Objective To investigate the effect of placing neonates in different body positions on the mother′s abdomen immediately after birth for drying on neonatal outcomes.Methods A prospective quasi-experimental design was employed.A total of 356 full-term neonates born via vaginal delivery in March through April 2024 were divided into 3 groups:the supine group (n=132), where neonates were immediately placed in the supine position on the mother′s abdomen for drying; the lateral group (n=108), where neonates were placed on their left or right side on the mother′s abdomen for drying; and the prone group (n=116), where neonates were placed in the prone position (with the head turned to one side) on the mother′s abdomen for drying.Routine suctioning of the mouth and nasal passages was not performed.The three groups were compared in terms of drying time, incidence of coughing, suctioning rates when necessary, neonatal resuscitation rates, Apgar scores at 1 minute, and rates of transfer to the NICU or neonatal ward.Results Significant differences were found between the 3 groups in terms of coughing incidence rates, suctioning rates when necessary, neonatal resuscitation rates (all P＜0.05).Specifically, the supine group had significantly higher coughing incidence rates, suctioning rates when necessary, and resuscitation rates compared to both the lateral and prone groups (all P＜0.05).No significant differences were found between the lateral and prone groups for any of the outcomes (all P＞0.05).Conclusion Drying neonates in the lateral or prone position on the mother′s abdomen immediately after birth is more beneficial than the supine position in reducing the incidence of coughing, lowering suctioning rates when necessary, and decreasing the need for neonatal resuscitation.