Herul Wahyudin, Maria Oktasari, Alya Nurmaya, Hanik Mufaridah, Asep Amat Sopian
This letter responds to the study by Treiman-Kiveste et al. (2026), which explores parents' preparedness to participate in their infants' painful procedures in neonatal care. While the study provides valuable insights into emotional and communicative aspects of parental involvement, the discussion largely reflects contexts in well-resourced healthcare systems. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), parental preparedness is also shaped by systemic and cultural constraints, including overcrowded neonatal intensive care units, limited healthcare resources, restrictive visitation policies, and culturally embedded caregiving norms. These factors may substantially limit parents’ opportunities to engage in neonatal care and develop confidence in supporting their infants during medical procedures. This letter highlights the importance of incorporating these contextual factors into discussions of parental preparedness and proposes low-cost, culturally sensitive communication strategies, such as simplified medical explanations, teach-back approaches, and structured parental role guidance during procedures. Integrating systemic and cultural considerations into neonatal care practices may improve parental engagement and contribute to more inclusive and contextually appropriate neonatal care in LMIC settings. © 2026 Neonatal Nurses Association.
Department of Guidance and Counseling, Universitas Negeri Malang, East Java, Malang, Indonesia; Department of Guidance and Counseling, Universitas Indraprasta PGRI Jakarta, Jakarta, East Jakarta, Indonesia; Department of Islamic Guidance and Counseling, Universitas Ibrahimy Situbondo, East Java, Situbondo, Indonesia; Department of Guidance and Counseling, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Central Java, Semarang, Indonesia
