Purpose: To describe the significance of care of premature babies at home for mothers, from their cultural context. Design: qualitative ethnographic study based on Madeleine Leininger's theory. Sample: Information obtained from observation and 23 interviews mothers at home was collected and analyzed in accordance the interview and James Spradley ethnographic analysis. Participants: eight mothers of premature newborns attending control at the Integral Kangaroo Mother Program (Programa Madre Canguro Integral), Hospital Universitario San Ignacio, between November 2007 and May 2008. Results: Two subjects arise: premature newborn care and the way adaptation. Direct care premature newborns at home means for the mother kangaroo, massage, protect from cold and feed the baby, maintain hygiene, maintain protection of the environment, provide love, provide supplementary oxygen the if required and know baby's signs. The way maternal adaptation has a purpose for mothers: to raise the baby. They express how difficult nights are, they express their feelings and finally, they describe maternal adaptation such as getting used it. Conclusion: The image ofmothers care ofprema-ture newborns is universal: it means taking good care of the baby and paying attention; on the other hand, the connotation of care is diverse as each mother catalogues it from her own perception as extreme, basic, essential and special care. Mothers also showed beliefs, values, traditions and myths.