Do nurses help or hinder mothers who breastfeed?

A 5-week programme of breastfeeding inservice education, included classes on a repeated series of three topics, a film, provision of reading material, tests and the availability of a nurse-clinician for consultation and assistance. The study was carried out in a 50-bed maternity unit. Participation was voluntary. Of the 112 registered nurses and 42 practical nurses, between one-third and one-half participated in one or more of the various aspects. Follow-up tests revealed considerable disagreement among the staff on knowledge and nursing interventions related to breastfeeding.