Which step best supports reducing heat loss for a newborn immediately after birth?

• A. Briefly bathe the newborn to remove amniotic fluid.
• B. Place the newborn in a cold environment.
• C. Quickly dry and wrap the newborn.
• D. Delay drying until after the first feeding.

Answer: (C)

Immediately after birth, the newborn’s ability to regulate temperature is limited, so the key idea is to minimize heat loss by creating a warm, insulated microenvironment. Quick drying removes moisture from the skin, which is the main source of rapid heat loss through evaporation. Wrapping the baby in a warm, dry blanket then traps the air close to the body, reducing heat loss from convection, conduction, and radiation. Together, drying and wrapping establish a protective warm zone right away.

If the baby is placed in a cold environment, or if the skin stays damp from a bath, more heat escapes, making it harder to maintain warmth. Delaying drying until after the first feeding prolongs exposure to damp skin and increases heat loss. So the best immediate step to minimize heat loss is to quickly dry the newborn and wrap them warmly.