Extended periods of cold stress can lead to harmful side effects which include hypoglycaemia, respiratory distress, hypoxia, metabolic acidosis, necrotizing enterocolitis and failure to gain weight ( McCall et al, 2010). Waldron and MacKinnon (2007) state preventing hypothermia is important to survival and long-term outcome in neonates. Factors that increase the risk of hypothermia include prematurity, interuterine growth retardation, birth asphyxia, congenital anomalies such as gastroschisis and damage to the central nervous system.