The objectives of this study are: to describe the different types of incubators that existed through the first half of the 20th century and to list the kinds of nursing care given to premature babies concerning the use of incubators. It is a historical study. The primary sources are two articles that are found in the National Library, and three articles that were published in the Brazilian Nursing Review in the 1940s and in the 1950s; and the secondary sources are books and articles of national and international periodicals on themes related to pediatric and neonatology history. The types of incubators were closed, semi-closed and open. As far as the nursing care is concerned, one noticies two moments: the immediate care, relating to the first care given to the newborn in the delivery room and its transportation to the nursery, preferably in an incubator, and the intermediate cares, relating to the care given in the nursery. We conclude that it has influenced directly the care given to the premature babies since it requires a more specific assistance.
Neonatal nursing; Incubator-history; Infant,premature