Final answer:
The initiation of a newborn's circulatory system changes after birth is triggered by the newborn's first breath.
Step-by-step explanation:
The changes that take place in a neonate's circulatory system after birth are initiated by the newborn's first breath. This critical action inflates the lungs, which decreases blood pressure in the pulmonary system and stimulates the closing of fetal circulatory shunts such as the foramen ovale and the ductus arteriosus, effectively reconfiguring blood flow to ensure it passes through the lungs for oxygenation. This essential transition from fetal to neonatal circulation allows the neonate to adapt to life outside the womb.