A calf is born tail first. The calf has its eyes open and can swim perfectly as soon as it is born. The mother or midwife quickly severs the umbilical cord. The mother or the midwife gently nudges the newborn calf up to the surface of the water to take its first breath of air. The calf swims next to its mother and feeds from her for about 18 months.
Dolphins are very protective of their young.
About every 20 minutes the calf dives down to feed on the milk from milk ducts near its mother's tail.