Yes, there are women who are physically and emotionally abusive, but by far the male partner/husband (usually taller and stronger) is most often the perpetrator. And while we're on the topic of breast feeding, many mothers are lacking in support for bf because daddy doesn't want anybody messing with "his" boobs, even though it is his little bundle of joy who is going to be doing it. I've seen more than my share of these situations in 20 years of practice....V. Nichols-Johnson, MD