u/PokeHexDex

Whether you like them as a concept or not, baby Pokémon exist. As of the end of Generation 9, we have 19 in total, ranging from Pichu all the way to our most recent baby, Toxel. While some people may dislike the concept of baby Pokémon as they seem to just pad out the Pokédex and don’t add any particular value from a competitive or strategic perspective, personally I don’t mind them; not every Pokémon can be competitively viable, and I think it’s always fun to have a few more little guys (and gals) in the mix.

When they were first introduced, these were Pokémon that could only be obtained through breeding, so having a slate of new Pokédex entries to fill by hatching was a good way to get players used to the new mechanic. Nowadays, breeding is not the only way to get baby Pokémon. Most baby Pokémon are simply roaming the wild in Scarlet and Violet. Even as far back as Diamond and Pearl, baby Pokémon – including the new ones introduced in that generation like Budew and Happiny – could be found in tall grass with no breeding required. While this did make it easier to fill out the Pokédex, it also took away one of the main characteristics that set baby Pokémon apart from the rest.

If the only thing that makes a baby Pokémon is now its inability to breed, do you think there are a) any existing Pokémon who should "retroactively" fall under the baby classification, and b) any Pokémon who should receive a baby pre-evolution in the future? Personally, I think yes on both fronts:

Pokémon that I'd like to see become babies (mainly based on their naming conventions):

• Vullaby/Rufflet
  • Vullaby's name is a portmanteau of vulture baby, and just look at her; she’s wearing a skull diaper. I’d also include Rufflet here, who is basically Vullaby’s male counterpart also introduced in Unova.
• Capsakid
  • Its name is the first giveaway – this is a kid. Also, that white part on top of its head could be interpreted as the egg that it hatched out of. Definitely a good candidate for a baby Pokémon.
• Flabébé
  • My French may not be the best, but I know that bébé is French for baby. Honestly, all of these names are just screaming to be classified as baby Pokémon at this point.
• Bagon
  • Baby + dragon = Bagon. Need I say more? This would also give Bagon the unique distinction as the only pseudo-legendary family to include a baby Pokémon.
• Sewaddle
  • Babies “waddle” and are “swaddled” (wrapped in a cloth). This little guy should have been our first bug-type baby Pokémon.
• Larvesta
  • If not Sewaddle, then Larvesta would be my next pick for the first bug-type baby Pokémon. Larvae are essentially baby insects, so Larvesta would fit this classification perfectly.
• Honourable mentions: Cherubi, Solosis, Cetoddle
  • These three Pokémon I feel are loosely baby-adjacent, but thought I should include them because between their designs and/or names, they could be reasonably reclassified as baby Pokémon.

Pokémon that I'd like to see receive baby pre-evolutions:

• Lickitung
  • Other Kanto Pokémon like Magmar and Electabuzz originally had no evolutions, but they later received baby forms (Magby and Elekid) and an additional evolution in Magmortar and Electivire. Lickitung already has an evolution in Lickilicky, so why not give it a baby form as well? Plus, here’s the perfect name: Lilicky (lil’ and licky)!
• Tropius
  • Personally, I love Tropius, and I think this is a single-stage Pokémon that would be a great candidate to receive a baby pre-evolution. Its concept could focus on the banana of Tropius’ design, a common ingredient in baby food!
• Furfrou
  • Currently there are no baby Pokémon with different forms (unless you count Spiky-eared Pichu), so adding one to the Furfrou line could be a great opportunity to have a puppy with different hair styles!
• Kangaskhan
  • This one is purely for the logic of breeding. It does not make a lot of sense that when you hatch a Kangaskhan, it already has a baby form in its pouch. Instead, make the baby its own Pokémon and call it Kangaskid.
• Drampa
  • I think this one would be a fun contrast between a grandpa dragon and a baby dragon in the same evolution line.
• Maractus
  • I am envisioning that this baby Pokémon would look like Maractus’ head, with spikes, buds or small flowers where the eventual cactus ears would grow from. Think of a single Pokey from Super Mario cosplaying as a Maractus.

I think it would be great to see more baby Pokémon introduced in Generation 10 and beyond, but only time will tell if there are new babies on the horizon. I know that baby Pokémon can be polarizing within the community, so I would love to know how YOU feel on the current number of baby Pokémon in the franchise!