Skin-to-skin contact helps minimize heat loss in newborns primarily through which mechanism?

Skin-to-skin contact, often referred to as kangaroo care, is particularly effective in minimizing heat loss in newborns through the mechanism of conduction. When a newborn is placed directly against the caregiver's skin, the warmth from the caregiver's body is transferred to the baby. This direct contact helps to maintain the newborn's body temperature by providing a constant source of heat, which is crucial since newborns have a limited ability to regulate their own temperature.

In this situation, conduction occurs because heat moves from the warmer caregiver's skin to the cooler skin of the infant. This mechanism is particularly important for newborns, as they are more susceptible to temperature fluctuations due to their small body size and high surface area-to-volume ratio. Ensuring that the baby has immediate access to warmth through skin-to-skin contact is a vital practice in neonatal care, promoting thermal stability and contributing to overall well-being.