The “Golden Hour” is the first 1-2 hours after baby’s birth, an extremely precious time for both you and baby. A period of uninterrupted time, ideally skin to skin, to rest and regulate after labour and birth. Even before the placenta is birthed the golden hour can begin. Once your baby is born it is recommended that they are placed on your bare chest or stomach, and this is often referred to as ‘skin-to-skin’. This direct contact between baby and you or your partner is also a vital part of care in neonatal units where it is often known as ‘kangaroo care’.
The Power of Skin-to-Skin
Usually, once your baby makes contact with your skin, they will begin to relax and rest as they get used to the world outside the womb. Some babies fall asleep; some prefer to take the opportunity to try and focus on faces and objects. Your heartbeat is a familiar sound and often calms baby. Research shows us that skin-to-skin after birth has numerous benefits for baby:
- Stabilises baby’s breathing and heart rate
- Lowers stress levels for baby and parent
- Regulates your baby’s body temperature
- Regulates baby’s nervous system
- Boosts baby’s immunity to infections
- Promotes bonding with parent and baby, releasing the ‘feel good hormone’ oxytocin in both
Taking this time is normally just a standard part of your care and your midwife/doctor usually encourage this pause. However, it is recommended that you clarify your wishes in your birth preferences/plan and take the time to discuss your needs with your midwife.
For some, birth can be unpredictable and unexpected complications could delay this process, but rest assured your skin-to-skin time with your baby will still be of utmost importance as soon as it is possible. Skin-to-skin is still encouraged after a caesarean birth and involving your partner in the process ensures the baby still receives huge benefits regardless of how you have birthed.
Unicef video on meeting your baby for the first time describes the benefits of skin-to-skin contact after birth for both parents and baby.
The Golden Hour and The First Feed
The golden hour provides the perfect time for peaceful bonding and for your baby to begin to adjust to life outside the womb. During this time, if you are calm and relaxed, a hormone called prolactin will be produced. Prolactin stimulates the breasts to produce milk, meaning baby will be able to instinctively feed with ease. Research suggests that when breastfeeding naturally occurs within an hour of birth there are often better breastfeeding outcomes. While your baby is close to you they can smell your skin and this helps them to feel instantly relaxed, secure and comfortable so the first feed is often easier.
Getting The Most From Your Golden Hour
The golden hour is a time for you, your baby and your partner to pause, reflect, and get to know each other. Ensuring your birth environment is as quiet as possible with minimal interruptions allows for relaxed bonding and the first feed to take place with ease and no sense of urgency. During your pregnancy start to think about how to optimise this valuable time with your new baby.
- Ask for no interruptions as you and your baby start your feeding journey
- Ask for just the vital members of your birth team in the room during your golden hour
- Ask for your environment to feel calm and quiet during the first hour – this could mean keeping the lights low
- Take your time as there’s no need to rush
- Ask for the cord not to be cut during golden hour to give extra oxygen to baby
- Ensure your midwife/doctor is informed of your wishes for golden hour
- Enjoy this very special time after birth
Remember skin-to-skin contact doesn’t stop at the birthing unit, continue when you’re at home, especially in the first few days and weeks (or for as long as you wish to continue). It’s a useful tool to help calm your baby when they are upset, unsettled or hungry.