Adult baby/diaper lover

Adult Baby/Diaper Lover, commonly abbreviated as ABDL, describes a subculture and set of practices in which adults engage in behaviors associated with infancy or early childhood. The community encompasses two distinct but overlapping groups. Adult babies (ABs) engage in comprehensive infantile role-play that may include wearing diapers, using pacifiers, drinking from bottles, sleeping in cribs, babbling, and being cared for by a partner who assumes a parental or caregiver role. Diaper lovers (DLs) have a specific interest in wearing diapers, which may or may not be connected to broader infantile behavior.

The motivations for ABDL participation are diverse and highly individual. For some, the practices are sexually arousing, with the tactile sensations of diapers, the power dynamic of caregiver and baby, or the transgressive nature of the behavior serving as sources of erotic stimulation. For others, the primary motivation is emotional comfort and stress relief, as the regression to an infantile state provides a sense of safety, freedom from adult responsibility, and access to feelings of being nurtured and cared for. Many participants report that ABDL activities provide profound relaxation and emotional release. Some individuals combine sexual and comfort motivations, while others maintain a clear distinction between the two.

The ABDL dynamic frequently intersects with BDSM power exchange structures. The caregiver role parallels the dominant position, providing structure, rules, and nurturing control, while the adult baby role parallels the submissive position, involving surrender of autonomy and acceptance of dependency. This dynamic shares features with DDlg (Daddy Dom/little girl), MDlb (Mommy Domme/little boy), and other caregiver-based relationship structures. A well-established commercial market serves the ABDL community, including manufacturers of adult-sized diapers designed for comfort rather than medical need, adult baby clothing, nursery furniture, and related accessories.

The terminology Adult Baby/Diaper Lover emerged from within the community itself as practitioners developed language to describe their experiences and interests. The abbreviation ABDL became widely adopted through online communities during the 1990s and 2000s. The distinction between the AB and DL components reflects the community's recognition that participants' interests and motivations vary significantly.

Historical precedents for ABDL-like behavior have been documented in clinical literature dating back to the late nineteenth century. Richard von Krafft-Ebing's "Psychopathia Sexualis" (1886) included references to adults who desired to be treated as infants. The term "paraphilic infantilism" was later applied in clinical contexts, while "autonepiophilia" (coined by John Money) described the specific sexual interest in being an infant.

The modern ABDL community developed substantially with the internet, which enabled individuals with this relatively uncommon interest to locate one another. Pre-internet, the community existed through classified advertisements in niche publications and small mail-order businesses. Online forums, social media groups, and dedicated websites created spaces for community building, education, and normalization. The community has grown to include conventions, meetups, content creators, and commercial enterprises catering specifically to ABDL interests.