Objective: To understand the practices of family-centered care (FCC) in the newly born hospitalized care that have been incorporated by nurses.Methods: A descriptive study of qualitative approach, developed in the Intermediate Care Unit and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of a public hospital in Belo Horizonte.Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews with 14 nurses, and the data were subjected to content analysis.Results: Three topics were originated: nurses' understanding about practices that contribute to a care guided by the FCC; FCC practices: benefits for staff of nurses and Family indicate the child's well-being and the kangaroo mother care; Difficulties in understanding of the targeted care practices by FCC. Conclusion:The applicability of the FCC is wrongly understood, and portrays the unpreparedness of professionals to deal with the family as co-responsible in the healthcare process of hospitalized children disease.