allomothering

English

Verb

allomothering

1. present participle and gerund of allomother

Noun

allomothering (uncountable)

1. The provision of infant care from someone other than the mother.
   • 2017 August 9, Holly Dunsworth, Anne Buchanan, “Sex makes babies”, in Aeon:

     They’re so big (read: hungry) and so slow to grow to independence, that allomothering – infant care from other than the mother – not only from a baby’s grandmother, maternal aunts and sisters, but also from the baby’s brothers, father and his kin, enabled us to continue and maybe even thrive under these conditions.