What is crucial to use immediately after the baby's birth?

Using a warm blanket immediately after a baby's birth is crucial for several reasons. Newborns are not yet able to regulate their body temperature effectively, and they can lose heat rapidly due to their significant body surface area relative to their weight. This exposure can lead to hypothermia, which is a serious condition that can affect the baby’s health.

Newborns are typically wet from delivery, which further exacerbates the risk of heat loss as evaporation occurs. Wrapping the baby in a warm blanket helps to retain their body heat, providing a stable and comfortable environment. This practice is important for ensuring the baby transitions smoothly from the womb to the external environment, enabling vital functions such as breathing and maintaining stable heart rates to be established without additional stress from temperature regulation.

Other items listed, while they may have their uses post-delivery, do not provide the immediate temperature stabilization that a warm blanket does.