Which action is explicitly recommended for maintaining warmth in a full-term newborn?

• A. Keep newborn warm
• B. Place on back without monitoring
• C. Anoint with lotion
• D. Delay warming until hospital

Answer: (A)

Keeping the newborn warm is essential because a newborn loses heat very quickly and cannot regulate temperature well on its own. Heat loss happens rapidly through evaporation (wet skin), convection (cool air), conduction (contact with cold surfaces), and radiation (cool surroundings). If warmth isn’t maintained, hypothermia can develop and lead to problems like metabolic stress, hypoglycemia, and respiratory difficulties.

The best approach is to keep the baby warm right away: dry the newborn thoroughly, wrap or swaddle in dry blankets, and cover the head with a hat. If possible, place the baby in a warm environment such as a radiant warmer or snug against the caregiver’s chest for skin-to-skin contact to share body heat. Avoid leaving the baby wet and exposed, avoid applying lotions, and don’t delay warming to hospital. Keeping the newborn warm aligns with the goal of preventing cold stress and supporting stable adaptation after birth.