What is the initial step in the care of a newborn after birth?

The initial step in the care of a newborn after birth is drying and warming the baby. This is crucial because newborns are highly susceptible to hypothermia due to their relatively high surface area to body weight ratio and the transition from a warm intrauterine environment to the cooler ambient air. Immediately drying the baby helps to remove any amniotic fluid and stimulates skin-to-skin contact, which triggers thermoregulation mechanisms in the infant's body.

Warming the newborn is vital in preventing low body temperature, which can lead to serious health complications. By ensuring the newborn is warm and dry, healthcare providers set a solid foundation for further assessments and interventions, such as vital signs monitoring, feeding, and potentially the use of an incubator if needed, but these follow after adequately addressing the baby's immediate thermal needs.