A mother has delivered a healthy newborn. Which action is priority?

A) Encourage close physical contact as soon as possible after birth.
B) Isolate the newborn in the nursery during the first hour after delivery.
C) Never leave the newborn alone with the mother during the first 8 hours after delivery.
D) Do not allow the newborn to remain with parents until the second hour after delivery.

After immediate physical evaluation and application of identification bracelets, the nurse promotes the parents' and newborn's need for close physical contact. Early parent-child interaction encourages parent-child attachment. Most healthy newborns are awake and alert for the first half-hour after birth. This is a good time for parent-child interaction to begin. No evidence in the scenario suggests that the baby cannot be left alone with the parents during the first 8 hours or that the baby should remain in the nursery during the first hour.