breastfeed
verb
breast·feed
ˈbrest-ˌfēd 
variants
or breast-feed
breastfed or breast-fed; breastfeeding or breast-feeding; breastfeeds or breast-feeds
: to feed (a baby) from a mother's breast
1
: to breastfeed a baby
… more women are breastfeeding than ever before …—
Lauren Sandler
Lauren Sandler2
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
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also avoid concentrated spearmint products as there is a lack of research on the effects of taking high doses during these times.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 19 Jan. 2025
But becoming pregnant, especially before age 30, and breastfeeding both have a long-term protective effect against breast cancer later in life — an effect thought to result in part from how these conditions change breast cells, Dr. Partridge said.
—Nina Agrawal, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Moms have it the hardest with breastfeeding, sleepless nights and the potential prospect of postpartum depression among key considerations.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Although generally considered safe with pregnancy and breastfeeding, little is known about the effects of magnesium during these life stages.23
Summary
Magnesium glycinate and magnesium L-threonate are two forms of magnesium supplements.
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025
Abeer also received micronutrient supplements for her pregnancy and attended breastfeeding awareness sessions.
—Unicef Usa, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Thai health authorities at the time had hoped to end marketing for all formula products as part of their efforts to increase the country’s breastfeeding rate, which was among the lowest in the world.
—Heather Vogell, ProPublica, 24 Dec. 2024
Pump Act Violations: The lawsuit claims instances where Lively’s privacy was invaded while breastfeeding or pumping milk.
—Tom Spiggle, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Because limited research exists on the effects of C. asiatica on pregnancy and lactation, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid it.
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 19 Dec. 2024
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.
Jillian Kubala, Health, 19 Jan. 2025
But becoming pregnant, especially before age 30, and breastfeeding both have a long-term protective effect against breast cancer later in life — an effect thought to result in part from how these conditions change breast cells, Dr. Partridge said.
—Nina Agrawal, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
Moms have it the hardest with breastfeeding, sleepless nights and the potential prospect of postpartum depression among key considerations.
—John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Although generally considered safe with pregnancy and breastfeeding, little is known about the effects of magnesium during these life stages.23
Summary
Magnesium glycinate and magnesium L-threonate are two forms of magnesium supplements.
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2025
Abeer also received micronutrient supplements for her pregnancy and attended breastfeeding awareness sessions.
—Unicef Usa, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Thai health authorities at the time had hoped to end marketing for all formula products as part of their efforts to increase the country’s breastfeeding rate, which was among the lowest in the world.
—Heather Vogell, ProPublica, 24 Dec. 2024
Pump Act Violations: The lawsuit claims instances where Lively’s privacy was invaded while breastfeeding or pumping milk.
—Tom Spiggle, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Because limited research exists on the effects of C. asiatica on pregnancy and lactation, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid it.
—Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 19 Dec. 2024
Articles Related to breastfeed
Dictionary Entries Near breastfeed
Cite this Entry
“Breastfeed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breastfeed. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
breastfeed
verb
breast·feed
variants
or breast-feed
ˈbrest-ˌfēd
breastfed or breast-fed; breastfeeding or breast-feeding; breastfeeds or breast-feeds
: to feed (a baby) from a mother's breast
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
The Reno (Nevada) Gazette-Journal
On average, infants who were exclusive breast-feeders continued to drink more as they got older …
—The Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer
breastfeeding
noun
or breast-feeding
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share