Abstract
M.Cur.
An explorative, descriptive, contextual qualitative design was employed in an endeavour to unravel
experiences of mothers with infants in the NICU regarding emotional support that they received from the
nurses while nursing their infants in the unit. The sample of the study comprised eight (8) mothers who
were selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through the use of semi- structured
questions. All the interviews were audiotaped. Data were collected in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
(NICU) of Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana. Data were analysed through the use of Tesch's method
of data analysis, which is based on thematic content analysis. Themes which emerged were acceptance of
the infant, encouragement to keep on visiting the infant every three hours, information provided on
caring for the infant, encouragement on giving the infant motherly love e.g. cuddling, nurses having no
time for the mothers, nurses' mistrust of mothers and finally neglect. The results of the study revealed
that mothers did receive the emotional support that they needed, perceived as an important aspect to
mothers nursing infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It was found that some nurses did provide
emotional support to mothers while other nurses had no time to support the mothers in need.