Definition
AB/DL stands for Adult Baby / Diaper Lover. It’s a subculture and interest where adults engage in wearing diapers, using baby items (bottles, pacifiers, cribs), or roleplaying infantile scenarios. The “AB” (Adult Baby) side involves age regression and baby roleplay, while the “DL” (Diaper Lover) side is specifically about the wearing and use of diapers. It’s a paraphilic interest, though many practitioners distinguish it from sexual activity and describe it as a comfort, coping mechanism, or lifestyle choice rather than purely erotic behavior.
Why It Matters
AB/DL is one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized subcultures on the internet. It frequently appears in shock documentaries, daytime talk shows, and Reddit threads where people go “wait, what?” The subculture gained significant visibility in the 2000s through forums, early internet communities, and the occasional reality TV segment designed to make viewers feel superior. Despite the mockery, the AB/DL community has built supportive online spaces, educational resources, and a market for specialized products. It’s a fascinating case study in how the internet allows niche communities to find each other — for better or for worse.
Example
“Mark is a 34-year-old software engineer. After work, he puts on a diaper, drinks from a bottle, and watches cartoons to de-stress. He describes it as ‘the only way I can fully relax.’ His partner knows and is supportive. He would never tell his coworkers. The internet knows, because he posted about it on a forum with 40,000 other members.”
The LMAAIFY Angle
Let’s be honest: AB/DL is the internet’s favorite “weird thing” to gawk at. But here’s the thing — it’s also a perfect example of how the internet works. You have a very specific, very unusual interest? Congratulations, there are 40,000 other people who share it, and you can all buy custom diapers from a specialized manufacturer in Oregon. The internet didn’t create AB/DL (the interest predates the web), but it absolutely created the AB/DL economy. There are diaper companies, age-play gear designers, and Discord servers with more specific rules than the UN. The real comedy is not the interest itself — it’s the reaction of mainstream culture discovering that perfectly normal adults have a whole parallel life involving onesies and baby powder. Also, the Amazon recommendations must be absolutely unhinged.
Related Terms
- Age Play — Roleplaying different ages, of which AB is one subset
- Paraphilia — A clinical term for atypical sexual interests
- Fetish Community — The broader ecosystem of niche interest groups
- Kink — An umbrella term for non-mainstream sexual or lifestyle interests
- Online Subculture — The internet’s ability to sustain hyper-specific communities