Table 4 Summary of the main findings from case-studies at three consecutive points following discharge

Adjustment to Life at Home

• Relief associated with returning home

• Under-confidence in skills

• Adequate knowledge for provision of care

• Provision of good quality of care to babies

• Isolation in the home

• Some external support from family members

• Increased confidence in care provided

• Reduced feeling of isolation in the home

• Household activities commenced

• Reduction in external support from family members

• Well-settled in the home

• Confidence in skills

• Contentment and pride

• Generally, activities being undertaken outside the home

Kangaroo care

• Continuing in the home

• Reduction in time devoted compared to on NNU

• Lack of knowledge regarding appropriate frequency

• Further reduction in time devoted to it

• Feeling it was no longer necessary

• Virtually ceased

• Viewed it was no longer necessary

• Fear that it might harm baby

Feeding

• Spoon-feeding expressed milk

• Inadequate preparation for breastfeeding

• Difficulties resulting

• Some difficulties associated with breast-feeding

• Increased confidence in most cases

• One report of resort to cow’s milk

• Increased confidence

• Spoon-feeding ceased

• Reports of baby breastfeeding well

• Need for help with breastfeeding

Health

• General concerns regarding health of preterm

• No specific concerns reported

• Continued improvement in baby’s health

• Failure to attend follow-up clinics

• Some serious health concerns

• One readmission to NNU

• Improvements seen in general health and growth of babies

• Pride associated with good health of babies

Emerging Challenges

• Withdrawal of hospital support following discharge

• Little support from fathers

• Financial issues

• No further challenges reported

• Concerns over inability to control babies’ exposure to visitors and possible transmission of infection