Welcome! If you just discovered the term “AB/DL,” typed “adult baby” into Google and ended up here, or you’ve been hiding a secret stash of diapers for years but never knew there was a name for it—this guide is for you. By the end of this 15-minute read, you’ll understand exactly what AB/DL is (and isn’t), why millions of otherwise ordinary adults love it, and how to explore it safely, privately, and happily in 2025.
What Does AB/DL Actually Mean?
AB/DL stands for Adult Baby / Diaper Lover. It’s an umbrella term for two overlapping interests:
- Adult Baby (AB): Enjoying age regression—mentally slipping into a childlike or baby state. This can include pacifiers, bottles, onesies, cuddling stuffed animals, coloring, and being cared for.
- Diaper Lover (DL): Primarily enjoying the act of wearing, using, or simply feeling diapers. Some DLs have zero interest in regression; they just love the sensation, security, or taboo.
Related & Overlapping Identities You’ll See a Lot
- Babyfur: A member of the furry fandom whose fursona is a cub, toddler, or baby version of an anthropomorphic animal. Babyfurs combine age regression and diaper play with furry aesthetics —think adorable anthro foxes, wolves, or dragons in footed pajamas, thick diapers, and onesies. Many (but not all) babyfurs are also into AB/DL; many AB/DLs are also babyfurs. The communities overlap heavily on sites like FurAffinity, Bluesky, and Telegram.
- Diaperfur: A furry who specifically loves diapers on their fursona (or themselves). A diaperfur character will almost always be depicted with a visibly padded, crinkly diaper — sometimes used, sometimes just worn for cuteness or kink. Diaperfurs can be adult-aged characters who just happen to wear diapers, or they can be babyfur/cub characters. The term is more about the diaper focus than the age-regressed mindset.
Quick way to remember:
- Babyfur = furry + age regression vibe
- Diaperfur = furry + diapers (regression optional)
You’ll often see the combined hashtag #babyfur and #diaperfur used together because so many people enjoy both.
Most people in the community are a blend of both (sometimes called “AB/DL”), but it’s 100% okay to be only AB, only DL, or anywhere in between.
Important: AB/DL is a consensual adult kink/fetish/lifestyle. It has nothing to do with real children. Every reputable AB/DL community strictly bans and reports anything involving minors.
Why Do Adults Like This? (The Psychology in Plain English)
Common reasons people are drawn to AB/DL:
- Stress relief & escape: Modern life is exhausting. Regression is a socially acceptable way to “turn your brain off.”
- Comfort & security: Diapers, soft clothes, and nurturing feel physically soothing.
- Overcoming potty-training shame: Some people re-experience early childhood in a safe, controlled way.
- Trauma healing: Age regression is used in therapy (look up “age regression therapy”); for some, AB/DL is a DIY version.
- It just feels good: For many it’s purely sensual or aesthetic — no deep reason required.
Science bit: The DSM-5 classifies “Adult Baby Syndrome” only as a disorder if it causes you severe distress or harm. Enjoying diapers in your private life does not qualify.
Is AB/DL More Common Than You Think?
Yes! Way more.
- Google Trends shows searches for “adult diapers” (non-medical) have risen 400% since 2015.
- Major diaper companies (Rearz, ABU, Tykables, LittleForBig) ship hundreds of thousands of printed adult diapers every year.
- Private FetLife AB/DL group has over 220,000 members (2025).
- Reddit’s r/ABDL has 340,000+ members and is one of the fastest-growing NSFW communities.
You are not broken. You are not alone.
How to Explore AB/DL for the First Time in 2025
Step 1: Buy Your First Diapers (Without Panic)
Best beginner-friendly brands right now:
- PretendAgain TryAgains (super cute prints, overnight absorbency)
- ABU Simple Ultra / PeekABU (soft, thick, reliable)
- Tykables Overnights (loudest crinkle, great if you love sound)
- NRU Str8up (discreet medical look if you’re nervous)
Where to order discreetly: All of the above ship in plain brown boxes with no mention of diapers on the label. Use privacy-friendly payment (PayPal, crypto, prepaid Visa).
Step 2: Create a Safe “Little Space”
You don’t need a full nursery day one. Start with:
- A pacifier (Rearz, LittleForBig, or adult-sized NUK 5)
- A cute onesie or footed pajamas
- A stuffie (build-a-bear works perfectly)
- Baby lotion & powder for the full sensory experience
Step 3: Try Regression (Optional but Magical)
Put on a diaper, turn off adult responsibilities, and:
- Watch Bluey, vintage cartoons, or Disney movies
- Color (free AB/DL coloring pages all over DeviantArt)
- Drink from a bottle or sippy cup
- Let yourself talk in a baby voice if it feels natural
Many people cry happy tears the first time they fully “let go.”
Privacy & Safety in 2025
- Use a separate browser or Incognito for AB/DL stuff.
- Password-protect folders on your phone/computer.
- If you live with others, get a lockable storage box (many companies sell “diaper disposal lockers”).
- Never feel pressured to meet anyone IRL until you’ve vetted them for months.
Red flags in the community:
- Anyone who mentions “ageplay with real minors”
- People who try to rush you into sending money or photos
- “Caregivers” who demand tribute before talking
Coming Out (or Not)
You do NOT owe anyone this information. Most AB/DLs are 100% private their entire lives and are perfectly happy.
If you do want to tell a partner:
- Start with “I have a kink/fetish that’s a little unusual but completely harmless.”
- Show them this guide or the Vice / BBC documentaries on AB/DL.
- Offer to answer questions and go slow.
Success rate? Studies and community polls show roughly 60-70% of partners are at least willing to try once they understand it’s not about real kids.
Resources You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
Communities (18+ only)
- r/ABDL on Reddit
- FetLife AB/DL groups
- Discord: DailyDiapers, The Royal Little Club, Padding Palace
Podcasts & YouTube (SFW channels)
- “The Big Little Podcast” (old but gold)
- “Dream a Little” (therapy-focused)
- Thriving Littles YouTube channel
Final Thought
Being an Adult Baby or Diaper Lover in is easier, safer, and more accepted inside the community than ever before. The products are better, the discretion is tighter, and the understanding is growing.
Take it at your own pace. Buy one pack of diapers. Try one pacifier. See how it feels.
If it brings you comfort, joy, or relief — even for 30 minutes at a time — then it’s worth it.
You deserve to feel little, safe, and loved, even if the only person changing your diaper is you.
Welcome home, little one.
Have questions this guide didn’t answer? Drop them in the comments (anonymously if you want) and I’ll reply to every single one. Share this post with someone who needs it — because five years ago, you might have been the one desperately Googling in the dark. Let’s make sure no one else has to.
(Last updated: December 2025 – bookmark and check back for new brands and resources!)
| Have questions this guide didn’t answer? Drop them in the comments (anonymously if you want) and I’ll reply to every single one. Share this post with someone who needs it — because five years ago, you might have been the one desperately Googling in the dark. Share this guide on Bsky and tag @crinklecattales! And if you like this guide, check out my other guides! |