breastfeed

verb

breast·​feed ˈbrest-ˌfēd 

variants or breast-feed

breastfed or breast-fed; breastfeeding or breast-feeding; breastfeeds or breast-feeds

transitive verb

: to feed (a baby) from a mother's breast

intransitive verb

1

: to breastfeed a baby

… more women are breastfeeding than ever before …

—Lauren Sandler

2

of a baby : to feed oneself by sucking milk from a mother's breast

breastfed adjective

or breast-fed

breastfed babies

breastfeeder noun

or breast-feeder

breastfeeding noun

or breast-feeding

Synonyms

• nurse
• suckle
• wet-nurse

Examples of breastfeed in a Sentence

believes that all women should breast-feed their babies

Recent Examples on the Web

The wrap style is both cute and functional, with a side tie and crossover cut that offers support and makes breastfeeding access a breeze. —Jessica Booth, Parents, 2 June 2024

Frustration with sleep deprivation, difficulties with breastfeeding and colic are expected. —Jenn Davis, Baltimore Sun, 12 May 2024

But other people may have less of a caffeine tolerance, or may be advised by a doctor to limit caffeine consumption — such as those who are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking certain medications, the FDA notes. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 12 May 2024

But the Food and Drug Administration has warned that it could get passed to infants through breastfeeding and lead to vomiting and dehydration in babies. —John Swierk, The Conversation, 22 Mar. 2024

Should this discourage breastfeeding or there are other factors in biological considerations that should be taken into account? —Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 20 May 2024

Zinc is likely safe for pregnant people, those who are breastfeeding, and children. —Cynthia Sass, Mph, Health, 19 May 2024

Folks who are more modest or will be breastfeeding in public may want to keep that in mind. —Maya Polton, Parents, 16 May 2024

However, a new study out of Washington State University found that cannabis use while breastfeeding may have some unintended consequences. —Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 10 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

breast-feed

verb

ˈbrest-ˌfēd

breast-fed

-ˌfed

; breast-feeding

: to feed a baby from a mother's breast

Medical Definition

breastfeed

verb

breast·​feed

variants or breast-feed

ˈbrest-ˌfēd

breastfed or breast-fed; breastfeeding or breast-feeding; breastfeeds or breast-feeds

transitive verb

: to feed (a baby) from a mother's breast

intransitive verb

1

: to breastfeed a baby

2

of a baby : to feed oneself by sucking milk from a mother's breast

breastfed adjective

or breast-fed

breastfed babies

breastfeeder noun

or breast-feeder

This class for first-time breastfeeders will be from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

—The Reno (Nevada) Gazette-Journal

On average, infants who were exclusive breast-feeders continued to drink more as they got older …

—The Philadelphia Inquirer

breastfeeding noun

or breast-feeding