Do Babies Inhale?

[Livinthedream]

Ok, a dumb one coming up........
We were just sitting here feeling bubs hiccough and we are wondering if at 36 weeks he is inhaling amniotic fluid like it is air.
I understand he is not 'breathing' amniotic fluid and he is getting his oxygen thru the placenta.
But is he breathing fluid in and out like we would breathe air. We figure he must be. cause you cant hiccough unless you are inhaling IYKWIM?
Feel like a dummy asking this one

[Toomanytoomany]

Short answer - yes they do! They get practice expanding their alveoli, and much of this fluid will be squeezed out during the birth process. That's why c-sect babies have a higher incidence of breathing problems.

[Oorki Galoorki]

:yeahthat:

[amyalexandra]

Yep! This brings back memories
I remember a few hours after C was born she had a massive chuck with amniotic fluid and colostrum combined in it! LOVELY. it freaked the hell out of DP. I think he may have half expected C's head to spin around!