dry-nurse
Milkless baby tender
A dry-nurse is a woman who cares for an infant but does not breastfeed it—distinguished from a wet-nurse, who provides milk.
The term extends figuratively to anyone who guides or supervises with excessive care: He dry-nursed the new employees through their first month.
As a verb, to dry-nurse is to tend or mentor in this protective way.
Hired child caretaker
- governessPrivate household teacher
- nursemaidDomestic child caretaker
- childminderProfessional youth caretaker
- au pairForeign live-in childcare worker
babysitter · attendant · caretaker · guardian · matron · ayah · amah · fosterer
Leader or instruction book
- mentorTrusted wisdom-giving advisor
- tutorIndividual instruction provider
- coachOne who instructs
- adviserOne giving professional guidance
counselor · supporter · protector · sponsor · instructor · trainer · shepherd · steward
Of a prim era
- EdwardianOf early twentieth-century Britain
- domesticOf the home
- servantOne employed to serve
- householdDomestic unit of residents
governess · chaperone · duenna · old-fashioned · historical · traditional · period
nanny
Hired child caretaker
- governessPrivate household teacher
- nursemaidDomestic child caretaker
- childminderProfessional youth caretaker
au pair · babysitter · attendant · caretaker · guardian · matron · ayah · amah · fosterer · minder
guide
Leader or instruction book
adviser · counselor · supporter · protector · sponsor · instructor · trainer · shepherd · steward · overseer
Victorian
Of a prim era
household · governess · chaperone · duenna · old-fashioned · historical · traditional · period
feeding
Giving food to
- weaningGradual dietary independence
- swaddlingWrapping babies snugly
- soothingReducing distress or discomfort
comforting · rearing · tending · nourishing · cradling · pacifying · caring · nursing · mothering
dry-nursethrow to the wolves
Abandon to hostile forces
sink or swim · tough love · trial by fire · baptism of fire · neglect
dry-nursemicromanager
One who overcontrols subordinates
enabler · coddler · helicopter parent · abandoner · neglector
nurse, nurture, nursery, nursed, nurturing, nurses, nurturance, nurser, wet-nurse