Dear Lactnetters:
I'm am writing to ask for your input and suggestions.  I will speaking at the
Massachusetts LLL area conference in March on "breastfeeding and the sexual
abuse survivor."  I've been a researcher in the field of child maltreatment
for almost 15 years and even did my dissertation research on child sexual
abuse.  After making contacts with my colleagues in the maltreatment field
and even chairing a session on "the effects of sexual abuse on later
parenting" at the International Family Violence Research Conference this past
summer, I can tell you that there is no research that examines the link
between sexual abuse and breastfeeding.

I plan to present research on long-term effects of sexual abuse, effects of
sexual abuse on pregnancy and birth, effects of sexual abuse on subsequent
parenting.  The piece I don't have is how past sexual abuse affects
breastfeeding.  Specifically, how has this experience influenced the decision
to breastfeed?  What were some of the issues and concerns that women
encountered?  what were the suggestions that you offered that helped (or did
not help)?  Of course, anything you share with me will be completely
confidential.  You can e-mail directly if you'd rather ([log in to unmask]).

Thanks for your help.  I'll keep you posted on what I find out.

Sincerely,
Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D. & LLLL
Perinatal Education Group, Henniker New Hampshire
Family Research Lab, U of New Hampshire