RESUMO: O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a prevalência de aleitamento materno exclusivo entre profissionais de saúde em hospital credenciado como Amigo da Criança e as variáveis de risco para a não adesão ao aleitamento materno exclusivo. Estudo transversal realizado entre janeiro e junho de 2014, com
EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING PRACTICES AMONG HEALTH PROFESSIONALS OF A BABY FRIENDLY ACCREDITED HOSPITALABSTRACT: The present study aimed to identify the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding among health professionals of a baby friendly accredited hospital and the risk variables for non-adherence to exclusive breastfeeding. Cross-sectional study carried out between January and June 2014, with 53 health professionals who had babies at the time they were working at a hospital in the state of Maranhão. Data was collected with the use of a structured questionnaire. Of these, 15 (2.83%) sustained exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of their infants' lives. Breastfeeding was facilitated by the following factors: rooming-in facilities (n = 45/84.9%), support to breastfeeding provided by health professionals, friends or relatives (n = 43/81.1%). In turn, breastfeeding was complicated by the following factors: nipple trauma (n = 22/41.5%), pain (n = 20/37.7%), mastitis (n = 11/20.7%), formula milk, babies were given water (n = six /11.3%) and teas (n = four/7.5%). The fact that the lactating women performed their activities at a Baby Friendly Accredited Hospital did not have a positive influence on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding. DESCRIPTORS: Breastfeeding; prevalence; Health staff; Cross-sectional studies; Hospitals. El objetivo del estudio fue identificar la prevalencia de lactancia materna exclusiva entre profesionales de salud en hospital caracterizado como Amigo del Niño, y variables de riesgo de no adhesión a la lactancia materna exclusiva. Estudio transversal realizado entre enero y junio de 2014, con 53 profesionales de salud que tuvieron hijos mientras trabajaban en hospital del interior de Maranhão. Datos recolectados mediante instrumento estructurado. Practicaron lactancia materna exclusiva, hasta el sexto mes, 15 (28,3%) profesionales. Facilitaron la lactancia el alojamiento conjunto (n=45/ 84,9%), apoyo para amamantar de profesionales de salud, amigos o familiares (n=43/ 81,1%). Dificultaron la lactancia materna fisuras del pezón (n=22/ 41,5%), dolor (n=20/ 37,7%), mastitis (n=11/ 20,7%), ingesta de leches industrializadas (n=9 /17%), agua (n=6/ 11,3%) y tés (n=4/ 7,5%). El hecho de tratarse de profesionales trabajadoras en hospital "Amigo del Niño" no influyó positivamente en el tiempo de lactancia materna exclusiva.