Introduction:

When early childhood is given inadequate care, it can experience long-term damaging effects. In this sense, the cultural beliefs and practices of mothers are essential, especially when it comes to adolescents. The objective of this work was to know the beliefs and cultural practices of adolescent mothers in charge of taking care of their children under 5 years of age in a municipality of the Department of Bolívar (Colombia), during the second period of 2020.

Method:

Qualitative, phenomenological, and hermeneutical study, with 16 adolescent mothers of children under 5 years of age as key informants, to whom a semi-structured interview was applied until information saturation was reached, keeping the corresponding ethical and methodological rigor.

Results:

Beliefs about care were characterized because mothers think that it should be something integral, that it implies a lot of attention, and it helps to prevent disease. When taking care of their children, they experience feelings of affection, tenderness and gratitude to God. The teaching of the family is marked by myths, superstitions, and unfounded beliefs. The practices included breastfeeding and providing early complementary feeding. The relatives influenced the child's diet, especially mothers, grandmothers, and doctors.

Conclusion:

The cultural beliefs and practices of the adolescent mothers were shaped by favorable thoughts and feelings, with practices that favor the well-being of their children.

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