The “Golden Hour” After Birth Is Priceless

You may not have heard the term golden hour yet, but you’ll know exactly what it means by the end of this piece. The golden hour is the period immediately after birth when baby is placed directly on mum’s chest for skin-to-skin and can begin to root and try to feed. It typically spans 1 to 4 hours and matters deeply for both mum and baby. During this time, newborns move through a programmed sequence: they cry at birth, settle in a relaxed state on the chest, become more alert and active, then crawl towards the breast, explore, and around the end of the first hour usually start feeding. Afterwards, many drift into a satisfied sleep. Skin-to-skin contact sets this in motion.

Why the golden hour matters

Birth is a huge transition even when everything is calm and unfolds as hoped. Some babies arrive after labour starts naturally; others follow an induction or caesarean. Either way, the journey leads into the unknown, which can feel strange for a newborn.

Physically, everything changes at once. Baby separates from the placenta, now relies on the outside world for oxygen and nutrition, and begins to breathe with the lungs. In the best case, those challenges are followed by soothing golden-hour time: baby realises that mum is close, hears her familiar voice, smells her scent and may begin to feed. The outside world feels new yet safe.

How much influence can you have over care and routines?

Some hospitals still don’t routinely support a fully uninterrupted golden hour. Older habits, such as early cord clamping and swift dressing, can interrupt immediate skin-to-skin.

A birth plan can help. In short, it’s an open conversation between you and your maternity team, sharing what you’d value if circumstances allow. We can’t plan birth in detail, but we can set preferences that reflect our values.

The hardest part is often aligning personal wishes with what staff can safely support. To avoid your requests feeling like mistrust, frame them positively: you trust their expertise and the supportive environment, and there are a few elements that matter to you if all is well with you and your baby.

Clear, calm, assertive communication helps your requests be heard. Know what you want to ask for, and be ready to discuss it without losing confidence. Keep in mind there may be moments when, for health reasons, the team needs to decide differently.

Cross-link idea to earlier article: Birth Plan

Preparing for the golden hour

Hospitals often follow local protocols. If you want certain things to happen around birth, talk about them in advance. State clearly what you’d like, and discuss it with the midwives and doctors. Agree the points with your birth partner, who can speak up for you if your focus needs to be elsewhere.

It also helps to know when to let go. If a true medical reason prevents your preferences, trust that the priority is your and your baby’s wellbeing.

The golden hour feels magical

How it unfolds depends on the birth and the unit’s approach. Ideally, the uninterrupted 1–4 hours begins straight away. Many newborns lie on mum’s chest unclothed (vernix and all), sometimes with the cord still attached until it stops pulsing. The feelings for mum can be profound and long-lasting.

Hormonal shifts play a big part, particularly oxytocin, which supports bonding. Oxytocin release also helps the uterus contract and reduces bleeding, while emotionally reinforcing the sense of “I will care for this little person.”

Baby learns that the chest is a place of safety and that feeding is close at hand. When health allows, these hours are hugely valuable.

If the golden hour doesn’t happen

Sometimes newborns need immediate medical care, for example time in an incubator. It helps to remember that if the golden hour is missed, health comes first, and bonding can still be fostered in many other ways: feeding, holding, caring, touch and time.

In the first six weeks, you can often “recreate” elements of the golden hour with frequent skin-to-skin, unhurried feeds, cuddles, rocking and focused attention.

After a caesarean: can you still have a golden hour?

Increasingly, units support gentle caesareans, where babies are placed on mum’s chest in theatre if everyone is well. If that isn’t possible, baby can go skin-to-skin with dad or your chosen birth partner until you are ready to hold them. An “hour with dad” is different, but it can ease early separation and keep baby calm and warm.

The golden hour is a natural rite of passage for both mother and child. Psychologically, it marks the moment they step together from one life stage into the next.

References:

NHS: Skin-to-skin with your newborn

UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative: Skin-to-skin contact