What practice is recommended for preventing early neonatal hypothermia?

Skin-to-skin contact with the mother is a highly recommended practice for preventing early neonatal hypothermia. This method, also known as kangaroo care, involves placing the newborn directly on the mother's bare chest, which helps maintain the infant's body temperature through the warmth provided by the mother's skin. This close contact not only regulates the baby's temperature effectively but also promotes bonding and can enhance breastfeeding initiation.

Maintaining body temperature is crucial, especially for newborns who are susceptible to hypothermia due to their limited ability to regulate their own body temperature. Skin-to-skin contact ensures that the baby receives consistent warmth, reducing the risk of hypothermia, and it also supports physiological stability by promoting heart rate and respiratory function.

Other practices, such as immediate bathing, would not be beneficial and could increase the risk of hypothermia since bathing can lower the infant's body temperature. Keeping the baby in a brightly lit room does not directly contribute to maintaining body warmth. Placing the baby on a cold surface is contraindicated as it would further exacerbate the risk of hypothermia.