Table 3 Nursing interview analysis theme 2 and subthemes: nurses perceptions of parents

  Parental role

“Very important in caring the baby and help the baby’s condition become better” (N12)

“If they know how to take care of the baby, it would be very helpful for the nurses” (N7)

“The role of the parents is very important here. I noticed that the babies who received loving care from their parents would recover sooner than the babies who their parents less concerned with” (N9) “Parents should pay attention to their babies condition more to inform the nurses, it helps to reduce the workload” (N11)

“The role of parents is very important. We need the presence of parents in time and support nurses in the care of their babies” (N2)

“Parents should join their hands with nurses to take care of the babies” (N12)

  Parental ward activities & responsibilities

“We guide the parents to keep the environment clean” (N5)

“The more important thing is that they should keep general hygiene in the patients room” (N1)

“Parents should…join sanitation activities around them because it will be to babies’ benefit” (N4)

  Parental participation in baby cares

“They can take care of the baby, kangaroo care, breast feed. The babies who are with parents more will get better sooner” (N8)

“We just need the parents change diapers and make their babies feel more comfortable” (N14)

“Their [parents] duty is to make the babies feel more comfortable” (N2)