Background: The initial management in respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases is usually provided at home by parents, these practices are influenced by multiple social and cultural, that in view of their variability it is important to identify and determine which one can be harmful. Methodology: Qualitative and narrative study developed at the Roosevelt Institute, in Bogotá – Colombia, through 12 interviews to caregivers of hospitalized, between 12 months and 5 years old, who present respiratory or gastrointestinal symptomatology in an acute way. We ask about the initial management of these symptoms and the experience of sharing practices with the health personnel. Results: The group interviewed included caregivers between 20 to 42 years old, with different levels of schooling, with variety of practices for management of fever, cough, vomiting and diarrhea. Respect to the communication, most of the caregivers said that doctor don’t provide a space to speak of the subject and when they did the rejection has taken place. Conclusions: We find practices that coincide with the medical position, which must be reinforced, others that are risky definitely, that must be corrected, and other innocuous ones that could be reconciled. It is necessary to integrate and validate the caregiver's narrative to reduce dangerous practices.