Abstract: Objective: To study the barriers of implementing WHO Ten Steps to promote the success of breastfeeding in baby-friendly hospitals, so as to provide reference for improving the efficiency of breastfeeding support. Methods: A total of 22 nurses from four Baby-Friendly Hospitals were interviewed in depth, and the data were analyzed by phenomenological analysis. Results: In hospital, execution Ten Steps was faced with obstacles from nurses (knowledge and ability deficiency, insufficient belief in supporting exclusive breastfeeding and concerns about obstetric safety); obstacles from hospitals (hospital system defects, personnel and time constraints, insufficient training and inconsistent professional opinions); obstacles from maternal and their families and social (poor maternal breastfeeding knowledge and attitude, poor family support, and unfriendly social environment). Conclusion: We call for to create a friendly environment for breastfeeding, and it needs the collaboration of nurses, hospitals, mothers, families and society, so as to minimize the barriers to the implementation of Ten Step and improve the efficiency of breast-feeding support in clinical practice.

Key words: Baby-Friendly Hospital; breastfeeding; nurse; qualitative research