Searching for normalcy: mothers' caregiving for low birth weight infants.

This research addressed the process mothers use to seek help when giving care to low birth weight (LBW) infants at home. The design was descriptive, using a grounded theory approach. Data from audiotaped interviews guided by questions about seeking help related to giving care were analyzed by constant comparative analysis. The sample was 14 mothers of premature LBW infants enrolled in a follow up clinic for high risk infants. Their LBW infants (M birth weight = 1,575 g) were 4-12 months old (M = 9) at the time of the interview. Searching for Normalcy through caregiving includes: learning caregiving, maintaining vigilance for progress, normalizing going alone with caregiver burden, and help-seeking. Mothers seek resources for information, assessment and treatment, respite caregiving, and support. Nurses can help mothers identify, access, and effectively use resources.