7.4.3  How do newborns lose heat?

The mechanisms of how the newborn loses heat are summarised in Figure 7.5, and described below.

Figure 7.5  Mechanisms of heat loss from a newborn baby’s skin. (Source: WHO, 1997, Safe Motherhood: Thermal Protection of the Newborn, a Practical Guide, accessed from http://whqlibdoc.who.int/ hq/ 1997/ WHO_RHT_MSM_97.2.pdf [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] )

Convection. This is the loss of heat from the newborn's skin to the surrounding air. Newborns lose a lot of heat by convection when exposed to cold air or draughts.

Conduction. This is the loss of heat when the newborn lies on a cold surface. Newborns lose heat by conduction when placed naked on a cold table, weighing scale or are wrapped in a cold blanket or towel.

Evaporation. This is the loss of heat from a newborn's wet skin to the surrounding air. Newborns lose heat by evaporation after delivery or after a bath. Even a newborn in a wet nappy can lose heat by evaporation.

Radiation. This is the loss of heat from a newborn's skin to distant cold objects, such as a cold window or wall etc.

Finally, knowing that the newborn can lose heat by the four mechanisms described above, you should counsel the mother to avoid exposing the baby to drafts. Counsel her that before she removes the baby's clothes for a bath, close all doors and windows; cover the wet baby and dry him or her quickly.