The golden hour?
Skin-to-skin contact immediately after the baby is born means that the newborn is placed naked on the mother’s (or partner’s) bare chest right after birth. Ideally, this contact takes place immediately after birth and lasts at least one hour or until the first feeding has taken place. We call this “the golden hour.”.
In the care provided by Aandelaak midwives, this moment is seen as an essential part of a peaceful and loving start to parenthood. So we will do everything we can to ensure that this “golden hour” takes place! The First Hour After Birth – Aandelaak Midwives => Watch our video on this topic!
What happens during the golden hour?
During this first hour, a newborn baby often goes through a number of natural stages:
- Relaxation and Recovery – The baby is recovering from birth.
- Waking Up – Small movements, eye contact, and first sounds.
- Rooting Reflex – The baby instinctively crawls toward the breast (breast crawl).
- First feeding – Many babies have their first independent feeding within this hour.
When a mother and child can spend time together undisturbed, it supports this process:
- A stable heart rate, breathing, and body temperature
- Better regulation of blood sugar levels
- Less stress and crying
- A Natural Start to Breastfeeding
- Strengthening the Bond Through Oxytocin
As part of the support provided by Aandelaak Midwives The "golden hour" is actively encouraged, provided that the mother and baby are medically stable. This moment is prioritized because it contributes to secure bonding and a positive birth experience.
Even after a medical delivery
The golden hour isn’t limited to spontaneous deliveries. Even in the case of an assisted delivery or cesarean section, skin-to-skin contact is facilitated as soon as possible whenever feasible. If the mother is temporarily unable to provide skin-to-skin contact, her partner can take on this role.
A long-term investment
Research shows that an undisturbed "golden hour" is associated with:
- Greater Success with Breastfeeding
- Greater self-confidence among parents
- Fewer stress responses in babies
- Positive impact on the mother-child relationship in the long term
By creating a sense of calm, taking our time, and giving our full attention during this first hour, we’ll lay a solid foundation together for the postpartum period and parenthood.
Would you like to discuss what you’d like your “golden hour” to look like while you’re still pregnant? Feel free to contact us at www.aandelaak.nl or discuss your needs during a checkup.
In our vision, personalized, compassionate care and a secure bond are central to the first few days after birth. Read all about our postpartum care here: Postpartum Care – Aandelaak Midwives
