This is a study performed through a practical nursing attendance work carried out with families having a newborn, and performing the nursing process. The families in the study belong to a low social class, being born and residing in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. The relation between the families of origin and the couple (parents), as well as the influence exerted by such relation upon ways of dealing with the newborn, have been verified. The conlusion that has been drawn is that, among the families studied, a close relationship exists between the young couple and the original family, mutual help among the women exists even in caring for the baby. This whole picture will result in a family administered care which often differs from the care given by health professionals