Nurslings

Nurslings are young mammals that are still dependent on their mothers for nourishment and care. Typically, the term refers to infants or very young animals that have not yet been weaned from their mother's milk. The designation can apply across various species, including mammals such as bears, lions, and primates.

In biological terminology, nurslings are characterized by their reliance on lactation, which provides essential nutrients for growth and development during early life stages. The period during which an animal is a nursling can vary widely depending on the species, ranging from a few weeks to several months or even years in some cases.

The care of nurslings generally involvesextended maternal investment, including nursing, grooming, protection from predators, and social learning. Parental investment contributes significantly to the survival and health of the young, influencing their future reproductive success.

In the context of human development, nurslings are infants who are still breastfeeding, often within the first year of life. Human infants are generally nurslings until they are fully weaned, which varies culturally and individually but typically occurs around 6 to 12 months of age.

Understanding nurslings is important in ecological and developmental studies, as their growth and survival are critical indicators of the health of populations and ecosystems. The transition from nursing to independent feeding marks a vital stage in the maturation process across species, highlighting the importance of parental care in early life stages.