Golden Hour
Why is it important?
During this period is critical for developing their immune system, establishing their breastfeeding, to promote attachment, reduce stress for both mother and baby and to help the baby adapt to life outside of the womb. Mother can do this after vaginal and cesarean birth.
So why does the hospital system often interrupt a mother and the Golden Hour with her newborn?
Hospitals are businesses and they want you in and out as quickly as possible. That means routine hospital procedures like weighing, bathing and injections, which don’t need to be done immediately after birth, unnecessarily disrupt the golden hour. The big issue with this is that it delays the first breastfeed which is so important for both mother and baby, soon after birth. When the first breastfeed is disrupted, it increases the risk of common breastfeeding complications such as nipple trauma, breast engorgement and mastitis.
9 AMAZING GOLDEN HOUR STAGES
1. THE BIRTH CRY.
Baby expends the lungs for the first time, expelling fluid and transition to breathing
2. RELAXATION.
The baby is placed on the mothers abdomen to hear the mother’s rhythmic heartbeat, listen to her voice which helps him/her to calm down, regulates heartbeat & breathing, keeps warm by moms skin and temperature, and is exposed to microbiome on moms skin. During the vaginal labor the baby is exposed to microbiome in the birth canal but when the baby is born via c-section the baby misses that stage and this is the second opportunity. Microbiome is essential for the development of the immune system.
3. AWAKENING, 3 MINS AFTER THE BIRTH.
Baby is a bit more alert, moves the head and shoulders and blinks the eyes until they can focus on moms face.
4. ACTIVITY, 8 MINS AFTER THE BIRTH.
The baby is much more active, making big movements with the head, shoulders and arms. Baby opens his/her mouth and starts seeking for the breast.
5. REST.
Baby will take a rest between stages or during stages, their eyes may be open or closed and they might be sucking on their fingers.
6. CRAWLING TO BREASTS.
Baby makes the effort to get to the breast. All babies are born with the stepping reflex, they will make stepping motions. This reflex disappears after 2-3 months. They need it at birth to push themselves toward the breast. Mother will need pillows under the arm to support on each side because the baby will go to one side of the breast and the other. The kicking of moms tummy encourages the uterus to contract and excel placenta and reduce the blood loss after birth.
7. FAMILIARIZATION, 45 MINS AFTER THE BIRTH.
The baby finds the breast and now familiarize her/himself with the breasts. The little tongue will come out and will lick the areola, taste, smell and the hand will massage the breast to stimulate the oxytocin so moms milk will flow freely. It also helps to shape the beast for attachment. This will take about 20 mins.
8. SUCKLING.
Finally after an hour or so your baby will begin suckling from the breast. If you had anesthesia during labor it might take a little longer for the baby to find the breast but he/she will do it. The baby will be sucking on the breast and come off and trying to find the optimal position. So your baby will self attach to your breast with a wide open mouth with four points of contact: chin, two cheeks and the nose. Let him/her find the best position.
9. SLEEP.
Finally after the good feed, there are chemicals that help the baby to relax and feel drowsy. Your baby will go into a deep sleep so he/she can recover from the birth.
Enjoy that precious time with your baby and allow your baby the time he/she needs to transition to life outside of uterus.
Photography of my son’s birth taken by an amazing doula and birth photographer, Lauren Guilford.