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When a baby is born, the first hour of life, known as the “golden hour”, is more than a mere beginning – it’s a critical time for establishing a strong foundation for the baby’s health and emotional well-being. During this period, early breastfeeding provides the newborn with colostrum, often called “liquid gold,” a nutrient-rich substance packed with protective and healing properties. The combination of skin-to-skin contact and colostrum in this golden hour has incredible benefits, helping newborns adjust from life in the womb to life outside with a boost to their immune system and emotional security.
Colostrum: Nature’s First Immunization
Colostrum is the initial milk produced by mothers in the first 2 to 3 days after birth. It’s different from the milk that comes in later, as it’s thicker, more concentrated, and loaded with immunity boosting and nutritional benefits. This liquid gold contains antibodies, especially immunoglobulin A (IgA), which coats the baby’s gastrointestinal tract, forming a protective barrier against harmful bacteria and viruses. Colostrum essentially serves as the baby’s first vaccine, strengthening their immune system and helping keep away infections during those vulnerable early days.
Beyond its immunity-boosting properties, colostrum has a natural laxative effect, helping newborns pass meconium, their first stool. Meconium is thick and sticky, and getting it out is essential to remove bilirubin from the baby’s system, reducing the risk of newborn jaundice. This cleansing effect is yet another way colostrum sets up a newborn for a healthy start.
The Golden Hour: Building Bonds and Supporting Baby’s Transition
The golden hour refers to the first hour after birth, a time for a mother and baby to have uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact. This close, calming connection offers both physical and emotional benefits, allowing the baby to adapt gently to their new world outside the womb. For many new parents, this skin-to-skin time creates a profound bonding experience, establishing a sense of security and warmth that reassures the baby in their new environment.
Holding the baby close to the mother’s chest has been shown to regulate the baby’s body temperature naturally. Newborn babies cannot fully control their body temperature on their own, so this warmth helps keep them cozy and stable. Skin-to-skin contact also helps to stabilize the baby’s blood sugar levels, supporting brain development and preventing early low sugar levels which can occur in newborns as they adjust to feeding.
Moreover, skin-to-skin contact during the golden hour helps soothe and calm the baby, which is especially helpful as they transition from the quiet, dark world of the womb to the bright and often overwhelming outside world. The gentle rhythms of the mother’s heartbeat and breathing are familiar sounds that provide comfort to the newborn.
If for some reason skin to skin contact is not possible with the mother during the golden hour, the same can be initiated with the father. This can have the same benefits in helping the baby transition to life outside the womb.
A Smooth Start with Lasting Benefits
The combined benefits of colostrum and the golden hour help set the tone for a smooth transition into life, offering immunity, nourishment, warmth, and a powerful bond. For new parents, understanding the significance of these first moments encourages them to embrace this natural process, building the foundation for a healthy and connected journey ahead.
By
Sonali Shivlani
Sonali Shivlani is a pregnancy and parenting consultant with over 20 years of experience. As the founder of Baby360degrees – www.baby360degrees.com, she offers both online and offline pregnancy and parenting classes, and is a visiting consultant at PD Hinduja Hospital and Women’s Hospital, Khar, Mumbai. Sonali is also the Executive Director of CAPPA India, a training institute which trains and certifies birth professionals across the country. She has authored multiple books, serves on the expert panel of several parenting websites and has been a guest speaker at national and international events and conferences.
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