Final answer:
An infant can go skin-to-skin with the mother immediately after birth if both are stable. This is common after a vaginal birth and depends on the newborn's assessment post-delivery. Delays can occur if there are medical complications or following a cesarean section.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question at hand pertains to when an infant can immediately go skin-to-skin with their mother after delivery. An infant can go skin-to-skin after being born as long as both the mother and baby are medically stable. Skin-to-skin contact is often possible right after a vaginal birth and once the healthcare provider has done a brief assessment to ensure the baby has made the transition from the womb well. This involves checking the newborn's skin color, heart rate, reflexes, muscle tone, and respiration. Assuming no complications, skin-to-skin contact can usually commence very quickly after birth. However, in cases of cesarean sections or if the baby or mother has medical issues, there might be a delay.
In the context of child development, by the end of the fourth month after birth, an infant can sit up with support, hold their head steady, and respond to sensory stimuli like gentle rocking which they find comforting. Additionally, during weeks 16–20 of gestation, the fetus develops a coating of vernix caseosa and may have lanugo, characteristics still sometimes observed in newborns, especially if they are premature. After birth, the baby's circulatory pattern changes with their first breath, marking a significant transition from fetal to neonatal life, which is essential for the immediate skin-to-skin contact to be favorable.