O cuidado da criança prematura no domicílio

Objectives: To characterize and describe home care to the premature baby provided by mothers or other caretakers. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was used. Seven caretakers were interviewed in their homes. The data were collected through semi-structured interview and analyzed using content analysis. Results: The emerged categories were: caring for the premature baby at home; living and interacting with the premature baby; and, the importance of social support in caring for the premature baby. Conclusions: The mothers, as caretakers, provided proper care to the premature baby, expressed concerns regarding the baby’s development and growth, and voiced the need of support to deliver proper care.