All newborn babies will behave in different ways (as adults do), and while many books (and even this website) will try to give new parents guides about how their baby will behave, it is rare that someone can provide all the answers.
We know how unnerving it can be to be faced with a baby who cries inconsolably, or appears irritable after their birthing experience. We also know how amazing it can be to see a baby looking around, alert and interested in their surroundings. Some babies will cry very loudly, others will be quiet and a few will simply fuss and be unsettled. Most will need about 20 to 40 minutes to become accustomed with their new environment.
The following information is aimed at providing a range of normal newborn behaviour soon after birth. Classes 11 and 12 will go on to explore a baby's behaviour in the early weeks of parenting. Some common behaviours of a newborn babies can include:
Alert and crying
Quiet and awake
Sleepy and drowsy
Fussy and whinging
Alert and crying. During the first hour of life, the majority of babies will cry initially and then be alert and interested in their surroundings. They may continue to cry lustily on and off until they are wrapped or held closely by their parents or once they are given their first feed.
Some babies will feed straight away while most aren't ready until 20 - 40 minutes after the birth. It is ideal to get your baby to feed in this early time as many babies will fall into a deep sleep for up to 6 to 12 hours after the birth (giving them and mum a rest).
Quiet and awake. Some babies will be very quiet and alert, happily looking around and taking in their new surroundings. They will usually lie quietly in your arms or on their mother's belly, only stirring when they are ready to feed.
Sleepy and drowsy. A few babies will be sleepy or drowsy at birth and possibly not interested in feeding or visually connecting with their parents. This may be from the baby having a residue of