The first hour after birth is also called the Golden Hour (as in photography, the short period when the sun rises and sets). A special time because something subtle happens in this hour. These are your baby’s first experiences in the world, for the first time without the warm and enveloping womb feeling. More and more studies are showing how much influence those first impressions have on your child’s later development. In this article, Esmarel Gasman, founder of Dalalou, offers some important tips on how to make this magical hour the best it can be, both in natural birth and cesarean section, in order to give your baby the best possible start.
Actually, an hour is a little too short to encompass this important moment. In fact, it is about the first two hours after birth when your baby is very awake and alert and where bonding is supposed to take place. Mother Nature has nicely arranged that again, by ensuring that this is precisely when the baby is awake. After all, this is where that first important imprinting takes place and where the baby will prefer to drink from mom for the first time.
Soft
To take full advantage of these first moments that nature has built into us for a reason, you must ensure that the first few hours are as peaceful as possible for mother and baby. If possible, you want that first time to have as little outside intervention as possible. Measuring, weighing and testing can often be done later, and the most important thing is to keep mother and child together whenever possible. Make sure the baby has a quiet and gentle welcome. Preferably as few stimuli and soft light in the room as possible. Just like the golden light during sunrise and sunset.
Browse
Let your baby lie skin-to-skin with you. This produces endorphins and oxytocin and will make your baby smell & feel you at your best and feel welcome and accepted. In the mother, skin on skin also contributes to the contraction of the uterus, allowing the placenta to be released more easily, which in turn contributes to faster recovery of the wound in the uterus and thus reduces blood loss. Oxytocin also helps with the breastfeeding reflex.
Imprint
Imprinting is the moment when your newborn baby first makes eye contact. This moment stores your baby very deeply in his hyper-sensitive brain. Research shows that for the first few months, your little one is most easily comforted by the eyes he has been imprinted with in those first few seconds after birth. So make sure these are the eyes of you or another primary caregiver.
You may choose to make eye contact and skin-to-skin contact for at least 15 minutes. Lay your baby on your stomach or chest so that eye contact can be made easily. Take your time for this first introduction.
Your birth partner can take on the important role of protector at this stage. You want to focus entirely on imprinting and introductions so you may use someone else to make sure your other wishes are met.
Breastfeeding
The important moment of first breastfeeding also takes place. The most optimal thing is to let your baby find the nipple on his own, because by doing so you give him his first experience of success right away. If you allow your baby to latch on by himself, this experience too will be forever imprinted in his life. Again, as little outside stimulation as possible and give mother and child all the space they need for all the hormones to flow optimally. The baby is awake and bright, will look at those holding him, can find the breast and suck on it (vigorously). These are very important first moments in the life of the brand-new baby and mother.
Even if there is (unexpectedly) a cesarean section or interventions, there are often times to put the baby down with the mother for a time. Make the most of these moments.
Catching up
The important moment of first breastfeeding also takes place. The most optimal thing is to let your baby find the nipple on his own, because by doing so you give him his first experience of success right away. If you allow your baby to latch on by himself, this experience too will be forever imprinted in his life. Again, as little outside stimulation as possible and give mother and child all the space they need to keep all the hormones flowing optimally. The baby is awake and bright, will look at those holding him, can find the breast and suck on it (vigorously). These are very important first moments in the life of the brand-new baby and mother.
Even if there is (unexpectedly) a cesarean section or interventions, there are often times to put the baby down with the mother for a time. Make the most of these moments.
Worth gold
Or in other words, those first hours are golden and it pays to make sure there is little intervention wherever possible, lots of skin-to-skin contact, little stimulation and quiet together to lay an important foundation between you and your baby and fall in love forever.
This article was written by Esmarel Gasman, founder of Dalalou, sustainable entrepreneur and blogger on natural parenting.
Dalalou wants to contribute to a gentle birth & relaxed maternity period. She therefore has natural maternity packages put together to relieve you as much as possible during the birth and maternity period, let you unwind and get off to a healthy start. The packages are filled with products ofnatural origin, chlorine-free, biodegradable and produced in a way that is as friendly as possible to a human, animal and earth. Treat yourself & your baby to such a sustainable & loving package to make a healthy & conscious start together. With the maternity package, you will also receive the digital magazine Yippie! About natural pregnancy, birth & maternity with great tips on relaxed childbirth, natural outfits and great discount codes.
