better fit!

We have a growing collection of patterns designed specifically for the 8-inch baby doll. Be sure to take a peek at the full collection of Patterns Designed to fit the 8-inch Baby Doll today!




 

We’d love to hear from you.  Please leave a comment and tell us: What is baby accessory or clothing item should we make a pattern for?

 (This post and giveaway are not endorsed or affiliated with Mattel® or American Girl®, no endorsement implied.) 


17 Comments

Anne Marie
Anne Marie

September 21, 2021

Love this doll – would love to see nightgown and quilt pattern for this doll.

Sheila chelednik
Sheila chelednik

September 21, 2021

I would love to see Halloween costumes for this cute baby.

Jeanne
Jeanne

September 21, 2021

I would definitely like to see more clothing patterns. Thank you.

Marcy Mahle
Marcy Mahle

September 21, 2021

This is a very very cute little doll. I have Felicity’s little sister in her cradle and the more modern little one in the stroller. Both are very cute. this one is wonderful. Would be fun for American Girl to sell some more furniture for her like a crib and changing table. Yes looking forward to seeing more patterns for the doll. Maybe a Christening outfit.

Debbie
Debbie

September 21, 2021

Diaper Bag and Diapers would be great to go with sleepers.

Karen
Karen

September 21, 2021

I would love to see a blanket and P Js for the doll that matches the 18 inch doll.

Mary
Mary

September 21, 2021

I would like to see a warm winter outfit for the baby!

Inma
Inma

September 21, 2021

Diapers, burp clothes, swaddling blanket. Such an adorable doll!

Diane Sugimoto
Diane Sugimoto

September 21, 2021

I would love to see a pattern for a diaper bag and some accessories

Denise
Denise

September 21, 2021

Love that she can hold the bottle!

Barbara Litton
Barbara Litton

September 21, 2021

I love this Baby Doll it would be a perfect gift for a little girl I know with a new baby brother, my favourite accessory is the Sling , just like Mum.

Jo
Jo

September 21, 2021

A good accessory would be toys the right size. As far as a pattern, a diaper bag would be nice to store the things that with the set.

Ma
Ma

September 21, 2021

I’d love to see a pattern for that boppy. It was always a favorite things to have with the kids.

Allison T
Allison T

September 21, 2021

I would like to see some basic patterns like t shirt, jeans, and sundress patterns!! I am so excited about this giveaway!! 😄

Gwen
Gwen

September 21, 2021

I really love this doll. The whole set is cute, but the highchair is adorable.

Victoria Masteller
Victoria Masteller

September 21, 2021

Love this Baby, so much fun! I like her bottle, a necessity for play

kathy m
kathy m

September 21, 2021

my favorite baby accessory is high chair

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