Your baby has finally arrived- congratulations!
The first few hours after birth are often called the "golden window". This special time helps both you and your baby adjust to life after birth. While there's a lot happening behind the scenes, it's also a wonderful opportunity to slow down, connect, and enjoy those very first moments together.
Skin-to-Skin: More Than Just a Cuddle
Soon after birth, your baby will usually be placed directly onto your chest. This is called skin-to-skin contact, and it's one of the most beneficial things you can do for your newborn.
For the past nine months, your baby has been listening to your heartbeat, hearing your voice, and feeling safe and warm inside the womb. Birth is a huge transition, and skin-to-skin helps them feel secure as they adjust to their new surroundings.
Being close to you helps regulate your baby's temperature, breathing and heart rate, while also encouraging the release of oxytocin- often known as the "love hormone"- helping to strengthen your bond.
Delayed Cord Clamping
When babies are born, they are still attached to the placenta by the umbilical cord. In most situations, healthcare professionals recommend waiting a little while before clamping and cutting the cord. This is known as delayed cord clamping.
During these first few minutes after birth, blood continues to flow from the placenta to your baby. This can increase their iron stores and may help reduce the risk of anaemia during the first months of life. Some parents choose to wait until the cord has stopped pulsing or turned pale and white before it is cut, sometimes known as optimal cord clamping.
Your Baby's First Feed
Your baby's first feed is another important part of the golden window. Whether you choose to breastfeed or formula feed, offering a feed within the first couple of hours can help your baby settle and begin adapting to life outside the womb.
If you're breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact often encourages babies to show feeding cues naturally. Some babies feed straight away, while others take a little more time - and that's perfectly normal.
Midwife Emily’s Top Tips
The first few hours after birth pass incredibly quickly, so make the most of them:
- Take plenty of photos and ask your midwife to capture those first family moments.
- Have something to eat and drink after the hard work of labour and birth.
- Don't feel pressured to reply to messages straight away – family and friends can wait.
These first moments only happen once. Take your time, soak it all in, and enjoy getting to know your new baby.
