A Baby's First Breath

This weekend I was discussing with my girlfriend the process by which a baby takes its first breath; the process, in other words, by which it stops relying on the nourishment of the umbilical cord and opens up its own breathing airway for the very first time and actually inhales air. In case you're curious yourself, the following video gives you an idea of what happens chemically in the lungs of a baby in order to allow them to inflate for the first time, as well as what is required to keep them inflated... and then follows a traumatic case in which a baby fails to do so. You might find the scene traumatic, especially if you're a new mother or a mother-to-be, but rest assured there's a happy ending to this one, so watch away without worry.

Don't you just love how the last baby drools and falls flat on his ear???
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