A mother with her child in Japan

A mother (also called mom, mum and mommy) is a female parent. A mother gives birth to babies after pregnancy. Pregnancy is usually nine months. If a woman raises an adopted or biological child, then she is a mother as well. Adopted children are also part of that person's family. Also see Maternal insult.

Breastfeeding

After the birth of a baby, breastfeeding is an important part of taking care of the baby.

Other names for "mother"

Madre is Mother in Spanish. Mamma or Mor is Mother in Norwegian. Mater is Mother in Latin. Mutter is Mother in German. Mat is Mother in Russian. Mama is mother in Swahili

Maternal

The word maternal is an adjective used to describe thing that are related to a mother. Common uses include: