Sarah had waited nine long months to meet her baby, and the moment finally arrived. As soon as her newborn was placed on her chest, they both experienced an instant, unspoken connection.
The baby’s tiny hands clung to Sarah’s skin, her breathing steadying and her cries calming. This magical first hour, known as the Golden Hour, became a cherished memory that marked the beginning of their breastfeeding journey.
In this post, we will explore the numerous benefits of skin-to-skin contact during the Golden Hour. This simple yet powerful practice can significantly impact the breastfeeding experience, empowering a better transition to motherhood.
Understanding skin-to-skin contact during the Golden Hour can help new mothers and their babies get off to the best possible start. We at Omega Pediatrics highly encourage expectant mothers, especially the mothers of our young patients, to embrace this practice and enjoy its lifelong benefits.
What is the Golden Hour?
The Golden Hour is the term used to describe the first 60 minutes immediately following the birth of a newborn, a critical time when the baby is alert and responsive
The Golden Hour practice has physiological importance. It’s crucial for both the baby and the mother, as it lays the foundation for emotional bonding, physical health, and successful breastfeeding. It has also had lasting effects on the mother’s mental health.
During the Golden Hour, uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact—where the naked baby is placed directly on the mother’s bare chest—plays a vital role in initiating and supporting breastfeeding. A jumpstart for success in caring for your newborn.
Benefits of Skin-to-Skin Contact
1. Regulates the Baby’s Temperature
This is one of the immediate benefits of practicing the Golden Hour. Newborns are particularly vulnerable to hypothermia due to their underdeveloped thermoregulatory systems. Skin-to-skin contact with the mother can resolve this.
When a baby is placed on the mother’s chest during the Golden Hour, her body acts like a natural incubator, adjusting its temperature to warm the baby. This is known as “thermal synchrony,” and ensures that the baby remains at an optimal temperature.
2. Stabilizes the Baby’s Heart Rate and Breathing
This impacts the newborn’s cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The proximity to the mother helps regulate the baby’s heart rate, promoting a more stable and consistent rhythm. Also, breathing becomes more regular, reducing the risk of respiratory distress.
This close contact during the Golden Hour also supports the baby’s transition from the intrauterine environment to the outside world, making the adjustment and adaptation process smoother and less stressful.
3. Fosters Emotional Bonding
During the Golden Hour, an emotional connection is established. This process boosts the production of the oxytocin hormone, which not only aids in milk production but also promotes feelings of love and bonding.
For the mother, holding her baby close reinforces her maternal instincts and confidence in her ability to care for her newborn. For the baby, the familiar sound of the mother’s heartbeat and the warmth of her skin create security and comfort.
This early bonding during the Golden Hour helps to establish a strong foundation for a long-lasting relationship. This is crucial for the baby’s emotional and psychological development, which forms an essential component of their overall health and well-being.
4. Initiates Breastfeeding
When a newborn is placed on the mother’s chest immediately after birth, the baby’s natural rooting and sucking reflexes are stimulated. This early contact encourages the baby to begin searching for the breast, often resulting in the first successful latch.
The immediate initiation of breastfeeding helps establish a strong breastfeeding relationship and sets the stage for a successful and positive experience with nursing.
- Colostrum Transfer
Colostrum, called “liquid gold,” is the first breast milk. It’s dubbed the newborn’s “super meal,” packed with antibodies, nutrients, and essential growth factors critical for the newborn’s immune system and overall development.
There’s an effective transfer of colostrum when the baby, due to a successful first latch, begins sucking. This early intake provides the baby with vital nutrients and immune protection, supporting their health during the vulnerable first days of life.
- Latching On
Proper latching is crucial for effective breastfeeding and reduces nipple pain and other challenges of breastfeeding for the mother. Skin-to-skin contact improves the baby’s ability to latch on correctly by promoting instinctive feeding behaviors.
The baby, guided by the scent and warmth of the mother’s skin, finds and latches onto the breast naturally. This ability to latch properly ensures that the baby receives adequate milk and a positive breastfeeding experience for the mother and baby.
5. Hormonal Benefits
- Oxytocin Release
Oxytocin, the “love hormone” or “bonding hormone,” plays a critical role in milk production by stimulating the let-down reflex, which allows milk to flow from the breast.
When a mother holds her baby close, the physical closeness and emotional connection trigger oxytocin release, facilitating efficient milk transfer. This hormone also helps the uterus contract after birth, reducing postpartum bleeding and aiding recovery.
- Stress Reduction
There’s a lower level of cortisol, the stress hormone. For the mother, holding her newborn close can alleviate anxiety and stress, creating a more relaxed and positive breastfeeding environment. With less stress, milk flow is likely to be stable and regular.
For the baby, the warmth and security provided by the mother’s skin reduce stress, leading to calmness and contentment. This reduction in cortisol enhances the overall breastfeeding experience, making it more enjoyable and effective.
Practical Tips for Effective Skin-to-Skin Contact
These tips can maximize the benefits of skin-to-skin contact, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment for you and your baby during the Golden Hour and beyond.
Immediate Contact
- Advocate for Your Preferences: Openly discuss your desire for skin-to-skin contact immediately after childbirth with your healthcare provider during planning for your baby’s delivery. Ensure your birth plan includes this request.
- Minimize Interruptions: Inform the delivery team that non-essential procedures should be delayed until after the Golden Hour. Essential newborn checks can often be done while the baby is on your chest.
- Immediate Placement: As soon as the baby is born, request that it be placed directly on your chest, belly down, and covered with a warm blanket. This helps maintain the baby’s body temperature and fosters a sense of security.
Environment Setup
- Warm and Quiet Space: Create a calm and comfortable environment in the delivery room. Dim the lights and reduce noise levels to ensure a serene atmosphere.
- Comfortable Seating: The delivery bed or chair should be comfortable for you to relax and hold your baby. Pillows can provide additional support.
- Supportive Team: Have a supportive partner or family member present to assist with positioning the baby and providing emotional support. They can also help meet your needs so you can focus on bonding with your baby.
Continued Practice
- Beyond the Golden Hour: Continue skin-to-skin contact in the days and weeks following birth. This practice remains beneficial for breastfeeding, bonding, and the baby’s overall development.
- Make it a Routine: Include skin-to-skin time into your daily routine. Set aside specific times each day to hold your baby skin-to-skin, especially before feedings.
- Fathers and Partners: Encourage fathers or partners to participate in skin-to-skin contact. This practice helps them bond with the baby and supports the baby’s emotional development. Likewise, they’re expressing their support for the mother.
Addressing Common Issues: Cesarian and Premature Births
By addressing these medical issues, you ensure that skin-to-skin contact is a part of your baby’s early life, regardless of their birth circumstances. This practice can provide critical benefits for both mother and baby, promoting a healthy and strong start.
Cesarean Births
- Plan: Discuss your desire for skin-to-skin contact after a C-section with your healthcare provider during prenatal visits. Ensure it is included in your birth plan.
- Operating Room Adjustments: Many hospitals are accommodating skin-to-skin contact in the operating room. Request that your baby be placed on your chest after birth, even if you had a C-section.
- Support Team: Have a support person, like your partner or a nurse, assist with positioning the baby on your chest. They can help keep the baby secure and warm.
- Recovery Room Bonding: If immediate skin-to-skin contact isn’t possible in the operating room, ensure it happens in the recovery room. This early contact is still highly beneficial, even if slightly delayed.
Premature Babies
- Kangaroo Care: For preterm infants, skin-to-skin contact is often referred to as kangaroo care. This method is particularly beneficial since it helps to stabilize their heart rate, breathing, and body temperature.
- Medical Clearance: Your baby’s medical condition is stable enough for skin-to-skin contact. Consult with the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) staff when and how to safely start kangaroo care.
- Gradual Introduction: Start with short periods of skin-to-skin contact and gradually increase the duration as your baby’s health improves. Even a few minutes can make a significant difference.
- Parental Involvement: Encourage both parents to participate in kangaroo care. This practice supports the baby’s health and development and helps parents bond with their preterm infant and feel more confident in their caregiving roles.
Give Your Newborn the Best Possible Healthy and Strong Start
Skin-to-skin contact during the Golden Hour provides immense benefits that positively impact the mother and baby.
Embracing skin-to-skin contact can be a deeply rewarding experience that strengthens the maternal bond. Whether you have a vaginal delivery or a C-section, or whether you have a full-term or premature baby, finding ways to practice can make a difference.
Trust your instincts, seek support from your healthcare team, and cherish these early moments of closeness.
We at Omega Pediatrics express our advocacy for the Golden Hour. We encourage mothers, especially the newbie moms of our young patients, to harness its benefits and marvel at its beauty for the sake of our precious little ones.
Each moment of skin-to-skin contact is a step towards a healthier, happier start for both you and your baby. Your efforts to provide this essential skin-to-skin connection will pave the way for a nurturing and fulfilling breastfeeding journey.
