Luvabella Interactive Doll Review

I first saw Luvabella – an interactive doll with a difference, on ITV’s This Morning and it was immediately obvious that it was going to be a real hit and it is already set to be a top toy this Christmas.

We have been lucky enough to be one of the first to welcome Luvabella into our home and to say Eliza is in love, is an understatement.

Her body looks and feels much like a regular doll, with a volume switch, a language switch and speaker holes on her back, but its her face where you really see the difference as it is made from a rubber material which allows her to make her facial expressions.

When you get Luvabella out of her packaging the first thing you need to do is insert 4 “C” batteries into her bottom.

This obviously makes her heavier than other dolls and has been a question I have been asked on several occasions. In fact, with the batteries inserted she weights 3lbs 4oz so she is probably not suitable for younger children.

Eliza has named her Luvabella Doll, Iris and was instantly drawn in by her incredibly lifelike looks and responses. Iris responds affectionately to love and play, changing her facial expressions just like a real baby.

Luvabella comes with four fun and interactive accessories :

1. A spoon to feed her – she will chew with delight as if she is really eating! If she’s not full, she may ask you for more or turn her head away and say no if she has had enough.
2. A bottle to give her milk. She really appears to glug milk from it and often falls asleep if taking a bottle.
3. Lamby Toy which helps Luvabella learn new animal names and sounds. She actually says “Lamb-Lamb”
4. A Dummy – If she gets fussy, all she needs is her dummy.

Eliza took on the role of caring mother straight away, exclaiming “I am a real Mummy now!”

Luvabella has true-to-life facial expressions and her very own cheeky personality! She moves, talks and plays just like a real baby and responds to Eliza through touch and play. Cover her eyes for a game of peek-a-boo, tickle her tummy and toes to make her giggle, or place a hand on her chest to gently listen to her heartbeat. You can even hold her feet to hear her say “mama” and begin to babble!

Like many interactive toys, the more you play with her, the more she’ll talk, so watching her develop is fascinating. Her babble will transform into over 100 clear words and phrases!

So far Iris has come with us to the shops, to school and even to Beavers and everyone always stops and does a double-take, especially if she is babbling away in the pushchair.

We have been playing with Luvabella for 3 weeks now and her batteries are showing no sign of running out yet. We do, however, make sure she is switched off when the kids are at school. When her batteries get very low she will state “Very very sleepy” giving you some warning that they need replacing.

We have found that her face does attract dust and dirt due to its texture, but it cleans off easily with a baby wipe.

Luvabella comes with four different looks so you can match her to your child: Blonde, Brunette, Dark Brown Hair and even has a male version, Luvabeau. They retail at £99 and are available to order at Smyths Toys or you can sign up for stock alerts with The Entertainer and are in stock at some Toys R Us shops.

At £99 Luvabella is an expensive toy, however, she is the perfect gift for any doll loving girl or boy this Christmas and unlike a real baby, can be switched off if necessary.

If you are looking for baby clothes to fit Luvabella, please check out the Dolls Clothes Facebook page for some fab ideas.