PURPOSE: One of the main tasks of a child health care nurse is to assess and promote a responsive interaction and secure connection between children and their parents for the future. This study aims to develop an understanding of Swedish child health care nurses´ experiences of assessing and promoting responsive interaction between parents and children.

DESIGN AND METHOD: A qualitative interview study using an inductive approach was implemented. Eleven nurses were interviewed (range: 30-58 min) during the period March to August 2016, and the transcripts were analysed using qualitative content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman.

RESULTS: Three categories emerged: Interpreting signals in parent and child behaviour, Reinforcing the parents in their role and Feeling inadequate as professional. Interpreting signals in parent and child behaviour was described fundamental when promoting responsive interaction. Further reinforcing the parents in their role was described central. The child health care nurses also described how they often felt inadequate in promoting responsive interaction.

CONCLUSIONS: Assessing and promoting responsive interaction is an important but challenging task which requires extensive knowledge and good communication skills. The child health care nurses express their insufficiency in that regard.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: A targeted education and sufficient time for each visit at the child health care center should be allocated to facilitate the important work on parenting and child interaction and to enhance nurses' feelings of managing their work.