I started doll therapy with my mum a few months ago when she was becoming very unsettled again in the care home.
I quietly took the doll from my bag and started to cuddle it and talk to it. Mum asked whose baby was it and I said my daughters but she needed to work and had nobody to look after it, I said 'Do you fancy helping look after him mum?' Well instantly she wanted to give him a cuddle and started talking baby talk to him (she believes he is a real baby).
I don't know how we would cope with mum now without it. It is her baby, she tries to feed it, give it drinks (unfortunately the dolls clothes are always messed up with coffee and custard
and we go through wet wipes for cleaning him by the dozen!.
I got an all vinyl doll without real hair so it can easily be wiped and doesn't matter if it gets wet (the soft bodied ones could become smelly and grubby with drinks and food!)
I knit jumpers and leggings which can easily be washed through or you can get clothes from charity shops or e bay.
Mum would not get into her bed at night (she thought someone/thing was in it) but now baby lies there beside her so it solved that problem too.
This week mum has had to go into a new NH and is very very distressed but the doll is still there being cuddled amongst her tears and angry episodes with everyone in sight (except baby of course
,
I do hope the doll therapy will help with your mum. I think the key is how you introduce the baby to her in a casual way and try involve her in the baby conversation.
Don't spend a lot of money on an expensive doll, the one we have is about 12/13 inches tall and originally I bought it for my grandaughter for about £5.
Good luck and will be thinking of you, please let us know how you get on with it.
Sunbell
xx