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

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

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

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

I had the original yarn-hair doll, the one with the 'cornsilk' hair that you could comb, the 'crimp & curl', the one that could 'drink milk', and, of course, all of the accessories including a big wheel, baby swing, and pampers.

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 one thing I never got to do as a kid was officially change my dolls
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.

Nearly three decades later, at the age of 42, I decided to travel to Cleveland, Georgia, to Babyland General Hospital, the
The author at Babyland General Hospital      Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

Every doll is accompanied with a birth certificate that cites its place of birth as Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia. Due to my Midwestern roots, for years, I assumed the hospital was located in Ohio.

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.

When I first entered the
A display at Babyland General Hospital      Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

The soft-sculpted dolls were first created by 21-year old art student Xavier Roberts in the late 1970s. Instead of a price tag, he asked for an 'adoption fee'.

Roberts' Cabbage Patch Toys Kids went on to break records as the most successful new doll introduction in history, selling almost 3 million dolls by the end of 1983, the first year they were commercially launched.

Roberts' name is scribbled on the backside of every doll. As a child, I always thought of him as the dolls' "father."

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.

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 Hospital      Courtesy 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.

Jenn and I decided to
The author and her friend adopting Cabbage Patch Dolls      Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

Jenn was adamant about adopting a baby whose 'hue' was similar to hers. She asked the nurse if they had any dolls that had a darker skin complexion in stock and although the nurse tried her best, she was unable to find any.

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.

One of the major highlights of my visit was witnessing a
A live birth at Babyland General Hospital      Courtesy 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!

I watched like a proud family member as her
A doll being cleaned at Babyland General Hospital      Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

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

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 Doll      Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

As a kid, I never got the chance to mail my money order and adoption card back to officially change my Cabbage Patch Dolls' names. After making the trip to the hospital, I thought, why not spend an extra $3 on it!

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.

My doll
The author with her Cabbage Patch doll's birth certificate      Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

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.

I also changed my doll
The author's Cabbage Patch Doll      Courtesy 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 staff at the hospital made the whole experience seem magical and allowed us to relive our
The author with her friends at Babyland General Hospital      Courtesy 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.

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 Hospital      Courtesy 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.

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 Dolls      Courtesy of LaToya Green/Jennifer Earley

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

If you
A sign exiting Babyland General Hospital      Courtesy of Jamishia J.J. Smith

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