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My first thoughts about why a mom would need to do this probably aren't going to make you feel very happy.
I always stongly recommend that a mom try to parent first before placement, take the baby home, see how it works..be completely and utterly sure of the decision. Because one can always place a baby, but you can't unsign a surrender.
So my thoughts are that she is a smart girl, she did her homework, and is doing what is right for her...and in retrospec, for her child.
Now I don't know if that IS her reasoning..and you could always ask, but that might be a hard thing for her to tell you. I am a fan of openness and honestly, but sometimes one has to protect themselves.
I wouldn't personally worry too much about the baby making the transition. Babies attach to new caregivers at much later ages in international adoptions. The bond that exisits between mother and child, while it might be stronger after a few weeks, will still be severed from a placement at any early age.
Granted there is developement during the first month, but babies recognize their mother's voice and smell at birth too...so the separation is there no matter what.
I know it sounds hard, but I would rather be assured that the mother of my child was completely sure in her decision to place and took the time she needed rather than guilt her into a poor decision. ( not saying you are...just couldn't come up with a better way to word it).
I am assuming here that with the actual placement is the signing of the relinquishment papers? There is a HUGE legal difference in still having your own child and visiting him/her in a home where you no longer have legal rights. Are you sure that you are not more uncomfortable with her not wanting to sign off right away?
Plus really, if she has not signed, then it is still her baby..and she can do so if she chooses. You have the choice of agreeing with what she decides or calling off the match because of your feelings regarding it.
There is a heck of a lot of information here on bonding and transitions to get you mind at ease about that kind of stuff. I am no expert on that, but I would think that the folks here who have taken in older kids will assure you that 5 weeks is better than OK. There are things that you can do to promote bonding and easy transitions..some research should pull that up easy.
Truthfully, sounds to me like she is going to test out parenting. I know that's not what you would like to hear, but that's my guess. I would be careful that you don't in anyway "steer" her in another direction..just guard your heart.
Though I am glad she is being smart, I am sorry.
And before i read too much more into your three lines, I'll shut up.
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