03/02/2023
The Golden Hour has SO many benefits!!
In the moments just after birth, it might not seem like much is happening to the untrained eye. But really a beautiful and intricate dance of bonding, co-regulation, and laying of the groundwork for breastfeeding is unfolding. All orchestrated by hormones and the physical contact between mama and baby.
This is Golden Hour- the hour of (hopefully uninterrupted) skin-to-skin contact between mama and baby directly after birth. SO much is happening during this time just below the skin and between them- incredible physiologic changes for both, powerful emotional experiences, and connection.
For baby, this time helps with blood sugar regulation and regulating body temperature. For mama, this skin-to-skin contact helps with hormone production that positively impacts milk production and helps with breastfeeding. For both, this bonding time sets the framework for a growing relationship even years into the future.
If you're birthing in a hospital, your provider should know that this time is special but it's okay to remind them that you want to hold baby immediately after birth.
If you didn't get this time with your little one for whatever reason, try not to worry too much. You can both still get skin-to-skin benefits even after the first hour after birth by placing baby on your bare chest. This can be comforting for both you and baby and may even be helpful if you're having trouble breastfeeding.
Do you remember the golden hour after your birth? What was it like? What made it most special? What do you wish had been different? I'd love to hear about your unique experiences in the comments ❤️.
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