Here are some synonyms for the word "babying" along with an analysis of how they are used:
1. Pampering
"Pampering" means to treat someone with excessive care and indulgence, often giving them special comforts and luxuries. For example, "She was pampering her dog by giving it a warm bath, brushing its fur, and feeding it treats." When compared to "babying," both involve showing a high level of care, but "pampering" doesn't necessarily imply treating someone like a baby. It can be used for anyone or anything that you want to spoil with kindness and special attention. However, in the context of treating a person like a baby, it can be a synonym as it shares the idea of overdoing the care.
2. Coddling
"Coddling" means to treat someone in an overprotective and overly gentle way, as if they were very fragile or unable to handle things on their own. For example, "His parents were coddling him even though he was old enough to take care of himself." This is very similar to "babying" as it implies not allowing the person to face challenges or do things independently, just like you would do with a baby. The main difference might be that "coddling" can sometimes have a slightly negative connotation, suggesting that the person being coddled might become too dependent.
3. Spoiling
"Spoiling" means to give someone or something too much of what they want, often resulting in them becoming ungrateful or having unrealistic expectations. For example, "If you keep spoiling your child with toys every time they ask, they'll never learn the value of things." Similar to "babying," spoiling involves excessive giving and indulgence. When you "baby" someone, you are often spoiling them as well by not making them do things for themselves or face difficulties. However, "spoiling" can be used more broadly for any kind of overindulgence, not just treating someone like a baby.
4. Mollycoddling
"Mollycoddling" is a more old-fashioned term that means to coddle or pamper someone to an extreme degree. For example, "Stop mollycoddling him! He needs to learn to be independent." It has a stronger connotation of overprotectiveness and excessive care than even "coddling" or "babying." It implies that the person doing the mollycoddling is being too soft and not allowing the other person to grow and develop properly, much like when you baby someone too much.
5. Indulging
"Indulging" means to allow someone to have or do something that they enjoy, often without much restraint. For example, "She was indulging her sweet tooth by eating a whole box of chocolates." When it comes to "babying," indulging can be a synonym in the sense that when you baby someone, you are indulging them by not making them do things they might not want to do or by giving them special treatment. However, "indulging" can also be used in a more general way for any kind of self - enjoyment or allowing someone else to enjoy something, not just related to treating like a baby.