Jackson Hospital | Partners | Fall 2020

jackson.org 11 The first hour of life , commonly referred to as the “golden hour,” is a magi- cal moment for your new family. With the rush and excitement during birth, it is important to spend these first few moments with your new baby enjoying skin-to-skin contact. Skin-to-skin contact is an important bonding time for the baby and new mom in which your baby is placed chest down on your chest right after birth. Nurses can dry your baby off and cover you both with a warm towel while you get to know your new bundle of joy! Healthier moms and babies There are many health benefits to skin- to-skin contact, for both you and baby. Newborns who are placed skin to skin immediately following birth tend to stay warmer and calmer, cry less, have better blood sugar levels, and feed better. A new mother who has skin-to-skin contact with her new baby releases a hormone that helps her recover faster, have less cuddling The golden hour of Skin-to-skin contact gives baby a warmwelcome to the world. bleeding and have a lower risk of post- partum depression. During this first hour of life, your baby will also be very alert. They will open their eyes, look at you and listen for your voice. Talking to your baby in a soothing voice will help calm them and make a warm welcome into the world. As your baby is transitioning into this new world, they crave the skin-to-skin contact and familiar sounds of their mother’s heartbeat. They are coming from a warm and familiar place into a bright hospital room, and skin-to-skin contact is more like that warm, familiar place they have called home for nine months. No matter how you choose to feed your baby, skin-to-skin contact for at least one hour helps create a welcoming bond. This bonding time can help your baby learn to move to your breast using their natural instincts to feed. Babies who experience skin-to-skin contact with their mothers nurse an average of six weeks longer. AT HOME AND BONDING TIME WITH DADS Skin-to-skin contact during the first hour of life is important, but don’t stop cuddling your baby when you leave the hospital. Cuddling during breast- or bottle-feeding, first thing in the morning or right after bath time, will help your baby feel safe and secure. Dad is important in skin-to-skin contact as well. Allow dad to hold the baby on his bare chest to help create the emotional connection between him and baby. While birth can be a whirlwind of emotions, don’t let that stop you from slowing down and experiencing the joy of skin-to- skin contact. Make sure your doctor and delivery team are aware of your wishes to enjoy skin-to-skin contact for your baby’s first hour of life, or lon- ger if you prefer. It may also be important to make your wishes clear to family and friends and postpone visitation until after you have bonded or had a chance to rest. Most of all, relax and get to know your precious baby!