Welcome to the magical first moment after birth!
This simple detail can set the stage for a lifetime of health, bonding and breastfeeding success.
The Golden Hour
The golden hour is how baby's first hour of life is called and, as the name suggests, is extremely valuable for the health and well-being of both the mother and the newborn, playing a crucial role in promoting breastfeeding success.
After the birth of a healthy baby, the best place for them is in the mother's arms (if she desires). The baby should be placed, uninterruptedly for one hour, on skin-to-skin contact, without clothes, directly on the mother's chest or abdomen, with only their back covered. This skin-to-skin contact in the first hour of life helps the baby regulate body temperature and stay warm, strengthens the immune system through contact with the maternal microbiota, and fosters the building of the mother-baby bond through scent, touch, and visual contact.
Regardless of the way baby was born (vaginal or cesarean), skin-to-skin contact should be prioritized, and the initial checkups of the baby can be performed without them being separated from the mother. Routine procedures (such as weighing, vaccinations, among others) can be done after this first hour.
Skin-to-skin contact also allows breastfeeding to be stimulated in the first hour of life. When baby sucks on mother's breast, it triggers the release of oxytocin, a hormone responsible for the let-down reflex (milk ejection), which also aids in uterine contraction, helping in the physiological expulsion of the placenta, reducing postpartum blood loss. For the baby, breastfeeding in the first hour allows them to feed on colostrum, a yellowish fluid that comes before breast milk, rich in antibodies and nutrients – considered the baby's "first vaccine." If the baby does not nurse during this time, do not worry: newborns have an energy reserve that protects them during the first few hours of life. Remember not to offer formulas and artificial nipples without clinical indication, as they hinder the establishment of effective breastfeeding.
The golden hour and skin-to-skin contact play crucial roles in promoting the success of breastfeeding, not only baby's physical growth but also their healthy emotional development and the bond between mother and child.
Writen by Marcela Rios | Doula, childbirth educator and breastfeeding counselor
Posted on Instagram @barbaracrepaldiphoto on January 31, 2024.
≫ This image is part of the “Breastfeeding Moment” project by photographer Barbara Crepaldi, with the support of doula Marcela Rios. The goal of this project is to share valuable information and create beautiful memories for the featured mothers. Every two months, Barbara Crepaldi Photography will host a raffle for subscribed women. The winner will receive a studio breastfeeding shoot, and her photos and story will be featured on Instagram and here. For more information on how to participate, please visit @BarbaraCrepaldiPhoto.
