breastfeed

verb

breast·​feed ˈbrest-ˌfēd How to pronounce breastfeed (audio)
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

Examples of breastfeed in a Sentence

believes that all women should breast-feed their babies
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Though rare, there is an elevated risk for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding to experience biotin deficiency. Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024 The duo have long been open about their parenthood journeys, from annual birthday wishes on Instagram and posting about their first Easter as a family of six this year, to Ciara even documenting Wilson giving her a hand with breastfeeding. Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 28 Oct. 2024 And people who are pregnant or breastfeeding may need up to 400 and 360 mg per day, respectively. Caroline Tien, SELF, 3 Oct. 2024 People who are pregnant or breastfeeding and people with medical conditions like bipolar disorder, epilepsy, and kidney problems should consult a healthcare provider before taking taurine supplements. Jillian Kubala, Rd, Health, 5 Nov. 2024 Neither supplement is likely safe for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024 While rationing was similar to national sugar guidelines, post-rationing sugar consumption was closer to modern American children's diets, the scientists wrote, as children are exposed to high levels of sugar in the womb, through breastfeeding or formula milk, and in baby food. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024 Not that breastfeeding is easy, as Jing discovers to her frustration. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Oct. 2024 Mercury content is also something to be wary of, especially for pregnant or breastfeeding women, as high levels of mercury can be harmful to developing nervous systems. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 8 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of breastfeed was in 1869

Dictionary Entries Near breastfeed

Cite this Entry

“Breastfeed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breastfeed. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on breastfeed

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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