Práticas populares no cuidado infantil: percepção das mães

Objective to describe the perception of mothers about the use of popular child care practices in the home.Methods qualitative research, performed with ten mothers of children up to two years old. Data were collected through interviews in a primary health care unit, which were recorded and submitted to content analysis.Results three categories emerged from the analysis of the discourse: 1) Family roles in child care; 2) Popular practices as a family culture in child care; and 3) The belief in healing spells as a resource in popular practice.Conclusion the use of popular practices remains strong in the social and cultural context of families, and is especially influenced by grandmothers. Thus, there is a need for instrumentation of the health team for the good use of these practices in favor of the promotion of child health and recognition of nursing in its professional practice.