The factors that do or don't support the permanence of accompanying mothers in a pediatric unit were evaluated. Six interviews were held with the mothers and analyzed according to the themes. The factors that support the accompanying mother are: count on presence of other family members (mainly the child's father), the possibility of free meals at the hospital; trust the hospital team and being heeded by this team. The factors that don't support the mother are: child's illness; worry about other responsibilities (other children and house chores) impossibility to sleep and rest; lack of attention from the hospital team and the impossibility to receive visits.