The Golden Hour

Vicki Jeffrey Vicki's Doula Services

The first hour after birth when a mother has uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact with her newborn is referred to as the “golden hour” As well as increasing mumma ’ s oxytocin (the love hormone) levels, skin-to-skin time in the golden hour raises the baby’s oxytocin levels as well. This reduces the newborn’s stress levels, which means they’re better able to regulate their heart rate, respiratory rate and body temperature, and keeps blood sugar levels higher Other benefits include reduced postpartum depression, baby cries less, better sleep, better gut health and immunity.

Skin-to-skin contact promotes a strong bond between mother and baby. Research shows that babies who have the benefit of skin-to-skin contact time actually breastfeed better and longer after the baby naturally latches on to the mother’s nipples on their own. Breastfeeding early on can also speed up the delivery of the placenta, reducing the risk of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH).

Oxytocin isn’t the only hormone at play during the golden hour Mumma’s level of beta-endorphins, released to help manage pain during labour, is also higher immediately after birth. These hormones activate the brain’s reward centre, having lots of cuddles and skin-to-skin time in the golden hour helps to create a positive association with these activities for both mum and baby And, so later on down the track, when they do skin-toskin, the reward centre goes “ooh, this is a good thing.” And so, there is a positive association there.

Sometimes, however, mum or baby may need medical attention immediately after birth, so they may not be able to spend the hour having uninterrupted skin-to-skin time If this happens, it does not mean that you can’t bond well with your baby or have great success breastfeeding. If the situation allows, even a couple of minutes doing skin-to-skin can help to maximise these hormones, and then pick it up again when reunited If mum and baby are separated the next best thing is for dads or birth partners (support people) to do the golden hour.

Can I do the golden hour after a caesarean birth? You sure can!! You may have to push for it, however Following a caesarean, many hospitals will separate mum and baby, or they’ll wrap the baby and give to mum already wrapped, blocking skin-to-skin contact. Be sure to let your midwife, staff know well ahead of time that you do not want to be separated from your baby and want skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible

“The newborn uses all 5 senses to adjust, and all of them centre around you!”