Resumo (EN)
This review of the literature aimed reporting the importance of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of life for the promotion of the health of mother and baby. Was performed bibliographic survey through databases of Bireme, Lilacs, Scielo and Medline websites from the last 19 years. It was found that breastfeeding is very important for the health of mother and baby, many are the causes that lead to the abandonment of breastfeeding, including the lack of information from mothers about the importance of breastfeeding, socioeconomic factors, demographics among others. Thus, the study showed that weaning is still a negative reality highlighted by the literature and, therefore, leads to the need to intensify governmental actions to encourage breastfeeding promotion in order to better clarify the importance of breastfeeding.