The Power of Skin-to-Skin: Why the Golden Hour (and Beyond) Matters for You and Your Baby
The Power of Skin-to-Skin: Why the Golden Hour (and Beyond) Matters for You and Your Baby
Bringing new life into the world is an extraordinary journey—and those first moments after birth are more than just beautiful; they’re biologically and emotionally essential. At Tailor Made Doulas, we believe in supporting families across the greater Sacramento area—including Folsom, Roseville, Rocklin, Placerville, and beyond—through every stage of the birthing experience. One of the most powerful tools we educate our families about is the practice of skin-to-skin contact during what’s known as the Golden Hour and beyond.
What Is the Golden Hour?
The Golden Hour refers to the first 60 minutes after birth, a sacred window of time when uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact between baby and parent can set the tone for bonding, breastfeeding success, and long-term wellness. During this hour, your baby is placed directly on your bare chest, ideally without any unnecessary medical interventions or separations, unless clinically necessary.
Hormonal & Physiological Benefits
During skin-to-skin contact, a cascade of hormones is released—for both you and your baby. Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” surges during this time, helping your uterus contract to reduce bleeding and strengthening the emotional connection between you and your baby. Your baby’s body temperature, heart rate, and breathing also regulate more quickly against your skin compared to being placed in a bassinet.
Babies who experience immediate skin-to-skin are also more likely to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour—a critical window for establishing a successful latch and milk production. At Tailor Made Doulas, our lactation support services build on this foundation to guide you through your breastfeeding journey.
Psychological Benefits for Parent & Baby
Skin-to-skin contact has powerful psychological effects. It reduces parental anxiety, improves confidence in early parenting, and enhances emotional bonding. For your baby, it creates a feeling of safety, security, and calm—fostering emotional regulation and trust from the very beginning.
As your birth and postpartum doulas, we help advocate for and protect these precious moments. We educate our clients on how to plan for skin-to-skin, even in the event of a cesarean birth, and we encourage the continuation of this practice well into the postpartum period.
Skin-to-Skin Beyond the Golden Hour
The benefits of skin-to-skin extend well beyond the delivery room. Continued skin-to-skin contact in the days and weeks after birth supports newborn care, improves sleep, supports healthy weight gain, and even reduces infant crying. It also promotes continued milk production and bonding, making it an essential part of postpartum recovery and early parenting.
Our postpartum doula services and newborn care education include tools and guidance to hel
