哺乳 (bǔrǔ) literally combines 哺 (to feed, especially with milk) and 乳 (milk or breast), forming a compound meaning 'to breastfeed' as a verb or 'lactation' as a noun. It refers specifically to the biological process by which a mother feeds her infant (human or mammal) with milk from her mammary glands. Unlike more colloquial terms like 喂奶 (wèi nǎi), 哺乳 is formal, scientific, and commonly used in medical, biological, and public health contexts.

The word applies broadly across species — doctors discuss human 哺乳 practices, while veterinarians refer to 哺乳 animals (mammals) or 哺乳期 (the lactation period). It emphasizes the physiological act and its duration, not just the feeding event. In Chinese, it’s often paired with words like 期 (period), 指南 (guidelines), or 支持 (support), reflecting its role in health policy and clinical care.