For most, the words 'adult baby' immediately conjures both an image and a feeling. In concept adult babyhood is one of the easiest roles to imagine, but in practice can be one of the hardest to navigate. It is often full of myths, assumptions, and misunderstandings on all sides.
As a fetish, it can place us immediately at odds by placing some of the most innocent aspects of life right alongside some of the most mature. It isn't uncommon for the uninitiated to misunderstand and equate it to immoral practices best not mentioned. As a fantasy, it can be mistaken for or taken too far into a total retreat from adult responsibilities and healthy relationships. In my experience, adult babies frequently and caretakers occasionally strive for a totally helpless baby, completely incapable or not allowed to function as an adult. And in practice, adult babyhood is strife with stereotypes and assumptions of what must be included. For example, it is often assumed than an adult baby wants to wear, use, and have their diapers changed, a hard limit for some.
Now, having covered what it isn't, what is adult babyhood?
Adult babyhood is a deeply personal and unique experience, melding a vision of babyhood with the fantasies of the fetish, tempered by the preferences and circumstances of those involved. At is core, it is about emulating or parodying aspects of babyhood to engender a feeling of babyishness for and towards an adult. The motivation and emotions can vary in a spectrum from innocent regression to an exaggerated domination, often a complex mix of everything in between.
In my view, the vision of babyhood is an important foundation to define what adult babyhood means for you. That being all the elements you associate with babyhood without regard to you feelings about imposing them on, or having them imposed on you as an adult. Which isn't to say every element should be considered for inclusion, just what best sparks the emotions you want in your play or dynamic. You are drawing on your own impressions of actual babyhood without regard to a particular age or even the accuracy for what it takes to feel like you are or to see someone else as a baby.
An adult baby can be sitting at the coffee table coloring, yet still be spoon and bottle fed. Both are appropriate for children and can be seen as immature, but aren't typically associated with the same ages. Diapers can be substituted for training pants or other thick padding for the look and waddle of a toddler. Perhaps your image of a baby strongly aligns with a baby girl, regardless of the baby's actual gender they can be put into dresses and frilly rompers.
The fetishes and fantasies associated with them build on that foundation. Whether you've long though about being or caring for an adult baby, or are new to the idea, the fact is you are all consenting adults with imaginations. The fact that the baby is an adult, allows you to exaggerate, subtract, or add elements that would never be appropriate for an actual baby. You can even mix and match fetishes, other submissive roles, fantasies of negotiated mock neglect and abuse, and include or specifically deny sexual activity.
A caregiver can leave an adult baby at home confined to a crib or playpen without adult supervision. They can use their adult baby for sexual satisfaction than put them down for a nap denied, because they are too little. An adult baby can be spanked, paddled, or caned more harshly than one should ever punish an actual child. A maid can go about their duties with a diaper peaking out from their dress and a pacifier in their mouth.
We touched on omitting or adding details in both previous parts because it is threaded through the entire experience. Your preferences and circumstances are important. If some element of babyhood or the fantasy don't work for you either due to limits, situation, or doesn't spark any strong feelings, simply discard it. Alternatively, if an element strongly influences the emotions you want from adult babyhood you can include it whether or not it aligns with the vision or the fantasy. Everyone needs to consent to it, but that doesn't mean it has to be on their list of things they want to do, if there is a desirable benefit.
If an adult baby strongly feels they need diapers and to wet them for their headspace, that doesn't meant the caregiver has to change them or permit messy ones. If a caregiver feels that a nurse or nanny uniform puts them in the mood, they can wear it even if they are the mommy without taking on another title or role. If a butt plug or dildo makes for a particularly believably squirmy baby, include it if it suits you.
Most importantly, we are all adults. We have jobs, responsibilities, and relationships to maintain. Outside of exceptional cases, adult babyhood should never interfere with that. Caregiver's should never be on duty twenty-four/seven unless they want to be. In scene play, this is particularly easy. In full-time dynamics, it is possible even advantageous to thread babyhood into day-to-day life, without interfering with what is important.
Bedtimes can make maintaining healthy sleep habits easier. Diet control can be framed in the same manner as a parent controlling what their baby eats to aid in a healthy lifestyle. The baby can be left to their own devices in a playpen, or put down for a nap so the caregiver can return to normal life, without the baby having to leave headspace. Adult babies can wear onesies, or even diapers under work clothes without revealing their fetish to the world.
Adult babyhood is simply exchanging aspects of fantasy and childhood for those of adulthood. What is important is that the baby feels like a baby and that the caregiver can see them as a baby. It draws on your imagination and what you personally identify as babyish, without regard to age or physical size. Adult babyhood shouldn't negatively impact your life or limit anyone's options as an adult in ways they don't consent to. Adult babyhood can be for the short duration of a scene, the whole of a dynamic, or a permanent part of your lifestyle.