9 Newborn Instinctual Behaviours in the First Hour of Life

An undisturbed first hour or "golden hour" of your baby's life is important not only for bonding between parent and babe, but also to help your baby have a gentle and supportive transition into the outside world, allowing them to regulate their respiratory rate and temperature and find the breast/chest for nursing. This is a time where weighing and measuring can wait!

Here are the 9 stages of instinctual behaviours you'll see in a healthy newborn:

1) The birth cry. This happens immediately after birth as they clear their lungs of fluid and take their first breath.

2) Relaxation. the baby has no mouth movements and the hands are relaxed. This stage usually begins when the birth cry has stopped. The baby is skin-to-skin on the birther, either covered with a warm, dry towel or blanket, or in a warm birth tub.

3) Awakening. During this stage the newborn begins small movement in the head and shoulders, opening their eyes and may have some mouth movements