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

Examples of breastfeed in a Sentence

believes that all women should breast-feed their babies

Recent Examples on the Web

Medical professionals, including naturopaths, recommend breastfeeding a baby during their first six months of life for optimal nutrition, or using formula almost exclusively. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025

The day after Hank’s admission, Kay and her husband, Ross, explained to George about the baby’s difficulty with breastfeeding, his inexplicable pain and his inability to tolerate formula. —Jessica Lussenhop, ProPublica, 30 June 2025

On top of that, the poster's mother-in-law and sister-in-laws have been guilt-tripping her about her breastfeeding choices. —Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 28 June 2025

Clove products in general should be kept away from children, as well as those who are taking blood thinners or have bleeding disorders, are getting surgery or are pregnant or breastfeeding. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 13 June 2025

Unlike other acids and hydroquinone, tranexamic acid is suitable for all skin types, people who are pregnancy and/or breastfeeding, and pairs well with other brightening ingredients like retinoids and vitamin C. —Sarah Han, Allure, 12 June 2025

The shrinking rations have led to rising cases of malnutrition among children under 5 and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. —Arkansas Online, 22 June 2025

My favorite section, hidden to the right — handscrolls can only be viewed one section at a time — illustrates a breastfeeding woman in the audience. —Lori Waxman, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025

However, there is not enough research to determine if larger quantities are unsafe while breastfeeding. —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 16 June 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