What is the golden hour after birth?

The first hour after birth when a mother has uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact with her newborn is referred to as the “golden hour.” This period of time is critical for a newborn baby who spent the past nine months in a controlled environment.

In the rush to clean, weigh, measure, and generally check the health of a newborn, the baby may be missing out on some important bonding and other benefits with his mother. As long as there is no emergency, such procedures could be delayed for an hour or more so that the newborn can benefit from being skin to skin with the mother.

The Golden Hour is defined as the baby being skin-to-skin on the mother for an uninterrupted hour immediately following birth. In reality, it is so much more than this. Experiencing labor and birth is exhausting on both the mother and baby. It is the hardest work that the body (and the baby) has ever performed. Studies show that sharing the Golden Hour reduces the stress levels of both mother and baby.

Benefits of the Golden Hour
Undisturbed Time: This time is quiet, peaceful and full of little to no interruptions. There is no one poking and prodding mom or baby, and the environment is calm and soothing.
Both Mother and Baby’s Heart Rates are More Stable
Baby Cries Less
First Nursing Session is Better Digested
Baby’s Body Temperature Remains Stable: A mother’s chest is warmer than any other parts of the body and can keep the baby from cooling down. That’s right, the mother’s body continues to regulate the baby’s body temperature even after birth.
Risk of Infection for Baby Significantly Decreases: The mother’s good bacteria is picked up via skin-to-skin contact and protects baby.
Physiological Signs of Stress Decrease for Baby: Instead of becoming lethargic or disassociated and crying in despair, the Golden Hour provides instinctual close contact to keep baby calm and allow the natural progress of newborn development to occur.
Breastfeeding: The Golden Hour allows the natural act of breastfeeding to occur without pressure and on the baby’s timeframe.
Bonding: Not only are mother and baby bonding, but father, mother, and baby are all getting to know one another.
Reduced Risk of Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar levels): Newborns can produce glucose from their body’s stored energy until they have figured out breastfeeding, but being skin to skin enhances their body’s ability to do so.
Increase in Mother’s Confidence: Oxytocin receptors increase during pregnancy, and when a baby is born, the mother is more responsive to this hormone. Oxytocin promotes maternal instincts, and is produced in even larger quantities when breastfeeding and being skin-to-skin.
Successful Breastfeeding Relationship: Mothers who enjoy this time period are more likely to have a successful breastfeeding journey. Even more so if the baby is left to self-attach to the breast without help or force.
Protection Against the Effects of Separation: Babies are born with a mammal’s primal instinct to stay in a safe environment (With their mother). They preserve energy and heat this way, are comforted and feel safe.