The Merck Manual provides a technical overview of perinatal physiology, beginning with ventilation and lung function. The third paragraph of this section explains 2 natural means, mechanical and hormonal, which clear the fluids from the lungs (aveolar and interstitial) so that normal gas exchange can commence. Once a tiny bit of air hits the lungs, they are triggered to breath.
Suctioning the baby's mouth and nose is common and obviously helps clear the fluid and let you hear how well your kid will be able to scream at you for the next 6 months.
So why did doctors used to hold the baby by the ankles and slap the baby on the bottom?
And, no - by all indications of recent literature this is not normally done anymore. Holding them upside down might help drain fluid and smacking them gets them ready for what you will do every time they begin to sass back - just kidding of course. Really - A.D.A.M. does make mention of "spanking" the baby to get them to cry... which requires breathing. A.D.A.M. also mentions that, if necessary, breathing may be stimulated by holding the baby's feet higher than its head and slapping the bottom of its feet, as well as by rubbing their back. If you ever find yourself in a blockbuster feature end of the world type situation where you have to deliver a baby on mountain top... here are the instructions.
Hmmm... Baby Survivor???
p.s. - any of you scientists that would like to add to or correct my interpretation of the science please leave a comment! thanks.
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