adult baby syndrome

== English == === Etymology === From adult baby +‎ syndrome. First attested as early as 21 March 1994, but popularised in academia by a 2003 research paper (see quotations). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌæd.ʌltˌbeɪ̯.biˈsɪn.drəʊm/, /ˌæd.əlt-/ (General American) IPA(key): /əˌdʌltˌbeɪ̯.biˈsɪn.dɹoʊm/, /ˌæd.əlt-/, /-ˈsɪn.dɹəm/ Hyphenation: a‧dult ba‧by syn‧drome, ad‧ult ba‧by syn‧drome === Noun === adult baby syndrome (uncountable) (pathology, now informal, possibly offensive, uncommon) A condition or desire in which one takes on the role of an infant or toddler, usually by wearing diapers, engaging in child-like activities and engaging with childish paraphernalia, whether sexual (autonepiophilia) or non-sexual; infantilism, often believed to be the result of childhood trauma, neglect or abuse. Hypernym: ageplay ==== Usage notes ==== This term is often avoided by adult babies, who view their activities as a lifestyle or hobby rather than a disorder; some alternatively prefer age regression or ABDL. When regarded specifically as a paraphilia, the terms paraphilic infantilism, autonepiophilia and ABDL are more common. === See also === ABDL age regression