Purpose: This study aims to synthesize evidence on health literacy assessment in parental educational practices of parents/caregivers of newborns from 0 to 13 months old. Design/methodology/approach: A scoping review. We synthesized qualitative and quantitative research according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Database selection was based on specific content coverage of peer-reviewed articles in the biomedical and life sciences (PubMed) and health sciences and education (Scopus). We included articles complete original articles in English and/or Portuguese from peer-reviewed indexed journals whose reporting of evidence was in line with the objectives of this study: studies with parents and caregivers of newborns from 0 to 13 months old. Two independent reviewers extracted data and inconsistencies were resolved in a discussion between them and the third reviewer. Findings: A total of 345 articles were recruited, and 342 were excluded. The most studied age group was 2 months old. Regarding geographic location, most studies were carried out in the USA. All articles were published after the year 2010 and carried out only with fathers and mothers, excluding other caregivers (e.g. relatives and professionals). Research limitations/implications: Only one instrument is focused on health literacy in parental educational practices. Originality/value: We observe that this is a little-researched theme. All caregivers of young children face important barriers to understanding and implementing basic child health tasks (e.g. providing adequate nutrition, safety and medication).