Which action helps keep the newborn warm during postnatal care?

Which action helps keep the newborn warm during postnatal care?

• A. Place baby in a cold room to acclimate.
• B. Continue with skin-to-skin time to keep her warm.
• C. Wrap excessively tightly to restrict movement.
• D. Delay warmth measures until feeding begins.

Answer: (B)

Maintaining warmth starts with immediate skin-to-skin contact. When the newborn rests on the parent’s bare chest, the parent's body provides a steady, warm source of heat that helps regulate the baby’s temperature and reduces heat loss through radiation, convection, and evaporation. This close contact creates a neutral thermal environment for the infant, helping prevent hypothermia and supporting stable heart rate, breathing, and glucose levels. Skin-to-skin also has additional benefits for bonding and can aid early initiation of breastfeeding. A cold room would increase heat loss, making it harder for the newborn to stay warm. Wrapping too tightly can restrict movement and circulation and isn’t necessary for warmth. Delaying warmth measures until feeding begins leaves the baby vulnerable to losing heat during the early postnatal period.

Maintaining warmth starts with immediate skin-to-skin contact. When the newborn rests on the parent’s bare chest, the parent's body provides a steady, warm source of heat that helps regulate the baby’s temperature and reduces heat loss through radiation, convection, and evaporation. This close contact creates a neutral thermal environment for the infant, helping prevent hypothermia and supporting stable heart rate, breathing, and glucose levels. Skin-to-skin also has additional benefits for bonding and can aid early initiation of breastfeeding.

A cold room would increase heat loss, making it harder for the newborn to stay warm. Wrapping too tightly can restrict movement and circulation and isn’t necessary for warmth. Delaying warmth measures until feeding begins leaves the baby vulnerable to losing heat during the early postnatal period.