Can a baby still breathe underwater after birth if they have the umbilical cord connected to its mother?

Answer 1

A baby cannot breathe underwater. In the womb they are breathing amniotic fluid, not water. They can still hold their breath underwater at birth for a limited time, unless the parents take them into water frequently after birth, or else they will lose this ability. But since they have to live on land, it's ok that they lose that ability. Humans are not meant to be sea creatures. And the ability to hold their breath underwater has nothing to do with whether or not the umbilical cord is connected to the mother.

Answer 2

Yes. The umbilical cord acts like a snorkel, providing the baby with oxygen. Until the cord is severed or the baby begins to inhale oxygen, the baby can live under water.

My mother did this to me when I was born and I've been living underwater ever since!

Answer 3

YES! Imagine, if you will, that the umbilical chord is like a tiny fleshy snorkel. Now also imagine the unborn child as a miniature jacques cousteau, probing, searching and eventually finding the exit from the great womb of noise. Its a widely known fact that babies have webbing betwixt there feet and hands, like fins. This is to facilitate swimming, as babies are also known for there powerful American crawl and breast stroke abilities. What babies do lack is a good st of goggles, this is why they cry so much as babies because the placenta and womb fluid has been in their eyes for nine entire months.