OBJECTIVE: To identify, in the family, the daily changes unleashed by experiencing a chronic disease on infants. METHODS: Is a qualitative research, descriptive and exploratory. The field work was conducted in a teaching hospital in the State of Paraiba, the research was performed on six companions of children hospitalized for chronic illness. Data were collected through a semi-structured interview and analyzed using the principles of thematic analysis. RESULTS: The most significant changes experienced by families include financial difficulties to meet the new demands of the child, and the access to health services. In the home environment were found feelings of fear, doubt and insecurity. CONCLUSION: We highlight that families showed interest in being included in the care and in talking about their feelings; stressing the importance of a sensitive listening. One of the ways to rebuild humanizing health practices is to establish linkages and the construction of alliances.
Child, hospitalized; Chronic disease; Pediatric nursing; Family