Introduction: In Morocco, traditional newborn care practices remain deeply rooted in family

culture and may persist even in neonatal intensive care settings.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the neonatal intensive care

unit of Tangier University Hospital over a five-month period. Sixty mothers of hospitalized

newborns were surveyed using a structured questionnaire. The mean age of the newborns at

the time of data collection was 24 days.

Results: Twenty-three mothers (38.3%) reported using at least one traditional care practice.

The most frequently reported indications were colic (80%; 48/60), irritability associated with

sleep disturbances (41.7%; 25/60), and gastroesophageal reflux (13.3%; 8/60). Traditional

remedies, particularly the use of medicinal plants, were the most common practices, with

herbal infusions administered to 66.7% of newborns (40/60). Other cultural practices included

the application of henna in 25% (15/60) and kohl in 13.3% (8/60) of cases. Most mothers

reported a subjective improvement in infant comfort and overall satisfaction with these

practices. Reported adverse effects were rare and mild, with no serious complications

observed.

Conclusion: Traditional newborn care practices remain prevalent in neonatal settings. An

integrative approach based on parental education, active listening, and respect for the

sociocultural context is essential to ensure newborn safety while strengthening trust between

families and healthcare professionals.