I ran into an interesting contradiction with the arrival of most of Keisha.
On the paper with the shipment I read that it’s best to let the doll lie down to avoid ‘compression’. The supplier of Isabella and Hilda told me that it’s best to let dolls stand to prevent flattening of certain parts, like butts.
Anyone here have insights and/or best practices?
all of my ladies stand ìn shoes and bras, to keep everything wear ìt supposed to be
Too long in a same position is not good for dolls. The problem about the butts is most for gel butts Hanging them is the best way to keep them stored That’s one of the reasons they make the special hooks for
by definition look at it pure in a material way. Not a doll / person way. This is a static object of TPE or Silicone inert material + “gravity is a bitch”.
Too long in one position is not good:
laying her down has pro’s & con’s, but laying down too long will give compression on the scapula, back and buttocks.
hanging her from a hook has also pro’s & con’s, but hanging for too long on a hook will have gravity do its work on the more heavier doll parts, read: sagging.
So I guess, if for long storage = rotation between the two is key !
I can agree with that. I just look how manufacturers store dolls and they are most hanging, but as been said too long of that would indeed lead to sagging.
Thank you all for your input. Rotation seems to be the way to go, and that’s exactly what is going to happen.
I love this community. You folks understand this.
Hello @quillurion
We enjoy having our girls around us as part of every day life.
They are in every room and never get stored away or hidden. Anyone who comes into our home will see dolls.
They may be leaning against a wall with a large sponge behind their back or they could be on a stand. And even if they wear nothing at all, they always wear shoes to protect and support their feet.
Every girl here stands 24/7.
This has never presented a problem or caused damage.
That does not mean we are not aware of their surroundings or allow them to be static for too long. Changing positions is a good idea.
We all share concerns when it comes to keeping our dolls safe. So naturally, there will be questions about the best way to protect them. Everyone decides what works best for them.
Thanks for starting this topic!
Cheers
I’m glad it sparked some interest. When you say ‘not static for too long’, would you have an indication in days, weeks? My witch Hilda basically doesn’t move anywhere so I may have to change that.
And I’m glad to read that you agree with the supplier of my DutchDolls, who also said that standing is very good.
(That sponge is a great idea! 
)
I think the best is a week laying down a week hanging up
I don’t know that there is a measure of time that is significant. Probably changing their clothes is a good example. When you are ready for that, the movement will be part of that change. Sometimes simply moving the arms, tilting the head or shifting weight is enough.
I would worry more about sitting or laying down positions.
This is a great thread!
I store my doll laying down most of the time, I do not have a gel butt in my doll, she’s typically laying on a bed or on a pillow so that she does have something soft and smooth underneath of her. I try to position her so that she’s in the same position she was in when she was in the factory mold, something I learned from Abbys Creations when I had Kristal Nova many years ago. I like the idea of having my doll standing up with proper fitting shoes, and that’s something I’m gonna be looking into. Large breasted dolls definitely need a support bra, wire free if you can. And if you have to store your doll for any length of time in a position where her silicone skin gets pinched, like the groin, or the armpits, put on a little extra powder there and hand rub it in to her skin a bit, that way the powder can absorb any oils that might leech out and prevent any short term damage that might arise, and the powder residue can be cleaned away after storage. I wouldn’t leave pinched skin more than a week, though, otherwise you may or may not have problems and would likely have to have her in a position where there’s no stress on the silicone for some time so that the material can reset if it’s not damaged from being pinched overtime. Just my two cents from my experience with Kristal and now, Elara. 
Thanks for your input, Nick!
Given the unique collection of dolls I have, there is no one answer.
I have a 70cm Climax Doll Zarga who, given her size, sits on her throne for the majority of the time, but given regular breaks for photos and other activities. She has gel buttocks and I have had no issues so far.
My series of 100cm Piper S.A.F. dolls sit in various chairs and loveseats around the dollhouse, and given their smaller frames and light weight, they sit for prolonged periods without incident.
The larger girls require more care.
My 140cm TPE Piper Ariel (April-May) no longer stands well, so she sits upright in bed or in the living room. She wears a custom bra to stop any TPE sagging.
My other 150cm dolls stand for the majority of the time. They also have custom bras to prevent sagging. They stand, propped up against a large sponge against most available wall space. They do get hung for about a week ever 2 months for minor cleaning and a wardrobe change. Rotated through based on my desires.
My newest, the ElsaBabe 130cm stands as well, but does have more time hanging as she is in high rotation currently (photos and other activities). She DEFINITELY needed a bra to hold her ample breasts. She wears that almost constantly (with noted breaks to prevent any indentation from straps).
Hope this helps!
