maternal affection
A mother's tenderness
Maternal affection is the love and tenderness a mother feels toward her children.
The term emphasizes the nurturing, protective quality associated with motherhood: The cat showed maternal affection toward the orphaned kittens.
It can describe mother-like warmth from anyone, not just biological mothers.
- oxytocinBonding neurotransmitter from hypothalamus
- encouragementSupport spurring continued effort
- loveIntense fond attachment
- feedingGiving food to
- empathySharing another's emotions
nurturing · attachment · cradling · tenderness · instinct · soothing · soft voice · swaddling · compassion · guidance · devotion · trust · protecting · bonding · lullaby · bedtime stories · reassurance · cuddling
maternal, maternity, maternally, matriarch, matriarchal, matrix, matriculate, mother, motherly