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 of breastfeed

• nurse
• suckle

Examples of breastfeed in a Sentence

believes that all women should breast-feed their babies

Recent Examples on the Web

Her students respond with maturity and respect, helping to normalize breastfeeding in everyday life. —Melissa Willets, Parents, 22 Nov. 2025

This is the caution of researchers from the University of Texas at Austin, who conducted a randomized clinical trial on 24 breastfeeding local families, in which participants followed a prescribed diet for 25 days. —Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

The child, who was breastfeeding, had started choking and then stopped breathing, the report said. —CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025

However, a lack of proper nourishment and mental exhaustion made breastfeeding an impossible task. —Zaya Rustamova, The Conversation, 19 Nov. 2025

Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals require about 1,200 milligrams for their health and their child's development. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 17 Nov. 2025

Prevents nutrient loss from overheating, a top concern for breastfeeding parents. —Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

After giving birth to her second child in April, the 32-year-old was determined to continue breastfeeding her son — a choice that was both personally important and financially necessary for her family. —Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025

For example, intermittent fasting is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women, young children, Type 1 diabetics, folks with a history of eating disorders, etc. —Bryant Stamford, Louisville Courier Journal, 6 Nov. 2025

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