>I have been intrigued (and made not a little uncomfortable) by the idea of >"mothers who have a relationship with a breast pump." ...> >Infant feeding can be likened to conceiving babies. The biological norm is >to have sexual intercourse, a pleasurable, deeply personal and intimate >experience. Some couples, fortunately few in number, need to take advantage >of the wonders of modern technology - in vitrio fertilization, for example,- I've thought of this, too; however... Artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization are usually used in ADDITION to intercourse--kind of like using an SNS if one's milk supply is low or non-existent. When intercourse doesn't produce pregnancies, it's usually continued anyway, to make the couple feel close, feel good, etc. I wonder how many couples choose artificial insemination INSTEAD of ever having intercourse. I'm guessing not many! I am sure there are married couples who choose not to have sexual intercourse even when there is no physical reason to avoid intercourse (including young couples) and I puzzle about that sometimes when I'm talking to a mom who has chosen not to breastfeed. Arly [log in to unmask] (Arly Helm, MS, CLE, IBCLC)