The Golden Hour
The “Golden Hour” is defined as the first hour of post-natal life in both preterm and neonates. The term adopted from trauma work refers to the first hour of trauma management is considered golden. It includes practicing all the evidence-based interventions for term and preterm babies in the initial sixty minutes of their postnatal lives for better long term outcomes for both parent and child (Sharma, 2017) The way your baby is cared for and nurtured immediately after birth significantly dictates their transition from womb to life outside ( Bellybelly: McCulloch, 2021)
Birthing parents and babies have a physiological need to be together from the moment of birth and during the hours and days that follow. Keeping them together and connected is a safe and healthy birth practice. Immediate skin-to-skin after vaginal birth or after caesarean for all parents regardless of feeding preference. It creates optimal child and maternal/parental outcomes. (Crenshaw, 2014)
Benefits of the Golden Hour
1. Baby-led chestfeeding
Good for the baby to begin breastfeeding within the first hour. This helps to foster parent-baby attachment and bonding. It also helps to deliver the placenta more quickly as it helps to initiate contractions and reduces the risk of postpartum haemorrhage in the third stage of labour. There is a phenomenon known as the ‘breast crawl’ where babies can instinctively crawl to their parent’s chest and attach themselves to the nipple to start feeding. (Widstorm et al., 1990)
2. Body System Regulation
Babies given skin-to-skin in the first hour are better able to regulate their temperature and respiration. They have been in the uterus for nine months which is completely insulated and regulated at a consistent temperature. As they don’t have any insulating fat as newborns, they aren’t as able to adjust their own temperature. Undisturbed contact in the first hour reduces the risk of hypoglycaemia. Newborns produce glucose from their energy stores until they are breastfeeding well. They are more likely to achieve this with skin-to-skin. (McCulloch, 2021)
3. Promotes Delayed Cord Clamping
Leaving the umbilical cord while it’s still pulsating allows babies to receive oxygen vial the placenta while they adjust to breathing through their lungs. Being skin to skin helps the baby regulate their respiration, allowing their cord to remain intact for longer so that babies have a higher chance of receiving more red blood cells to reduce the risk of anaemia.
If you have a c-section, delayed cord clamping can still be possible in some cases but not always. It’s an important factor if wanted to include in a birth plan or encourage clients to ask their medical providers before if they support delayed chord clamping after caesarean.
4. Promotes attachment and bonding
Skin-to-skin contact allows the baby and parent to bond and helps the parent feel more confident and comfortable in meeting their babies’ needs. Oxytocin levels increase in pregnancy so when a baby is born and particularly after a calm and confident labour, the parent is responsive to strong levels of oxytocin to promote bonding and attachment. Large amounts of oxytocin are also released during baby holding and skin-to-skin and chestfeeding.
Parents who had an uninterrupted golden hour and regular skin-to-skin in the newborn stage are more likely to exhibit bonding behaviours later in the child’s life like kissing, positive speaking, cuddling and holding etc. (Wiberg & Chateau, 1977)
5. Better Success in Breast and Chestfeeding
Initiation and duration of breast and chestfeeding is more likely with skin-to-skin contact. Exclusive chestfeeding is recommended in the first six months by the World Health Organisation for optimal growth, development and health. (WHO, 2011). Babies to self-latch usually have a better chance of proper tongue positioning when latching on. This can promote long term consistency chest feeding as parents experience more ease and fewer obstacles when latching isn’t an issue. (Elis & Hewat, 1984)
6. Boosts Baby Immunity
Being suddenly exposed to bacteria straight after birth, the baby’s cells can begin to learn what constitutes good and bad bacteria to boost their immune system to fight off infections and reduce the risk of disease in future and allow the baby’s immune system to reach its full potential thanks to skin-to-skin. (BellyBelly:McCulloch, 2021)