Mom’s Edition: The Golden Hour After Childbirth

Holding your newborn in your arms after a long and adventurous pregnancy journey is a sheer delight for you. Isn’t it? 

The moment when your newborn baby is in your arms, and covered with a warm blanket is the most beautiful moment of your life. That’s “the Golden Hour” of your life. These are the first 60 minutes when you’ll be experiencing uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact and unparalleled joy.

Going in–depth, “The Golden Hour” is much more than that. So, enjoy every moment of it as a beautiful journey of motherhood awaits you.

So, here’s everything that you need to know about it.

The Benefits of the Baby “The Golden Hour” after childbirth

“The Golden Hour” is a phase of transition. While you’re entering a world of motherhood, your newborn is also adapting to their life outside. How?

They cry a distinctive cry. They try to open their eyes and make eye contact with you. They’d try to respond to your voice when they hear it. Along with this, they try to make small movements with their hands and legs. That’s not all! 

As the baby is snuggled in your arms, the little one is getting a chance to enjoy skin-to-skin with you. 

Your Baby will Bond with You Better

Through skin-to-skin contact with you, in “The Golden Hour” the oxytocin or “love” hormones will be released. Your cuddly little one will feel loved, pampered, and cared for at this moment. In addition to this, your little one’s heart, and brain will feel stimulated by the sight of your face, smile, and smell.

The Newborn Develops a Sense of Security and Feels Relaxed

Being close to your chest and hearing your voice will help develop a sense of security in your little one. Along with this, your baby will feel safe, perfectly relaxed, and stress-free with you. 

The Baby’s Body Temperature will be Regulated

During “The Golden Hour,” both of you will be covered in a warm blanket. That means, along with your warm touch, the warm covering will keep your baby’s body’s temperature regulated.

Your Baby’s Risk of Getting Infected May be Reduced

At this moment, the newborn will pick up good and friendly bacteria from you. That means, the baby will naturally feel protected from the bacterial and viral infections present in the atmosphere. 

The Newborn’s Glucose will be Regulated

Up to 14% of full-term healthy babies have less than 2.6 mmol/l in the first three days of their life. However, being in touch with you along with getting into a regular feeding pattern will keep your baby’s blood sugar within range. 

Helps in Making Your Baby Latch Better

During “The Golden Hour” breastmilk production increases. Latching also comes to your newborn quite naturally and easily. (Sometimes, the hospital staff helps to make sure that the little one has a good latch). Research has further shown that babies at this hour will latch better and for longer hours. As far as your baby’s health is concerned, while your baby latches on to your breasts, the colostrum present will benefit your baby’s body with nutrition and antibiotics.

The Benefits of the Newmom “The Golden Hour” After Childbirth

You may either deliver normally or via an emergency c-section, giving birth to your child is a very big job. Labour and childbirth are indeed hard work. “The Golden Hour” is a peaceful and uninterrupted moment of your life. 

You’ll Breastfeed Longer Than Usual

Thanks to the hormonal flux in your body after childbirth, breast milk production is going to increase. You’d still need the help of a specialist to help you breastfeed the newborn. You may not be a perfectionist in the beginning, but learning the breastfeeding techniques will take some time. Practice will make you perfect. Continue feeding your baby as much as possible, and whenever you sense the cues. The number of times you feed your newborn baby; prolactin hormones will be released. There will also be a good supply of milk in the future. 

Your Stress Levels Will Reduce

The long pregnancy journey, labour, and delivery have left you exhausted, stress-out, anxious, and sleep-deprived. With your newborn in your arms and continuous feeding sessions, you’re going to feel much better and calmer. Your stress levels along with your baby will also start reducing. Thanks to the release of the oxytocin hormones. 

You’ll be able to Rest as Much as You Can

Once your little one has suckled to their heart’s content and has come off your breasts, it’s time for both of you to get some rest. Taking power naps whenever your baby falls asleep can reduce your pregnancy to delivery pain. Taking rest can also reduce your exertion to the extent possible and tend to bring your body back in shape.

Cord Clamping and Cutting Can Wait

During the 9 months of your pregnancy, the umbilical cord (along with the cord blood) was the route to pass down the all-essential oxygen, blood, and nutrients from you to your baby. Earlier the umbilical cord cutting took place within a few seconds after the baby’s birth. The trend in the medical fraternity has changed. Nowadays, healthcare practitioners take around 30 to 60 seconds to clamp and cut the umbilical cord. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) delayed cord blood clamping and cutting is beneficial as there is a continuous inflow of iron-rich blood from the placenta to your newborn baby. 

Cord Blood Collection for Banking Can Fit in

You must have planned and discussed about banking your baby’s cord blood with your partner, the rest of your family members, and the cord blood bank in your pregnancy. With that thought in mind, you’d have to carry the cord blood collection kit to the hospital. After childbirth, the rest of the procedure – from cord blood collection, and processing to banking takes place easily.

The Golden Hour is the most special time of your life. Don’t you just enjoy the coos?

Hope you have a healthy start to parenting too.