.png)
One thing that has always surprised and intrigued me about ABDL, is how many people have felt drawn to this lifestyle since childhood, as my friend Crinkly put it very clearly, for him it was "factory installed"), even before they would have had any exposure to others with similar interests. Many share stories of feeling connected to diapers or wanting to be in a “baby” role from a very early age. Even in times before the internet and social networks made it easier to find other ABDLs, people from various cultures and backgrounds somehow experienced this very specific identity on their own, mostly at a very early age. It’s a kind of “polygenesis” — this similar experience emerging independently in some countries around the world.
Although this experience seems almost universal, I haven’t found any historical records or literature of adults expressing this desire before the 1940s as a fenomenum, as more than just isolated examples. Yes, there are some isolated examples and I shall dedicated a future article to chinese An Lushan, and I have seen a few other references, but not substancial. It makes me think a lot: Why does it seem that adults only began exploring “being a baby” in a structured way, with specific clothing and behavior, from this period onward? I’d love to hear from anyone who has come across earlier references because there might be more to uncover here.
Two adults dressed as babies in the 1940s, photo licensed by PHOTOVALET®
One possible explanation for this changes is the massive cultural change after World War II. This was a period when many countries focused on creating safer, nurturing environments for children. UNICEF, founded in 1946, provided essential resources and protections for children affected by war and poverty, and other organizations, like Plan International, that also expanded globally to provide food, shelter, and education, establishing a new cultural emphasis on childhood as a time to be protected.
This time also marked a turning point in how society viewed childhood, establishing it as a unique and sacred phase in life, protected from the responsibilities of adulthood. Child labor laws had begun in the 19th century, but were initially quite basic and provided minimal protection. Mandatory public education also had started in the 19th century but it became more standart practice around these times. It separated children’s lives from the adult world, allowing them time to learn, grow, and experience life free from work stresses. With more things designed specifically for children, from books and toys to clothing and even furniture, childhood gained a new level of respect and value as a distinct, joyful stage in a person's life.
Another influence in this post-war era was the rise of entertainment that is specific for children. Walt Disney had already become a household name with the founding of his animation company in 1923, producing family films that celebrated fantasy and imagination. But Disney’s most transformative contribution came in 1955 with the opening of Disneyland in California, the world’s first theme park designed exclusively for families and, particularly, children. Disneyland represented a revolutionary concept — a magical, immersive space where children could experience worlds that were previously limited to books or movies. It expanded on this new vision of childhood, creating a real-life playground of fantasy and innocence, unlike anything that had existed before.
Two adults as babies in the 1940s. Photo licensed by PHOTOVALET®
Disneyland quickly became a cultural phenomenon, reinforcing the idea of a distinct, cherished childhood phase filled with joy and wonder. This was a stark contrast to previous centuries when children were viewed as "small adults," often working from a young age. Even in the 19th century, although literature like Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Peter Pan began to celebrate the imagination of childhood, only the wealthy could afford a truly carefree youth. For most children, life remained practical and many had to work, with limited playtime and few possessions specifically made for them.
In the 1930s Hollywood organised some child/baby themed events. They called them "kiddie parties". These parties, hosted by movie studios, featured child actors dressed in adorable costumes for publicity. Although these events showcased “child-like” themes, they were far from the immersive personal experiences that adults in the ABDL community might seek today. They were intended for public entertainment and marketing rather than individual expression.
You can see here Clark Gable in one of those kids parties in the times of Hollywood Glamour
Another factor that may have contributed to the rise of ABDL practices is the change in early childhood life conditions. With advances in hygiene, health, and childcare, babyhood began to be celebrated as a precious stage, especially as child mortality decreased in the mid-20th century. Prior to this, high child mortality rates meant parents often avoided attachment to early babyhood, viewing children as vulnerable until they survived a number of years. Innovations like disposable diapers (introduced in the late 1940s and popularized by the 1960s) and the rise of stay-at-home mothers in the Western World after the War ended, provided more resources and time for parents to focus on babie. This could have given more people a cultural appreciation for babyhood. This changes in society could have created a nostalgia for early childhood in some adults, or an attachment in some older children and teenagers, especially as children’s roles shifted from “miniature adults” to treasured family members whose needs and experiences were more central to family life.
The 20th-century saw childhood becoming a protected and celebrated time, with toys, clothes, and entertainment made exclusively for kids. Disneyland and Disney films played a massive role in this by creating a “children’s world” that existed alongside, but distinct from, adult life. This cultural emphasis on protecting and celebrating childhood could have sparked an unconscious desire among some adults to reconnect with this sense of safety and simplicity, whether through ABDL practices or other forms of regression. It still does not explain completely to me how is it possible that so many where having the same desires and at the same time where totally disconnected from each other (if we think on the 1960s and 1970s)
Given these changes, I wonder if the rise in ABDL interests reflects a deep-seated need to revisit the security and nostalgia of childhood, amongst other things. This article does not touch into the pshychological aspects of it, or how people in different parts of the world who could not communicate with each other, developed an attachment to diapers, mostly at an early age, and it's an ongoing source of thinking and reading for myself. A fascinating concept and one that would benefit from further historical and social exploration. If anyone has found pre-1940s references or examples that might help me understand this topic better, I’d be thrilled to learn more.