What is the golden hour after birth?
The first hour after birth when a mother has uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact with her newborn is referred to as the “golden hour.” This period of time is critical for a newborn baby who spent the past nine months in a controlled environment. Why is the first hour after birth important? Breastfeeding within the first hour allows the infant to receive the benefits of the mother's colostrum, a nutrient-filled fluid produced before milk is released, which can help boost the baby's newly developing immune system and protect them from illnesses in their first few months.