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.
In its pages, Crumpler offered practical advice on breastfeeding, teething and preventing deadly diseases like cholera infantum. Ella Jeffries, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Mar. 2025 Families will learn more about bike and helmet safety, child passenger safety, stranger danger, pediatric dental care, fire safety, pet safety, medication safety, the Franciscan Health Prenatal Assistance Program, safe sleeping, breastfeeding, water safety and more, the release said. Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025 The class covers what to expect when initiating breastfeeding, skin-to-skin holding, positioning, deep latch techniques, pumps and pumping, and basic troubleshooting. — A Ready for Baby newborn care class takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2025 Because the beauty of breastfeeding is just so good for the baby. Kayla Grant, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Among people practicing traditional Dogon religion, contraception is uncommon and women are pregnant or breastfeeding much of the time. Byandrew Curry, science.org, 6 Mar. 2025 Melatonin is not recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from depression. Elizabeth Barnes, Verywell Health, 19 Mar. 2025 Children and pregnant or breastfeeding people should avoid NAD+ supplements, as there are not enough safety studies done in humans. Emmanuella Ogbonna, Health, 11 Mar. 2025 Fathers' work leave and infant breastfeeding in a state-representative sample of fathers in Georgia, United States. David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1869, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of breastfeed was in 1869

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breastfeed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breastfeed. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025.

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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