Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is prevalent among recent mothers and negatively impacts their physical and emotional health. Furthermore, the negative influence of IPV on parenting capacity and children’s development is well described. However, it is unclear whether there is any relationship between IPV and method of infant feeding. Little is known about how women who are subjected to IPV make decisions about infant feeding or whether living in this context impacts on their experience of breastfeeding. With what is known about the importance of breastfeeding, particularly for vulnerable populations, research is essential to inform clinical practice and to develop appropriate community support strategies.