What does it mean to treat someone indulgently or to baby them?

To treat someone indulgently or to baby them means to pamper or coddle them excessively. This behavior typically involves being overly protective or lenient, allowing the individual to avoid responsibilities or challenges that are necessary for their development. This form of treatment often leads to dependency, as the individual becomes accustomed to not facing difficulties on their own.

Coddling someone suggests a nurturing attitude, but taken to an extreme, it can hinder their ability to grow or cope without assistance. The other terms do not align with this concept. Coercing implies force or pressure, canvassing involves soliciting opinions or information, and circuitous means roundabout or indirect, none of which relate to the idea of indulgence or pampering.