In lesbian partnerships, mutual breastfeeding has been regarded as a familiar expression of affection and tenderness. Erotic Lactation between partners or an Adult Nursing Relationship (ANR) may develop from natural breastfeeding of a baby. This can be done by regularly sucking on the nipples (several times a day), massaging and squeezing the female breasts, or with additional help from temporary use of milk-inducing drugs, such as the dopamine antagonist Domperidone. Erotic lactation can sometimes be linked to this fetish because sucking for breast milk is something that babies do. ANRs have also been employed in cases where a mother may desire to breastfeed her child, but has to find an alternative to inducing lactation.

The ethologist Irenäus Eibl-Eibesfeldt documented several cultures with "kiss feeding" practice and assumes an evolution from caring for nutrition to erogenous zone. Some women experience sensual pleasure from using a breast pump to extract milk from their breasts or from expressing milk manually—with or without a partner. Watching someone breastfeed an infant or engaging in adult breastfeeding are some of the most common ways people satisfy their interest in erotic lactation. In 1903, German philosopher Carl Buttenstedt published his marriage guidebook " Die Glücksehe – Die Offenbarung im Weibe, eine Naturstudie" ( The Marriage of Happiness – The Revelation in the Woman, a study from nature), in which he described and recommended the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) as a form of contraception and natural family planning that also deepens the relationship between wife and husband.

This can be done by regularly sucking on the nipples (several times a day), massaging and squeezing the female breasts or with additional help from temporary use of milk-inducing drugs, such as the Dopamine antagonist Domperidone. Drawing on a statement of David Halperin, she continues "since queer is a positionality rather than an identity in the humanist sense, it is not restricted to gays and lesbians but can be taken up by anyone who feels marginalised as a result of their sexual practices. Since the European Middle Ages, a multitude of subliminally erotic, visionary experiences of saints have been passed on in which breastfeeding plays a major role.

Supported in part by a grant from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Department of Health and Human Services. In its Sunday issue of March 13, 2005, the London daily The Times gave a report of a scientific survey (composed of 1690 British men) revealing that in 25 to 33% of all couples, the male partner had suckled his wife's breasts.Alternatively, breastfeeding can be used as a surrogate pleasure reward (or surrogate pleasure) for (male or female) submissive partners who have done exactly as they have been told by the dominant partner. Other theories include that by chance breasts act as a cushion for infant heads, are a signal of fertility, or elevate the head in breastfeeding to prevent suffocation. He explicitly described erotic lactation as a source of great sexual pleasure for both partners, claiming that this is intended by nature especially on the part of the woman. The same latter source states at least eight conditions that should apply before that child is considered a son/daughter of the feeding woman.