Maternity Nurses' Knowledge and Practice of Breastfeeding in Mississippi.

Background: Mississippi has the lowest rates of breastfeeding of all states at 6 months and at 1 year. Registered nurses working in the maternity setting can be influential in mothers' decision to breastfeed.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine registered nurses' knowledge and practice related to breastfeeding; and to identify facilitators and barriers to implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in Mississippi hospitals.

Breastfeeding Practices and Barriers to Implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding in Mississippi Hospitals.

Background: Mississippi has the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the United States at 6 and 12 months. There is growing evidence that the rates and duration of infant breastfeeding improve after hospitals implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding; moreover, the Ten Steps approach is considered the standard model for evaluation of breastfeeding practices in birthplaces. Research aim: This study aimed to examine the implementation level of the Ten Steps and identify barriers to implementing the Ten Steps in Mississippi hospitals.