The Healthy Children Project recently published on their blog, The Magical Hour, the nine instinctive stages that occur as a baby progresses toward his or her first nursing session. There are numerous advantages, both physical and psychological, that happen when a baby is held skin to skin with mama in the first hours after birth. "When a baby is in skin to skin contact after birth there are nine observable newborn stages, happening in a specific order, that are innate and instinctive for the baby. Within each of these stages, there are a variety of actions the baby may demonstrate.
Stage 1: The Birth Cry
The first stage is the birth cry. This distinctive cry occurs immediately after birth as the baby’s lungs expand.
Stage 2: Relaxation
The second stage is the relaxation stage. During the relaxation stage, the newborn exhibits no mouth movements and the hands are relaxed. This stage usually begins when the birth cry has stopped. The baby is skin to skin with the mother and covered with a warm, dry towel or blanket.
Stage 3: Awakening
The
third stage is the awakening stage. During this stage the newborn
exhibits small thrusts of movement in the head and shoulders. This stage
usually begins about 3 minutes after birth. The newborn in the
awakening stage may exhibit head movements, open his eyes, show some
mouth activity and might move his shoulders. Stage 4: Activity
The fourth stage is the activity stage. During this stage, the newborn begins to make increased mouthing and sucking movements as the rooting reflex becomes more obvious. This stage usually begins about 8 minutes after birth.
Stage 5: Rest
At any point, the baby may rest. The baby may have periods of resting between periods of activity throughout the first hour or so after birth.
Stage 6: Crawling
The sixth stage is the crawling stage. The baby approaches the breast during this stage with short periods of action that result in reaching the breast and nipple. This stage usually begins about 35 minutes after birth.
Stage 7: Familiarization
The seventh stage is called familiarization. During this stage, the newborn becomes acquainted with the mother by licking the nipple and touching and massaging her breast. This stage usually begins around 45 minutes after birth and could last for 20 minutes or more.
Stage 8: Suckling
The eighth stage is suckling. During this stage, the newborn takes the nipple, self attaches and suckles. This early experience of learning to breastfeed usually begins about an hour after birth. If the mother has had analgesia/anesthesia during labor, it may take more time with skin to skin for the baby to complete the stages and begin suckling.
Stage 9: Sleep
The final stage is sleep. The baby and sometimes the mother fall into a restful sleep. Babies usually fall asleep about 1½ to 2 hours after birth."
For more information, please visit: http://www.magicalhour.com/aboutus.html
