Prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding until the age of six months and maternal characteristics associated, in coverage area of a Family Health Unit in the Municipality of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, 2010

Objective: to verify prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding until the age of six months, associated maternal characteristics and reasons for early weaning. Methods: cross-sectional study performed in a Family Health unit, in the municipality of Pelotas, state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from September to December of 2010, through home interview with mothers of children ranging from six months to two years, enrolled in the childcare program. Results: from 173 enrolled children, 95 mothers were interviewed; the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding until the age of six months was 33.7%; after adjusted analysis, no variable remained associated with the outcome; the most frequent reported reasons for an early weaning were reduction on milk production and child rejection to nurse. Conclusion: until sixth month, exclusive breastfeeding was little practiced among the interviewed mothers; almost half of the children (45.0%) were not found, which limits the study's results, although the found prevalence was similar to other studies.