The golden hour

The golden hour means that right after the birth your baby is placed on your chest, skin to skin, and stays there for at least an hour.

What the golden hour does:

• Your body and your baby’s body can let go of the stress of the birth. Skin-to-skin contact helps the body relax.
• It regulates your baby’s temperature and breathing.
• Your baby can look for the breast and start to suckle at their own pace, which matters a lot for breastfeeding later on.
• The golden hour adds to a mother’s confidence in herself.

To make room, time and quiet for the golden hour, it helps to discuss it with your partner and your midwife. A birth plan can be useful too.