Introduction:

Breast milk has been regarded as the ideal food to be administered exclusively in infants up to 6 months and its consumption has been associated with the reduction of children morbidity and mortality.

Objective:

To determine the strengths and weaknesses that affect the implementation of exclusive breastfeeding in indigenous mothers.

Methods:

A descriptive study was carried out in 171 mothers belonging to the province of Chimborazo, whom underwent a questionnaire that allowed collecting information related to their general characteristics, as well as the strengths and weaknesses that influenced the implementation of exclusive breastfeeding.

Results:

The average age of the mothers was 27 years; married patients predominated (54.38%), with primary education level completed (46.78 %) and with one child (39.19 %); 54.38% of the mothers correctly applied exclusive breastfeeding. The strength of greater significance presented was that related to the best growth of children (88.17 %) and the most referred weakness was the lack of rest of the mother (24.36 %).

Conclusions:

There are low levels of exclusive breastfeeding motivated by weaknesses such as a lack of rest of the mother, pain in the nipples to breastfeeding and the lack of information on exclusive breastfeeding. The strengths for its use primarily include the best growth and development of children and the prevention of diseases and malnutrition.

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