Final answer:
Placing a newborn skin to skin on the mother's chest decreases stress and assists in maintaining the newborn's body temperature through nonshivering thermogenesis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Placing the newborn skin to skin on the mother's chest is an effective technique to significantly decrease the newborn's stress and helps with thermoregulation. When a newborn is placed skin to skin with the mother, it provides several health benefits. It helps stabilize the newborn's body temperature, as newborns have a high surface area to volume ratio which makes it challenging for them to maintain their body temperature. Skin to skin contact leverages nonshivering thermogenesis, a process in which brown adipose tissue breaks down to generate heat. This tissue is found over the back, chest, and shoulders. Additionally, skin to skin contact can also provide comfort, reduce crying, and facilitate bonding between the mother and the newborn.