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22-10-2021 | Child Maltreatment | Original Article

Breastfeeding Duration and Reported Child Maltreatment in a Population-based Alaskan Birth Cohort

Authors: Helena J. Hutchins, Kim G. Harley, Jordyn T. Wallenborn, Barbara Abrams, Rebecca Reno, Jared W. Parrish

Published in: Journal of Family Violence | Issue 7/2022

Abstract

Research suggests that breastfeeding may reduce child maltreatment risk. Alaska has high rates of both breastfeeding initiation and maltreatment reports to Child Protective Services (CPS). The present study assessed any and exclusive breastfeeding duration and child maltreatment reports to CPS among Alaskan mother-infant dyads, controlling for demographics and shared risk factors. We used a prospective, population-representative dataset linking 2009–2011 Alaska Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data with 2009–2016 Alaska CPS and administrative state data (n = 3,459). Breastfeeding duration was derived from PRAMS breastfeeding questions and categorized as never, < 1 weeks, 1—9 weeks, and ≥ 10 weeks. Age at first report of maltreatment to Alaska CPS included physical or sexual abuse, neglect, or mental injury. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models, adjusting for confounders. There was no increase in risk of maltreatment report among children never breastfed compared to those breastfed for ≥ 10 weeks. Risk of maltreatment report during the observation period was 1.7 times as high among children breastfed for < 1 week (CI: 1.06, 2.73), and 1.5 times as high among those breastfed for 1–9 weeks (CI: 1.17, 1.80), compared to those breastfed for ≥ 10 weeks. Estimates were attenuated for exclusive breastfeeding. Feeding method did not predict maltreatment reports in this population. Among mothers who initiated breastfeeding, shorter duration was associated with elevated risk of maltreatment reports. Addressing factors that facilitate or prohibit sustained breastfeeding may reduce risk of child maltreatment reports.

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Title: Breastfeeding Duration and Reported Child Maltreatment in a Population-based Alaskan Birth Cohort
Authors: Helena J. Hutchins
Kim G. Harley
Jordyn T. Wallenborn
Barbara Abrams
Rebecca Reno
Jared W. Parrish
Publication date: 22-10-2021
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Child Maltreatment
Child Maltreatment
Published in: Journal of Family Violence / Issue 7/2022
Print ISSN: 0885-7482
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2851
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-021-00327-9

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Breastfeeding Duration and Reported Child Maltreatment in a Population-based Alaskan Birth Cohort

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