Stage 2: Relaxation – The First Minutes. After the initial cry, the baby quickly becomes quiet and still, as she enters the relaxation stage. As he rests against his mother’s body, he might be covered with a warm, dry towel or blanket. His head should be left uncovered.
Just minutes after birth and breathing, he might move his head and shoulders, open his eyes and make some mouth movements.
Babies go through a series of nine instinctive behaviours – in strict order – in a process that takes at least an hour from the moments after birth.
As he begins to respond to the rooting reflex – one of several key reflexes present from birth – his mouth becomes active, with sucking movements and gaping movements as he begins to seek the breast.
Observation of this natural process by birth and breastfeeding experts has shown that healthy, full-term babies, who are unaffected by drugs, will follow a plan laid down deep inside their primitive brain – to seek the breast and attach all by themselves.