The Awakening of the Newborn Human Infant and the Emergence of Consciousness.
Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) May 1, 2025 Hugo Lagercrantz 8 citations
Consciousness emerges gradually before and after birth, not as an all-or-nothing event. Newborns become aroused at birth due to intense sensory stimulation and stress from transitioning to air; first breaths activate the locus coeruleus, indicated by large pupils. Infants appear aware of their bodies and can recognize their mother's facial expressions, voice, and smell. A default mode network matures soon after birth, likely keeping the brain in a conscious state. Newborns are probably conscious, albeit at a low level. Fetuses show signs of consciousness after about 24 weeks of gestation, though they mainly sleep and are less aware of their environment. Before that, sensory nerves are not yet connected to the cerebral cortex.