Final answer:
The nurse should anticipate and support the mother's behavior of undressing her baby as a normal part of bonding, facilitating skin-to-skin contact, and fostering a strong emotional connection between mother and child.
Step-by-step explanation:
When observing a new mother interacting with her baby for the first time approximately 1 hour after the baby's birth, and she begins to undress her baby, the appropriate nursing action would be:
d) Anticipate and support the behavior as a normal part of bonding.
Undressing the baby can be part of the initial bonding process, allowing the mother to explore her baby's features. It also facilitates skin-to-skin contact, which has many benefits, such as promoting bonding, regulating the baby's body temperature, and initiating breastfeeding. The nurse should support and guide the mother throughout this process, educating her on the importance of keeping the baby warm and the benefits of skin-to-skin contact. It's important for healthcare professionals to understand that each family is unique and to encourage bonding in a manner that is respectful and supportive of the mother’s natural instincts.
Researchers like Harry Harlow have shown that feelings of comfort and security are critical to maternal-infant bonding. Newborns' reflexes and their senses, such as touch and smell, are designed to facilitate interaction with their caregivers. Therefore, the nurse should view the undressing of the baby not as an incorrect action but as an opportunity for the mother to strengthen the bond with her newborn.