Fifty maternal-newborn nurses and 136 breastfeeding mothers participated in a prospective study designed to identify characteristics of nurses and external factors that influence nurses' ability to provide effective informational, technical, and emotional support to breastfeeding mothers and their infants. Ajzen and Fishbein's theory of reasoned action guided the study. Using questionnaire data, multiple regression analyses revealed that the nurses' supportive behavior was best predicted by their breastfeeding knowledge and attitudes. The nurses' intentions to provide support did not influence their actual behavior. Breastfeeding knowledge deficits also were identified. Because breastfeeding knowledge is predictive of nurses' supportive behavior, that knowledge must be accurate and complete to promote breastfeeding success and be considered helpful by the mother.

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The family management style of lactation, which can be easily ascertained by interviewing families, may be a useful tool in planning appropriate interventions to promote lactation success.