Abstract
Background: The Little Baby Handbook (LBH) includes information on the growth/development of lowbirth- weight infants (LBWIs), raising these infants, administrative policies and subsidies for maternal and child health, and messages to mothers/families of LBWIs. In the present study, a focus group interview with the users of the LBH was conducted to examine its usefulness. Methods: A qualitative design with an inductive approach. The subjects were four mothers and a couple with very low-birth-weight infants whose birth weight was less than 1,500 g. Results: The mean birth weight of the infants was 800.6 ± 205.8 g and they were 26.6 ± 2.4 weeks old. Two of the infants were attending a center for children with special needs, and three were undergoing rehabilitation. Mothers of LBWIs used the LBH as a mental support for raising their children, and evaluated it as a useful tool to assess their development and sources of health/medical care information and peer support. The mothers experienced a sense of pleasure from making records of the growth and development of their children, and acquired prospects of their development through messages from mothers with similar experiences. Mothers of LBWIs hoped for the promotion of the LBH as a public tool for information sharing among the families of LBWIs and many different health care professionals. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that the LBH empowers the mothers of LBWIs to change their negative feelings and behaviors to positive ones.
Highlights
The global number of children weighing less than 2,500 g at birth is 15 million, accounting for 15-20% of all births [1]
Mothers of lowbirth-weight infants (LBWIs) hoped for the promotion of the Little Baby Handbook (LBH) as a public tool for information sharing among the families of LBWIs and many different health care professionals
The present study focused on the parenting record handbook (LBH) as a source of support that provides mental health care for and empowers mothers with LBW infants, and examined its benefits through a focus group interview with parents using it
Summary
The global number of children weighing less than 2,500 g at birth is 15 million, accounting for 15-20% of all births [1]. The preterm birth rate has continuously increased over the past 20 years, and it remains increasing. The mortality rate among ELBW infants has markedly decreased since the late 1970s in Japan. The neonatal mortality rate among ELBW infants weighing more than 1,000 g at birth decreased from 20.7% in 1980 to 3.8% in 2000. Among those weighing more than 500 g at birth, it decreased from 55.3 to 15.2%, respectively [4,5]. Survival without sequelae is not achieved in all preterm (lowbirth-weight, LBW) infants, and many of them need continuation of medical care after coming through critical conditions [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Nursing & Clinical Practices
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
