Final answer:
At the time of the baby's delivery, a source of parent-infant bonding should be prepared as it is critical for the baby’s psychological and emotional development. This bond provides the infant with a secure base and comfort, essential during the transition to the external world and first experiences of nurturing as well.
Step-by-step explanation:
At the time of the baby's delivery, it is important to have a source of parent-infant bonding ready. This is based on psychological research regarding maternal-infant bonding and its influence on healthy psychosocial development. Studies by researchers such as Harry Harlow and John Bowlby highlight the preference for comfort and security over mere nourishment, which plays a critical role in the development of a strong attachment between the infant and the caregiver. Furthermore, these bonds provide the infant with a secure base, essential for their social and emotional development.
Beyond the psychological aspect, biologically, during the neonatal period, a newborn must adapt to significant environmental changes and must engage in nonshivering thermoregulation to maintain body warmth, facilitated by breaking down brown adipose tissue. The first experiences of touch and closeness, such as cuddling, are crucial for the newborn's comfort and adaptation to the external world. Finally, the initiation of breastfeeding right after birth also acts as a source of nourishment and bonding, as the act of suckling triggers the release of oxytocin, which fosters mother-infant bonding while also facilitating milk ejection for the baby's nutrition.