The Golden Hours: A Physiological Blueprint
Photo by Emma Hartvig
The Golden Hour(s) is a term used to describe the uninterrupted time immediately after birth, when you and your babe(s) are getting to know one another outside of the womb. Babies want to be close – it is biologically innate – and the golden hour(s) after birth can be an oxytocin fuelled love-cocoon that lays the foundation for safety and connection.
Closeness and touch is deeply nurturing for babies of all ages, and skin-to-skin care (SSC) especially so. It lowers cortisol (stress), builds strong neural pathways and helps sustain lactation.
Most care providers are aware of the benefits of SSC in the immediate hours after birth (regardless of how the baby is born), however, dialogue surrounding SSC in the ongoing postpartum is less common.
From a physiological perspective, research shows that SSC with a parent or caregiver supports healthy brain development and function, improves sleep and wakeful alert patterns, decreases crying episodes and duration, cultivates the immune system and microbiome, reduces pain responses in babies, and elevates oxytocin levels. Interestingly, longitudinal studies show these elevated oxytocin levels are also reflected in parents and caregivers.
Being physically close also promotes regulation of the baby’s autonomic nervous system – resulting in a shift from sympathetic dominance (fight or flight) towards parasympathetic dominance (rest and digest). This practice is more than just an hour or two immediately after birth – it anchors us in our bodies, it creates space for healing to happen, and relationally it supports co-regulation with the babies in our care.
I also want to say that if you were unable to get immediate skin-to-skin after birth due to complications or you just weren’t given the chance – it’s not too late! Snuggling with your child, holding their little bodies close, and smelling their familiar smell is physiologically normal. This is innate behavior for babies and their caregivers. You are creating a blueprint for a safe and secure attachment. These golden hours skin-to-skin, heart to heart are precious, and have long term benefits for the whole family
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What is Skin-to-Skin Care?
- Skin-to-skin care (SSC) is where baby is placed naked (or wearing a diaper) on their parent or caregivers chest, allowing full bare chest to bare chest contact and nerve stimulation. Baby can be covered with a warm blanket, or sometimes worn in a wrap carrier that allows for direct skin contact.
- SSC is typically recommended immediately after birth for term infants (it can sometimes be overstimulating for preemies), but it remains beneficial for older infants as well. SSC can be given as long as possible and as frequently as possible during postpartum - go with what feels comfortable for you and your baby (or toddler).
Why Skin-to-Skin?
From immediately after birth, right through the extended postpartum (12+weeks) SSC provides numerous benefits for both parent(s) and baby.
For the baby:
higher levels of oxytocin for both parent(s) and baby
better deep sleep and quiet alert periods
lowers cortisol (stress) and pain responses
boosts brain development and function
increased autonomic functioning
improved physiological function including heart rate, blood oxygenation, temperature regulation, respiration and gastrointestinal adaption
For the parent(s):
higher levels of oxytocin for both parent(s) and baby
promotes prolactin and supports lactation
imporved matenal / parent and child attachment
reduced cortisol levels and phsysiological stress
thought to be a protective factor againts postpartum depression symptoms
triggers release of beta-endorphin, an analgesic-like hormone that reinforces calm and connection between parent and child
improves milk volume if the nursing parent expresses / nurses following a period of SSC, with the milk containing the most up to date antibodies
How can I do skin-to-skin?
Research suggests that baby should be held for at least 60 minutes to elicit the hormonal cascade delivery benefits SSC. However, even just 10 minutes is beneficial.These benefits are apparent with both gestational and non-gestational parents, and other caregivers.
You could try SSC:
immediately after birth or in the hours following
by sharing a bath with your baby/child
during and after nursing or pumping
while bottle or SNS feeding
while your baby sleeps
Research:
Moore ER, Bergman N, Anderson GC, Medley N. Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants.
Bigelow AE, Power M. Mother-Infant Skin-to-Skin Contact: Short- and Long-Term Effects for Mothers and Their Children Born Full-Term.
Hubbard JM, Gattman KR. Parent-Infant Skin-to-Skin Contact Following Birth: History, Benefits, and Challenges.
22.12.2021
