Where Do I Find a NICE Baby Doll...

Madame Alexander has some dolls that are less expensive and they look nice and normal. Melissa and Doug make a nice looking baby doll too. Crazy how so many of the affordable baby dolls now a days look so weird!!!

I have no idea on prices, but American Girl Bitty Baby dolls are beautiful. My daughter also has a Corelle doll that is very nice. Madame Alexander has a range of prices for their dolls, but they also make a cheaper line which is not as nice.

I like Corell dolls. They've held up really well in our house and are a little expensive but not bank breakers.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_sc_0_10?url=search-a...

Corolle makes nice dolls, but they're the same size as Bitty Baby (much nicer, too, in my opinion). We found that was the best size for our little girls so they could hold and carry them. They range in price from $20 - $80 and you can get them at Amazon. The more expensive ones are nicer, but even the cheaper ones are decent quality.

My mother in law used to get our girls Madame Alexander dolls. I am not sure of the price. The dolls were exactly like you described. They look and feel so real. They even came in a sleeper and little hat, like you would leave the hospital.

I bought a doll for my daughter from this website last year. I've been pleased with it, although they don't have the same doll I got, anymore: http://www.dollsbysandie.com/index.php?l=product_list&amp...

Consider Bitty Baby or My Twinn babies. My SD had a Bitty Baby and my aunt got the My Twinn for my DD. I like the Twinn a little better, but both have held up to play.

For clothing, you might consider http://www.dollclothessuperstore.com/mam.html - her clothes are quality and her customer service is really good.

My daughter has an American Girl Doll, and they also make Baby Doll's. They are $50 for the doll, diaper, clothes, teddy bear and a book. Really well made and they have a "Doll Hospital" for accidents... like markers on the face :-) My daughter loves her American Girl Doll! They are online at americangirl.com and arrive quickly after you order.

Go on the European sites. They have the best dolls. I have bought fantastic ones in toy stores there. Carl Franz Weber has baby dolls (babypuppen) from 35 SwFr. That's around 37 dollars.
It's only in German and French far as I can tell. I speak and read German fluently. But even high school French can get you through the site.
My daughters loved their Sasha dolls which they have until this day. They let their children & friends play with them.
I don't know what a Sasha doll costs these day but they are a collectable which you friend's daughter will appreciate since she will age out of the doll stage very soon.

Internet! You would be surprised at what really cool gems you can find.

What about a handmade doll? You can find plenty on Etsy. I make cloth dolls and they are really cute, and very simple. They aren't 'baby' dolls, but they do appeal to the younger crowd. These are the most popular...
http://www.etsy.com/listing/69799999/custom-cloth-baby-gi...

We like Correll dolls, too. I did have to find a replacement on the net, because the arm of my dd's just broke at the shoulder. It didn't come out of the socket, it actually kinda tore. Which is strange for the rubberized/plastic material. She was 3 and had a tendency to carry her by the arm.

I only paid 14 for the replacement and I think 20 for the first one.

Be careful of all the baby dolls with tons of noises, actions, etc. I can't believe they make baby dolls that drink and pee. What next?

Correll dolls are good. There is a local store called SnapDoodle Toys in Bothell (off Lake City way-I saw you were from Seattle) and I bet they have them. Give them a call. They are not bank breakers and they are good quality.

http://www.snapdoodletoys.com/

Any smaller/locally run toys stores will probably have these dolls.