I grew up playing with Cabbage Patch Dolls. At 42 years old, I decided to visit Babyland General Hospital, the 'birthplace' of the dolls.

Jamishia J.J. SmithAug 5, 2023, 00:24 IST

The author with her friends at Babyland General Hospital.Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

Every Cabbage Patch Doll I received as a kid had a birth certificate that cited its place of birth as Babyland General Hospital.
At 42 years old, I decided to finally visit the hospital in Cleveland, Georgia, along with a few of my friends.

Throughout my childhood in Detroit, Michigan, I received many different Cabbage Patch Dolls, usually on special occasions like Christmas.

Childhood photos of the author's Cabbage Patch Dolls at Christmas.Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

The one thing I never got to do as a kid was officially change my dolls' names or visit the hospital plastered all over the paperwork inside every box.

The author as a child with a Cabbage Patch Doll.Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

Nearly three decades later, at the age of 42, I decided to travel to Cleveland, Georgia, to Babyland General Hospital, the 'birthplace' of all Cabbage Patch Dolls.

The author at Babyland General HospitalCourtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

When I first entered the 'hospital' I was greeted by a 'nurse'. She encouraged us to browse and see different versions of the doll over the years and to learn more about the origin of the brand.

A display at Babyland General HospitalCourtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

When I first entered the 'hospital' I was greeted by a 'nurse'. She encouraged us to browse and see different versions of the doll over the years and to learn more about the origin of the brand.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my trip to Babyland had been postponed a number of times. My friends Jenn and Candice chose to join me on my trip.

The author with her friends at Babyland General HospitalCourtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

Jenn and I decided to 'adopt' babies since I no longer have any of my Cabbage Patch Dolls from my childhood.

The author and her friend adopting Cabbage Patch DollsCourtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

One of the major highlights of my visit was witnessing a 'live birth'. The hospital conducts them a few times a day but luckily for us, we got to witness a personalized one thanks to a fellow Cabbage Patch fan who paid extra to have one catered specifically for her.

A live birth at Babyland General HospitalCourtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

One of the major highlights of my visit was witnessing a 'live birth'. The hospital conducts them a few times a day but luckily for us, we got to witness a personalized one thanks to a fellow Cabbage Patch fan who paid extra to have one catered specifically for her.

I watched like a proud family member as her 'baby girl' was delivered by an LPN (Licensed Patch Nurse). After the delivery, the baby was immediately taken to be cleaned, weighed, and fingerprinted. I was smiling like a proud aunt!

A doll being cleaned at Babyland General HospitalCourtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

I watched like a proud family member as her 'baby girl' was delivered by an LPN (Licensed Patch Nurse). After the delivery, the baby was immediately taken to be cleaned, weighed, and fingerprinted. I was smiling like a proud aunt!

After spending over an hour at the hospital, we decided to adopt our own new babies and pay to change their names.

The author and her friend adopting a Cabbage Patch DollCourtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

My doll's original name was Aubrie Erin, but thanks to two consultation Facetime calls to my mom, Jacqueline, and my 5-year-old niece, Blair, her name was changed to Diamond Alexa.

The author with her Cabbage Patch doll's birth certificateCourtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

My doll's original name was Aubrie Erin, but thanks to two consultation Facetime calls to my mom, Jacqueline, and my 5-year-old niece, Blair, her name was changed to Diamond Alexa.

I also changed my doll's birthday to August 28th in honor of my late brother, Jerrell, who passed away suddenly in May 2020 at the age of 42.

The author's Cabbage Patch DollCourtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

The staff at the hospital made the whole experience seem magical and allowed us to relive our '80s childhood for a few hours.

The author with her friends at Babyland General HospitalCourtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

It was also fun to see how many celebrities from our childhood had personalized, autographed messages displayed on the walls of the hospital.

Autographed photos at Babyland General HospitalCourtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

As I shared photos from my visit on social media, many of my friends reached out with their own memories of Cabbage Patch Dolls. A few even sent photos of their childhood dolls.

Photos of the author's friends with their childhood Cabbage Patch DollsCourtesy of LaToya Green/Jennifer Earley

As I shared photos from my visit on social media, many of my friends reached out with their own memories of Cabbage Patch Dolls. A few even sent photos of their childhood dolls.

Some even sent photos of the original paperwork that came with their dolls.

Childhood photo of the author's friend with their Cabbage Patch doll and paperwork.Courtesy of Shelby Wilder

If you're like many of us kids born during the height of the Cabbage Patch craze in the 1980s, a visit to Babyland General Hospital is a great, nostalgic escape.

A sign exiting Babyland General HospitalCourtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

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I grew up playing with Cabbage Patch Dolls. At 42 years old, I decided to visit Babyland General Hospital, the 'birthplace' of the dolls.

Throughout my childhood in Detroit, Michigan, I received many different Cabbage Patch Dolls, usually on special occasions like Christmas.

The one thing I never got to do as a kid was officially change my dolls' names or visit the hospital plastered all over the paperwork inside every box.

Nearly three decades later, at the age of 42, I decided to travel to Cleveland, Georgia, to Babyland General Hospital, the 'birthplace' of all Cabbage Patch Dolls.

When I first entered the 'hospital' I was greeted by a 'nurse'. She encouraged us to browse and see different versions of the doll over the years and to learn more about the origin of the brand.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, my trip to Babyland had been postponed a number of times. My friends Jenn and Candice chose to join me on my trip.

Jenn and I decided to 'adopt' babies since I no longer have any of my Cabbage Patch Dolls from my childhood.

One of the major highlights of my visit was witnessing a 'live birth'. The hospital conducts them a few times a day but luckily for us, we got to witness a personalized one thanks to a fellow Cabbage Patch fan who paid extra to have one catered specifically for her.

I watched like a proud family member as her 'baby girl' was delivered by an LPN (Licensed Patch Nurse). After the delivery, the baby was immediately taken to be cleaned, weighed, and fingerprinted. I was smiling like a proud aunt!

After spending over an hour at the hospital, we decided to adopt our own new babies and pay to change their names.

My doll's original name was Aubrie Erin, but thanks to two consultation Facetime calls to my mom, Jacqueline, and my 5-year-old niece, Blair, her name was changed to Diamond Alexa.

I also changed my doll's birthday to August 28th in honor of my late brother, Jerrell, who passed away suddenly in May 2020 at the age of 42.

The staff at the hospital made the whole experience seem magical and allowed us to relive our '80s childhood for a few hours.

It was also fun to see how many celebrities from our childhood had personalized, autographed messages displayed on the walls of the hospital.

As I shared photos from my visit on social media, many of my friends reached out with their own memories of Cabbage Patch Dolls. A few even sent photos of their childhood dolls.

Some even sent photos of the original paperwork that came with their dolls.

If you're like many of us kids born during the height of the Cabbage Patch craze in the 1980s, a visit to Babyland General Hospital is a great, nostalgic escape.