Allomothering

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Allomothering, allomaternal infant care/handling, or non-maternal infant care/handling is performed by any group member other than the mother. Alloparental care is provided by group members other than the genetic father or the mother and thus is distinguished from parental care. Both are widespread phenomena among social insects, birds and mammals.

Allomothering comprises a wide variety of behaviours including: carrying, provisioning, grooming, touching, nursing (allonursing), and protecting infants from predators or conspecifics. Depending on age-sex composition of groups alloparents, helpers or "handlers" can be non-reproductive males in polyandrous systems, reproductive or non-reproductive adult females, young or older juveniles, or older brothers or sisters helping to raise their younger siblings.