wet-nurse
Hired infant feeder
A wet-nurse is a woman who breastfeeds and cares for another woman's child.
Before infant formula, wet-nurses were essential when mothers couldn't or wouldn't nurse—whether due to illness, death, or social custom among the wealthy.
The verb wet-nurse means to act as such, or figuratively to give excessive care to someone or something: The project manager wet-nursed the initiative through every obstacle.
Nurse an infant naturally
- suckleFeed at the breast
- lactationMammary gland secretion
- milkMammalian nursing fluid
- colostrumInitial postpartum milk
mother's milk · feed · nourishment · infant · newborn · weaning · nurturing · suckling
Hired child caretaker
- governessPrivate household teacher
- nursemaidDomestic child caretaker
- childminderProfessional youth caretaker
- attendantOne who assists others
keeper · guardian · protector · companion · domestic · household · servant · amah
Forming close connections
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
- caregivingAttending to dependents
affection · comfort · soothe · cradle · swaddle · infant care · protection · devotion
Of a prim era
- colonialOf occupied territories
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- wealthyHaving abundant financial resources
servitude · domestic service · foundling · orphanage · institution · tradition · practice · custom
breastfeed
Nurse an infant naturally
colostrum · mother's milk · feed · nourishment · infant · newborn · weaning · nurturing · suckling · latch
nanny
Hired child caretaker
- governessPrivate household teacher
- nursemaidDomestic child caretaker
- childminderProfessional youth caretaker
attendant · keeper · guardian · protector · companion · domestic · household · servant · amah · ayah
bonding
Forming close connections
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- nurturingSupportive care-giving
- tendernessGentle, caring quality
caregiving · affection · comfort · soothe · cradle · swaddle · infant care · protection · devotion · warmth
Victorian
Of a prim era
- colonialOf occupied territories
- aristocracyRule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
wealthy · servitude · domestic service · foundling · orphanage · institution · tradition · practice · custom · antiquated
surrogate
One acting for another
- substituteReplacement for another
- proxyAuthorized substitute
- stand-inTemporary human placeholder
replacement · foster · alternate · fill-in · backup · relief · hired · employed · engaged · contracted
wet-nursewean
Gradually withdraw dependence
toughen up · throw to the wolves · neglect · harden · expose