Remember that when there is an ASSOCIATION between two things (as in the Arch Fam Med article quoted), it does not mean there is a cause and effect. Although it would make sense that if there is a difference in breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women, the breastfeeding women would be less likely to abuse their children..... there is probably no way to PROVE that it is the breastfeeding that made the difference. You can't randomly assign women to breastfeed or not breastfeed and have all other relevant variables the same. Lucy Towbin, MSW, IBCLC