The objective of the present study was to investigate the perception of the team of health regarding pain in newborn infants admitted in the neonatal intensive and semi-intensive care units of a University Hospital. Methods: a qualitative research where 33 professionals of health participated providing direct assistance to newborns in the neonatal intensive and semi-intensive care units of a University Hospital in Maringá-PR, from March to May 2005. Results: the results were analyzed in agreement with the categories: appraising pain; recognizing pain; intervening and preventing pain. Conclusion: the professionals who took part on the research believe that the newborn infant feels pain. However, they find difficulties in its management. For that it is necessary deeper discussions on the theme, more involvement, better qualification and training with strategies to minimize pain in newborn babies.