9 stages of the newborn
Everything a newborn baby does is guided by reflex. Newborns do not yet have the frontal brain development and brain-muscle memory needed to operate through choice. If the birthing parent-baby dyad is left undisturbed in the minutes and hours after birth you will see an extraordinary display of these reflexes.
A newborn goes through nine distinct stages after birth. The best way to observe these stages is to take up a semi-reclining position in your bed and let your baby lay skin-to-skin on your abdomen or chest with a warm blanket or towel draped over you both.
Breath. The first stage is usually labeled as “birth cry” but not every baby lets out that gusty wail you hear in movies. More often than not it is one big breath or a series of small breaths as your baby’s lungs expand for the first time.
Relaxation. After their initial breath or cry, babies experience a period of relaxation. Your baby should be skin-to-skin with you at this point, covered with a warm blanket or towel.
Awakening. Stage 2 is followed by the baby’s realization that they are no longer in the womb. You might notice a quiet alertness as they open their eyes and take in their surroundings for the first time. They will exhibit small movements of their head and mouth as well.
Activity. With the realization they are not in the womb any more, babies will start to stretch and flail their limbs. You may also notice more movements of their mouth as the rooting reflex becomes more obvious. This can also be a great time to look into your baby’s eyes.
Resting. It is not uncommon for babies to rest between periods of activity. Let. Them. Rest. Being born is exhausting work! Follow their lead and rest yourself. If you are unable to rest, use this time to take in all the little details of your new baby.
Crawling. As their activity increases, your baby will start to make big movements towards your chest. They may look like scooting, lunging, or crawling. This is known as the breast crawl and it usually begins a half hour after birth.
Familiarization. When they reach your chest, let your baby familiarize themselves with it. You might be surprised to see your newborn lift their head in what I call “the bop.” Glands on your areolas produce a lubricant that guides your baby to your nipple by scent. Your baby may lick your nipples or massage your chest. Don’t rush it - this stage can last for 20 minutes or longer!
Suckling. Finally, your baby is ready to latch and suckle! Important to note is that there are two reflexes involved here: gaping and suckling. Plant your baby’s chin on your chest to trigger the gaping reflex. When their mouth is nice and wide, then gently introduce your areola into their mouth. Suckling is triggered by contact on their lower lip. If at first the latch hurts or it doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to gently disengage and try again. While suckling is an innate reflex, latching is not and it may take a few tries for you both to get the hang of it.
Sleeping. After feeding, your baby will be ready to sleep, sometimes for up to a couple hours. Follow their lead! This might be a good time for your partner to hold baby skin-to-skin so you can get an hour or two of sleep.
If you received an epidural during labor, these stages still happen but it may take a little longer so be patient with yourself and your baby.
If these stages are allowed to unfold without interruption, they can result in higher Apgar scores and a more successful nursing journey. As a doula, I strive to hold space for these stages and be a guide in these moments for my clients. If you have any questions or are interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
