From: NICU and postpartum nurse perspectives on involving fathers in newborn care: a qualitative study
Code | Examples |
---|---|
Answer/elicit fathers’ questions (n = 4) | “The ones that are interested stand around watching what you do, and I’ll answer questions” |
“They are receiving so much information and are so stressed because the baby is in serious condition, but we encourage them to ask questions.” | |
Explain things to, inform him (n = 10) | “They kind of come hover and ask, ‘Why are you doing that?’ and ‘What’s that for?’ I’ll let them stand and watch and explain why they do that.” |
“At discharge, we bring out … extra information on postpartum depression, we go over it with them, like instructions on feeding, car seats, stuff for taking the baby home.” | |
Directly acknowledge him (n = 8) | “If you want to and are motivated to, you can make eye contact, but it requires making effort.” |
“If you get dads on the first day, acknowledge them and communicate expectations for them both, they will get involved.” | |
Demonstrate, show him how to do things (n = 5) | “If they are awake I try to talk to him to see what he knows about diapers, feeding. I’ll say, ‘Let’s try while I’m here so I can give you some pointers’.” |
“Telling them, ‘Come change this diaper’ can be off-putting. ‘Come help me change this diaper, I’ll show you what to do’ is more useful.” | |
Suggest ways he can help (n = 10) | “I feel out the situation to see what his involvement is, and I’ll say, ‘Hey, Dad, do you want to help out with the bath?” |
“That’s when we address dads directly instead of mom, like say ‘Mom’s been changing the diaper, do you want to come do it?” | |
Offer encouragement, positive feedback (n = 3) | “I’ll have dad help wash the baby… and I give him positive feedback for the first bath. Try to get them as involved as possible.” |
“You have to take their hand, and in a gentle, encouraging way get them to do things.” | |
Ask about his thoughts, feelings (n = 3) | “I try to get them to open up and discuss their feelings and stress, explain what’s happening.” |
“When you’re having a conversation with both parents say ‘Dad, what do you think?’ asking him directly instead of just letting mom answer.” | |
Tell him he needs to learn, do things (n = 4) | “I will try to get them to change diapers and I’ll say, ‘This is your baby, this baby is not coming home with me.’” |
“If it’s something really important, especially outpatient, I might say, ‘Hey dad, you really need to pay attention to this.’” |