Adult diaper 'therapy' spa opens in New Hampshire amid community backlash

A bed and breakfast catering to so-called Adult Baby/Diaper Lovers (ABDL) in a small New Hampshire town has drawn criticism and backlash from the community. 

The Diaper Spa, located at 23 Pope Road in Atkinson, NH, is advertised as being a "physician-run diaper salon" serving "all diaper-wearing individuals who seek acceptance, respite, and care," the website states. 

According to The Eagle-Tribune, a business filing with the state’s Secretary of State’s office was rejected, with the filing showing that owner Colleen Ann Murphy created the business, which is categorized by the state as a health care and social assistance business, in December 2023.

Atkinson police Chief Tim Crowley told the outlet that the business may already be up and running and that he believes the owner is in the process of applying for, or has already applied for, a business license with the town.

John Apple, Atkinson Town Administrator, did not confirm whether the business has submitted an application. Boston.com reported that the majority of the business’s offerings are virtual at this time, including telehealth services and life coaching.

Services range from a free 30-minute "discovery call" with "resident Diaper Doctor" Murphy, to a $1,500 "Diaper B&B," described as a "premier spa experience for the little one inside of you."

The business also offers a one-hour "virtual play date/zoom visit with doc" for $200, as well as "ABDL Nursery Spa Care" for $300 minimum, described as "A spa-like nursery experience for the little one inside of you, providing a warm, safe, and nurturing environment while you indulge in relaxation and self-care."

A galley of offerings showcases a room complete with an adult-sized crib, a chest full of adult-sized diapers in childish prints, as well as stuffed animals placed around the house. 

Murphy is described on the website as "an exceptionally trained and licensed medical doctor with over two decades of knowledge and experience in nurturing others" and "neurodivergent."

A visit includes activities like "playtime, story time, nap time, cuddle time, changing time, coloring, nursery rhymes, and sing-a-longs," with seasonal offerings including picnics, pool time, and tea time in the summer and building snowmen, drinking hot chocolate, and decorating cookies in the winter.

"For weekend/vacation or B&B stays, you may enjoy a mountain trip to collect leaves or pine cones, travel to the beach to play in the waves, build a sandcastle, or search for seashells," the website notes, adding that the location is just 40 minutes from the Kittery Outlets in southern Maine, and an hour and a half from the LL Bean flagship campus in Freeport, Maine.

A previous version of the website from January 26 stated that "We have a trail practically from the backyard leading along a pond and a private walk to a fun park all year. Other secluded walking trails are easily accessible to our facility on foot."

Residents expressed concerns over business’s proximity to local parks and trails.

Kayla Gallagher, an Atkinson resident and mother of three, said she was concerned about "field trips" to the local playground.

“That is something that I will never be willing to expose my kids to, so now we will no longer be able to use that park,” Gallagher said.

"You can do what you want in your home, but a business? It’s not right for the community," Susan Mitcheson, a neighbor, told 7News.

“I’m sure there’s a lot of kids that live around here, and what type of people are going to do that?” said Mike Vigliotta. “People who are looking at children or being children by wearing diapers and being treated like a baby. That kind of concerns me. Who knows what that leads too.”

Gallagher launched a petition on Change.org over the business, garnering over 500 signatures by January 31.

"As residents and patrons of this community, we feel compelled to voice our collective concern and dissatisfaction regarding potential incidents that pose a threat to the safety and well-being of our community members, particularly our children," the petition states.

"It has come to our attention that this business is advertised to individuals whose sexual fetish involves childlike behaviors. This business, per their website, has advertised our town playground to their potential clientele. Thus their sexual fetish will involve the town park where our children play," it adds.

The petition was closed on Wednesday, with Gallagher writing in an update that the website had been updated to remove reference to the playground as well as playdates with a "little," and thus the purpose of the petition had been met.