suckling
/ˈsʌklɪŋ/
noun
- A young mammal that is still feeding on its mother's milk.
- Sucklings depend entirely on their mother for nourishment during the first weeks of life.
- The mother cat carefully carried her suckling to a warmer spot.
- The farmer bottle-fed the orphaned suckling until it was strong enough to eat solid food.
- The act of feeding a baby or young animal from the breast or teat.
- Proper suckling helps the newborn get essential colostrum.
- Suckling is a natural bonding time between mother and child.
- The vet observed the suckling behavior of the piglets to ensure they were all feeding.
Antonyms
adjective
- Still nursing; very young and dependent on mother's milk.
- They adopted a suckling kitten that had been abandoned.
- A suckling lamb stayed close to its mother in the pasture.
- The suckling calf wobbled on its legs as it tried to stand.