The neonatal transition involves physiological modifications as a consequence of the complexity of the perinatal period. Various strategies can be used to attain the same level of postnatal cerebral oxygenation, depending on the status of the infant at birth. We evaluated such strategies by recording 20 full-term newborns by near-infrared spectroscopy during the first 10 min of life. The acid-base status at birth revealed two clustered profiles of cerebral oxygenation dynamics. Lower pH and base excess and higher lactate levels were associated with more rapid attainment of the 95% maximal tissue oxygenation index value. These results suggest that metabolic mechanisms drive initial cerebral oxygenation dynamics during this critical period. These results confirm the capacity of newborns to develop multiple strategies to protect the brain.