The objective of this qualitative study was to find out how mothers learn about caregiving to sons interned in pediatric intensive care units. It was carried out at a private hospital in the Southeast of Brazil. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The results showed that the mother learns by observing the health professionals and through activities undertaken by the multiprofessional team. The mother learns to coexist and to share limited spaces; the periods to attend the son; and experiences of others about how to take care. The interaction educates the mother and the multidisciplinary team when they share beliefs ingrained in the daily activities.

Keywords : learning; hospitalization; family.