INTRODUCTION: Hypothermia in the newborn causes morbid conditions. In developing countries in the basic technology for neonatal adaptation may not be available. Polyethylene bags may be an alternative to lamp radiant heat to prevent hypothermia OBJECTIVE: To characterize the differences between babies undergoing body bag with polyethylene or conventional drying during neonatal adaptation in the Hospital de la Victoria and Hospital de Engativá, Bogotá, Colombia, 2013.