The contents of this article have been suggested to be split into Baby Pokémon and Baby Pokémon (TCG).
Please discuss it on the talk page for this article.

A baby Pokémon (Japanese: ベイビィポケモン baby Pokémon) is a Pokémon at the lowest stage of Pokémon Evolution that cannot itself breed, but whose evolved forms can. The concept was introduced in Generation II, along with breeding.

Baby Pokémon sleeping with Snorlax for Project Snorlax

Overview

Baby Pokémon can be classified by the following criteria:

  • Must be obtainable by breeding
  • Must be the lowest form in a family chain and must be able to evolve at least once
  • Must belong to the No Eggs Discovered Egg Group

The only baby Pokémon introduced alongside their evolved form are Togepi, Riolu, and Toxel; the rest were introduced in generations after their evolved form was. Several baby Pokémon require a high amount of friendship to evolve.

In the games, baby Pokémon were originally only obtainable through breeding. On occasion, non-player characters will give the player an Egg containing a baby Pokémon, and this Pokémon typically cannot be obtained by any other method except by breeding. Generation III introduced the first baby Pokémon able to be caught in the wild: Wynaut on Mirage Island. In Generation IV and beyond, many other Baby Pokémon were also available in the wild.

From Generation III to VIII, in order to breed most of the baby Pokémon introduced after Generation II, the parent in their evolutionary line must hold a specific Incense before breeding, which provides a rationale for why those parent Pokémon could not produce these Eggs in previous generations. For example, Marill could not produce Eggs of Azurill, which was introduced in Generation III, without the use of the Sea Incense. In Generation IX, this requirement was removed and a baby Pokémon will always be produced, regardless of held items.

List of baby Pokémon

Introduced in Pokémon Gold and Silver

Baby Pokémon After Evolution
Pokémon Image Type Pokémon Type Parent's Egg Group
Pichu Pichu  Electric  Pikachu Pikachu  Electric  Field
Fairy
Raichu Raichu  Electric 
Raichu Alolan Raichu  Electric  Psychic 
Cleffa Cleffa  Normal  (II-V)
 Fairy  (VI+)
Clefairy Clefairy  Normal  (I-V)
 Fairy  (VI+)
Fairy
Clefable Clefable  Normal  (I-V)
 Fairy  (VI+)
Igglybuff Igglybuff  Normal  (II-V)
 Normal  Fairy  (VI+)
Jigglypuff Jigglypuff  Normal  (I-V)
 Normal  Fairy  (VI+)
Fairy
Wigglytuff Wigglytuff  Normal  (I-V)
 Normal  Fairy  (VI+)
Togepi Togepi  Normal  (II-V)
 Fairy  (VI+)
Togetic Togetic  Normal  Flying  (II-V)
 Fairy  Flying  (VI+)
Flying
Fairy
Togekiss Togekiss  Normal  Flying  (IV-V)
 Fairy  Flying  (VI+)
Tyrogue Tyrogue  Fighting  Hitmonlee Hitmonlee  Fighting  Human-Like
Hitmonchan Hitmonchan  Fighting 
Hitmontop Hitmontop  Fighting 
Smoochum Smoochum  Ice  Psychic  Jynx Jynx  Ice  Psychic  Human-Like
Elekid Elekid  Electric  Electabuzz Electabuzz  Electric  Human-Like
Electivire Electivire  Electric 
Magby Magby  Fire  Magmar Magmar  Fire  Human-Like
Magmortar Magmortar  Fire 

Introduced in Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire

Baby Pokémon After Evolution Incense
Pokémon Image Type Pokémon Type Parent's Egg Group
Azurill Azurill  Normal  (III-V)
 Normal  Fairy  (VI+)
Marill Marill  Water  (II-V)
 Water  Fairy  (VI+)
Water 1
Fairy

Sea Incense
Azumarill Azumarill  Water  (II-V)
 Water  Fairy  (VI+)
Wynaut Wynaut  Psychic  Wobbuffet Wobbuffet  Psychic  Amorphous
Lax Incense

Introduced in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl

Baby Pokémon After Evolution Incense
Pokémon Image Type Pokémon Type Parent's Egg Group
Budew Budew  Grass  Poison  Roselia Roselia  Grass  Poison  Fairy
Grass

Rose Incense
Roserade Roserade  Grass  Poison 
Chingling Chingling  Psychic  Chimecho Chimecho  Psychic  Amorphous
Pure Incense
Bonsly Bonsly  Rock  Sudowoodo Sudowoodo  Rock  Mineral
Rock Incense
Mime Jr. Mime Jr.  Psychic  (IV-V)
 Psychic  Fairy  (VI+)
Mr. Mime Mr. Mime  Psychic  (I-V)
 Psychic  Fairy  (VI+)
Human-Like
Odd Incense
Mr. Mime Galarian Mr. Mime  Ice  Psychic 
Mr. Rime Mr. Rime  Ice  Psychic 
Happiny Happiny  Normal  Chansey Chansey  Normal  Fairy
Luck Incense
Blissey Blissey  Normal 
Munchlax Munchlax  Normal  Snorlax Snorlax  Normal  Monster
Full Incense
Riolu Riolu  Fighting  Lucario Lucario  Fighting  Steel  Field
Human-Like
None
Mantyke Mantyke  Water  Flying  Mantine Mantine  Water  Flying  Water 1
Wave Incense

Introduced in Pokémon Sword and Shield

Baby Pokémon After Evolution
Pokémon Image Type Pokémon Type Parent's Egg Group
Toxel Toxel  Electric  Poison  Toxtricity Toxtricity  Electric  Poison  Human-Like

Exclusive moves

Besides Egg Moves, there are some moves that Pokémon can learn at the baby stage which will become permanently unavailable after Evolution. For the Pokémon which can use an Incense to breed there are also moves that are mutually exclusive because they depend on which species was hatched from the egg.

In Generation VIII, there are no such cases as all these Pokémon can learn any move that their previous evolutionary form could. The exception is Splash, which can be learned by Azurill but not by Marill in Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, though Marill can learn it in Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl. This change didn't carry over to Generation IX, meaning that Last Resort and Entrainment can still only be learned by Chingling, and not by Chimecho due to them not being in Sword and Shield and not having their movesets updated along with the other Baby Pokémon that require incense to breed.

Since Generation IX, Pokémon always produce a Baby Pokémon, regardless of held items. Pokémon that appear in the generation's games no longer have exclusive Egg Moves.

Non-incense babies

Pokémon Move Generation Method acquiring

Pichu
Charm II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Sweet Kiss II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Nasty Plot II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Uproar II III IV V VI VII Move Tutor

Cleffa
Icy Wind II III IV V VI VII TM in II/Move TutorE in III
Charm II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Sweet Kiss II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Magical Leaf II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Copycat II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Uproar II III IV V VI VII Move Tutor

Igglybuff
Icy Wind II III IV V VI VII TM in II/Move TutorE in III
Charm II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Sweet Kiss II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Copycat II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Uproar II III IV V VI VII Move Tutor

Togepi
Uproar II III IV V VI VII Move Tutor

Tyrogue
Tackle II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Helping Hand II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Fake Out II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Foresight* II III IV V VI VII Level Up (except DP)
Uproar II III IV V VI VII Move Tutor

Smoochum
Sweet Kiss II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Confusion II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Sing II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Lucky Chant II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Copycat II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Uproar II III IV V VI VII Move Tutor

Elekid
Uproar II III IV V VI VII Move Tutor

Magby
Uproar II III IV V VI VII Move Tutor

Riolu
Reversal II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Screech II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Copycat II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Endure II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Nasty Plot II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Final Gambit II III IV V VI VII Level Up
Force Palm II III IV V VI VII Level Up

Incense babies

Mantyke and Mantine do not learn any Egg Moves unique to themselves.

Pokémon Move Generation Method acquiring

Azurill
Refresh III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Bubble III IV V VI VII Level Up (except B2W2)
Splash III IV V VI VII Level Up
Charm III IV V VI VII Level Up
Slam III IV V VI VII Level Up and Egg Move
Encore III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Sing III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Tickle III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Fake Tears III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Uproar III IV V VI VII Level Up
Soak III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Copycat III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Bounce* III IV V VI VII Level Up

Marill
Amnesia III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Belly Drum III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Future Sight III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Perish Song III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Present III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Supersonic III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Aqua Jet III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Body Slam III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Superpower III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Muddy Water III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Water Sport III IV V VI VII Egg Move
Camouflage III IV V VI VII Egg Move

Wynaut
Charm III IV V VI VII Level Up
Encore III IV V VI VII Level Up
Splash III IV V VI VII Level Up
Tickle III IV V VI VII Event move

Budew
Water Sport IV V VI VII Level Up
Worry Seed* IV V VI VII Level Up
Uproar IV V VI VII Move Tutor
Extrasensory IV V VI VII Egg Move

Roselia
Bullet Seed IV V VI VII Egg Move
Power Whip IV V VI VII Egg Move (in USUM)

Chingling
Recover IV V VI VII Egg Move
Last Resort* IV V VI VII Level Up
Entrainment IV V VI VII Level Up

Chimecho
Crafty Shield IV V VI VII Egg Move (in USUM)
Perish Song IV V VI VII Egg Move (in USUM)

Bonsly
Fake Tears IV V VI VII Level Up
Uproar IV V VI VII Move Tutor

Mime Jr.
Tickle IV V VI VII Level Up
Uproar IV V VI VII Move Tutor
Charm IV V VI VII Egg Move
Healing Wish IV V VI VII Egg Move
Psychic Terrain IV V VI VII Egg Move (in USUM)

Mr. Mime
Follow Me IV V VI VII Event move

Happiny
Charm IV V VI VII Level Up
Copycat IV V VI VII Level Up
Sweet Kiss IV V VI VII Level Up
Uproar IV V VI VII Move Tutor
Last Resort IV V VI VII Egg Move

Chansey
Sweet Scent IV V VI VII Event move
Wish IV V VI VII Event move
Seismic Toss IV V VI VII Egg Move

Munchlax
Metronome IV V VI VII Level Up
Odor Sleuth IV V VI VII Level Up
Screech IV V VI VII Level Up
Stockpile IV V VI VII Level Up
Swallow IV V VI VII Level Up
Last Resort* IV V VI VII Level Up
Uproar IV V VI VII Move Tutor
Self-Destruct IV V VI VII EventIV/Egg MoveV-VII
Recycle* IV V VI VII Level Up
Snatch IV V VI VII Level Up

Snorlax
Refresh IV V VI VII Event Move
Fissure IV V VI VII Egg Move

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Sleep

Baby Pokémon in Pokémon Sleep always have the Slumbering sleep type, regardless of the sleep types of its Evolutions. Baby Pokémon require 20 candies to evolve, except for Mime Jr. and Riolu, which instead require 40 and 80 candies, respectively. Prior to the version 1.0.6 update, all baby Pokémon (except for Riolu) require 40 candies to evolve.

With the exception of Mr. Mime, researching sleep styles of Pokémon that are Evolutions of baby Pokémon yields 1 less candy than the equivalent for other evolved Pokémon. For example, researching the 1-star sleep style of Wartortle yields 5 candies, but researching the 1-star sleep style of Pikachu (the Evolution of Pichu, a baby Pokémon) yields 4 candies instead.

In animation

Several baby Pokémon and a Teddiursa in The Brockster Is In!

All baby Pokémon have appeared in the animated series, with some belonging to main characters. While most of them appeared in the Pikachu shorts regularly, most have also had major appearances in Pokémon the Series. In some cases, other newborn Pokémon are called baby Pokémon as well.

Baby Pokémon usually have childish personalities, but some begin to show signs of maturity after gaining experience or evolving, such as when Brock's Bonsly gave up bottle-feeding. However, Paul's Elekid was shown to have inherited his harsh personality. This is not limited to owned Pokémon, as Where No Togepi Has Gone Before! portrays a wild Togepi with mischievous intentions.

Pichu first appeared in The Apple Corp, where it was stealing apples from Charmaine's apple orchard.

In The Screen Actor's Guilt, Brad Van Darn owned a Smoochum. His agent is afraid that Brad's image as an action star would be ruined if this was made public.

An abandoned Tyrogue appeared in A Tyrogue Full of Trouble.

Igglybuff twins belonging to Brittany appeared in Same Old Song and Dance, where they were practicing for a concert.

In Wish Upon a Star Shape, a Cleffa fell from a spaceship that belonged to the kleptomaniac Clefairy from Clefairy Tales.

An Elekid made its debut in Here's Lookin' at You, Elekid where Casey caught it.

A Trainer named Satchel was trying to get his Magby to evolve for the Silver Conference in You're A Star, Larvitar and succeeded. It reappeared in Address Unown! where it was part of an Unown's dimension.

A Mime Jr. appeared under the ownership of Queen Ilene in Pokémon: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. Also, in the same movie, a wild Bonsly appeared as it followed Ash and his friends on their quest to find Pikachu. After that, Bonsly stayed in the Tree of the Beginning with Mew.

A Smoochum appeared in Three Jynx and a Baby!, where she was protected by three Jynx, and later taken by Team Rocket who tried to turn her into a star. Smoochum evolved into another Jynx at the end.

An illustration of Ash's Pikachu as a Pichu by Atsuko Nishida

Three Chingling appeared in The Bells Are Singing!, under the ownership of Francesca.

An Azurill, Cleffa, two Igglybuff, and three Pichu appeared in Hungry for the Good Life! under the ownership of Mr. Backlot.

Ash used a Mantyke for the second leg of the Pokémon Triathlon in One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!.

A wild Elekid appeared in Three Sides to Every Story!, where it and Dawn's Piplup were trying to win Lulu's Marill heart. However, Elekid was the one who won Marill's heart in the end.

Several baby Pokémon, including Pichu, Cleffa, Wynaut, Smoochum, Igglybuff, and Azurill, appeared in The Brockster Is In!.

A Pichu appeared in A Jolting Switcheroo!, under the ownership of Lena. Bonnie mistakenly takes Lyn's bag containing Pichu, but she got Pichu back by the end of the episode.

A recurring Smoochum made her debut alongside her Trainer Nini in Pathways to Performance Partnering!.

Several baby Pokémon, including Pichu, Cleffa, Igglybuff, Togepi, Smoochum, and Magby, appeared in I Choose You!, where they were chasing a Chikorita near the ending credits.

A recurring Munchlax made its debut in A Dream Encounter! under the ownership of Professor Burnet.

A Togepi, Tyrogue, and Smoochum appeared in The Power of Us! where they were following Harriet, although she let the three of them alongside five others stay with her permanently.

Toxel first appeared in Curtain Up! Fight the Fights!.

An Elekid under the ownership of Orla appeared in For Sure! 'Cause Sprigatito's with Me!.

Pokémon the Series

Baby Pokémon owned by main characters

Pokémon Debut episode
Misty's Togepi Who Gets to Keep Togepi?
May's Munchlax Berry, Berry Interesting
Misty's Azurill The Scheme Team
James's Mime Jr. Sweet Baby James
Brock's Bonsly From Cradle to Save
Brock's Happiny One Big Happiny Family!
Ash's Pichu Pokémon - I Choose You!
Goh's Mantyke The Sinnoh Iceberg Race!
Ash's Riolu Caring for a Mystery!
Jessie's Wobbuffet Tricks of the Trade

Other Baby Pokémon

Pokémon Debut episode
Pichu Brothers Pikachu & Pichu
Wynaut Fangs for Nothin'
Paul's Elekid When Pokémon Worlds Collide!
Nando's Budew Dawn of a New Era!
Aura Sphere Riolu Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 1
Spiky-eared Pichu Arceus and the Jewel of Life
Ukulele Pichu Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs (Part 1)
Cameron's Riolu Goodbye, Junior Cup - Hello Adventure!
Korrina's Riolu Mega Revelation!
Lusamine's Cleffa A Dream Encounter!

In the manga

Pichu hatching from an Egg in Pokémon Adventures

Pokémon Adventures

All baby Pokémon—except Toxel—have appeared in Pokémon Adventures so far, with some belonging to main characters. Gold is known for being able to draw out the largest potential of a baby Pokémon, having the title of "Hatcher".

Cleffa and Igglybuff first appeared in Gligar Glide, escaping from the Daycare Center near Goldenrod City. Their first major appearance was in Irked Igglybuff and Curmudgeonly Cleffa, under the ownership of Whitney.

Tyrogue were seen in Querulous Qwilfish assisting with the construction of the Battle Tower. Bruno of the Elite Four was later seen with one in The Last Battle X.

Smoochum first appeared in Gligar Glide, escaping from the Daycare Center near Goldenrod City.

Ken of the Team Rocket Elite Trio is seen with an Elekid in Elekid Incorporated.

Magby first appeared in Gligar Glide, escaping from the Daycare Center near Goldenrod City. Crystal is later seen capturing one in Off Course with Corsola.

Azurill debuted in The Last Battle XIII as one of the Pokémon sent to help the fight in Ilex Forest.

Wynaut first made a cameo as one of the many Trainer-owned Pokémon who were transported to stop Ho-Oh and Lugia's rampage in The Last Battle XIII. In With a Spoink in Your Step II, many wild Wynaut made an appearance on Mirage Island, where Ruby and Sapphire trained for the upcoming battle against Maxie and Archie.

Budew first appeared in Passing by Probopass and Maneuvering around Magnezone under the ownership of a Trainer.

Chingling first appeared in Passing by Probopass and Maneuvering around Magnezone. A Chingling belonging to the Advanced level Grunt of Team Galactic appeared in Stunning Staravia & Stinky Skuntank I. It has an unusually threatening face, and powerful sound abilities to match.

Bonsly first appeared in Deprogramming Porygon-Z.

Mime Jr. first appeared in All About Arceus VI under the ownership of Ken.

Happiny first appeared in Passing by Probopass and Maneuvering around Magnezone.

Professor Kukui owns a Munchlax that first appeared in PASM05.

Riolu first appeared in Magnificent Meditite & Really Riolu I, under the ownership of Maylene. He is capable of using Aura Sphere.

In Vexing Vespiquen & Unmanageable Mothim II, Diamond helps protect an Egg containing Riolu from two Galactic-hired thugs, and after they are defeated, it hatches and is shown to interact with its evolved form. It decided to stay with Riley.

A Mantyke first appeared in Leaping Past Lopunny under the ownership of a Trainer.

Baby Pokémon owned by main characters

Pokémon Debut episode
Gold's Togepi Gligar Glide
Crystal's Smoochum Slugging It Out with Slugma
Gold's Pichu The Last Battle XII
Diamond's Munchlax Stagestruck Starly
Casey's Toxel Ooh Shiny!! Legendary Equipment

Other Baby Pokémon

Pokémon Debut episode
Spiky-eared Pichu All About Arceus IX
Korrina's Riolu The Aegislash Agenda

In the TCG

Baby Pokémon in the Trading Card Game used to be its own evolutionary stage during the Neo Series and the e-Card Series. Pokémon with the Baby Stage count as Basic Pokémon, which also means that they can be set as the Active Pokémon or put on the Bench when setting up to play. Baby Pokémon cards also state they can evolve into Pokémon cards which have the name of the species that they evolve into in the core series games, even though those cards are Basic Pokémon and do not normally evolve from other cards. While Baby Pokémon have low Hit Points, they make up for it by having the "Baby Pokémon rule"[1] that requires the opponent to flip a coin and receive a heads result to succeed in attacking while the Baby Pokémon is in the Active Spot.

In the EX Series, the Diamond & Pearl Series, and the Platinum Series, the Baby stage was removed. Instead, Baby Pokémon are printed as Basic Pokémon with the Baby Evolution Poké-Power. Baby Evolution allows Baby Pokémon to evolve into their respective Evolution and heal all damage from itself in the process.

Starting with the HeartGold & SoulSilver era, baby Pokémon cards can no longer evolve. Baby Pokémon cards in the HeartGold & SoulSilver era have the Sweet Sleeping Face Poké-Body. Sweet Sleeping Face protects its user from damage dealt by attacks while it is Asleep, while every Baby Pokémon has an attack that costs no Energy and puts them to sleep. As Asleep is cured between turns only if a coin lands on heads between turns, the combination of effects closely mimics the rule used on Baby Pokémon in the Neo and e-Card Series. Furthermore, all cards depicting Baby Pokémon lack weaknesses and retreat costs.

Baby Pokémon returned in Unbroken Bonds, and appeared in all later Sun & Moon Series sets. Baby Pokémon from this series have Abilities that only have an effect if a coin flip has a "heads" result and end the player's turn regardless of the outcome. These Baby Pokémon cards also do not have attacks, weaknesses, and retreat costs. The TAG TEAM card Togepi & Cleffa & Igglybuff-GX features three Baby Pokémon, but does not follow the mechanical pattern of other Baby Pokémon from this series.

Baby Pokémon cards return in the Scarlet & Violet Series starting with the Obsidian Flames expansion. Cards featuring baby Pokémon in this series always feature one attack with zero energy requirement, and have no retreat cost. Unlike prior interpretations of Baby Pokémon, these cards have a weakness listed.

Unlike other Pokémon that are considered baby Pokémon in the games, Togepi, Riolu, and Toxel are usually treated as regular Basic Pokémon and do not follow the conventions listed above, likely due to them having been introduced in the same generations as their evolved forms. Their Evolutions (Togetic, Lucario, and Toxtricity, respectively) are normally Stage 1 Pokémon that evolve from these Pokémon.

Trivia

In other languages

Language Title
French Bébé Pokémon
German Baby-Pokémon
Italian Pokémon Baby
Korean 베이비 포켓몬 Baby Pokémon
Polish Pokémon Niemowlak*
Portuguese Brazil Pokémon Bebê
Portugal Pokémon Bebé
Spanish Pokémon Bebé

References

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