The purpose of the thesis was to describe fathers' experiences of a sick newborn child's illness and hospitalization. The aim was to find out if fathers' got enough relevant information about their child's illness and its treatment. The aim was also to get to know how the illness affects the child’s parent’s relationship. The method used was qualitative research methods. The material was collected in an open questionnaire via e-mail. The material consisted of five comprehensive replies.

According to the results of the research the fathers were well informed about their child's care, situation and future. The fathers felt that the information and guidance was understandable and they got it as much as it was possible to be given in that situation. Furthermore the fathers felt that they were allowed to participate in their child's care and in decision making about the child equally with the mother. The child's hospitalization was seen to confirm and bring the parents closer in the relationship, although the time was hard for the parents.

The conclusion was that topmost the participants' fathers' tought that the nursing staff should develop skills to encounter a human in crisis. Furthermore fathers hoped for a more humane approach on matters relating to the reporting of the child.