Holding On to What Matters Most: Your Baby’s First Hour

Everything changes the moment your baby comes into the world. In that quiet first hour, often lovingly called the “Golden Hour”, life begins anew.

Being a renowned maternity hospital in Bangalore, we at Aastrika Midwifery Centre(AMC) recognise the benefits of this hour for both mother and baby. It’s not just about clinical protocols—it’s where a bond begins, instincts awaken, and families connect.

Here’s why it matters — and how AMC ensures that every birth honours it.

Now, why is this hour so remarkable?

The International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics recommends initiating breastfeeding within the first hour—highlighting its role in preventing postpartum haemorrhage and supporting uterine contraction and breastfeeding. Skin-to-skin contact during this period has also been shown to stabilise newborn vitals, like heart rate, breathing, body temperature and blood sugar, and bolster breastfeeding success.

When your newborn baby is placed on your chest, skin-to-skin, something remarkable happens. Their heartbeat slows, their breathing becomes steady, and they begin to look for their first feed. That closeness, right after birth, helps your baby adjust to life outside the womb—and helps you settle into this brand-new role. Even after caesarean births, babies who spent time skin-to-skin with their mothers were able to latch faster and stay calmer.

It’s more than a cuddle—it’s a new beginning.

The benefits aren’t just for the baby. That first hour is deeply healing for the mother too.
Oxytocin, the hormone of bonding, gets released in generous amounts during skin-to-skin and early breastfeeding. It helps your uterus contract, reduces blood loss, calms your mind, and even helps ease pain.

Studies affirm that babies fed within the Golden Hour receive colostrum—a powerful immunological and nutritional boost—and are more likely to exclusively breastfeed, reducing risks of pneumonia, gastrointestinal infections, and future disease.

How Aastrika puts the Golden Hour at the center of care

At Aastrika, we’ve placed a high emphasis on the golden hour.. It’s not something we “support”—it’s something we fiercely protect.

Here’s how we set ourselves apart in maternity care in Bangalore:

• At least 60 minutes of skin-to-skin care. If the baby is healthy, we prioritize bonding and breastfeeding. Immediate contact even in the operating theatre or recovery room for caesareans. Our team is trained to prioritise your connection.
• Personalised environment. The room is kept calm, quiet, and warm so you and your baby can focus on each other.
• Partners stay close. Whether supporting you or holding your baby while you rest, we make space for shared bonding.

And behind every one of these steps is a trained, respectful care team—ready to support your decisions and honour your rhythm.

How you can embrace this moment too

You don’t have to wait until labour day to discuss the Golden Hour with your care team:

• Put it in your birth plan: Ask your provider to note uninterrupted skin-to-skin as a priority
• Discuss it during prenatal visits: Talk about your expectations early on. It opens up trust and collaboration
• Bring your partner into the plan: They can help advocate for this moment and participate in it, too

If you’re considering maternity care in Bangalore, these are questions worth asking wherever you go.

Is this just for normal births? Absolutely not.

Many parents worry that a surgical birth means missing out. But with planning and the right support, your baby can still meet you within minutes of birth. We bring the baby over to skin-to-skin as soon as you’re stable, even while your procedure finishes. No compromise needed on closeness, calm, or connection.

From our hearts to yours

At Aastrika, we’re here to make sure that the first hello with your newborn is never rushed, never delayed.

If you’re exploring options for maternity care in Bangalore, look into what happens in that first hour. Not just “Do you offer skin-to-skin?” but “Do you prioritise it?”

Because at the end of the day, being the best pregnancy hospital in Bangalore isn’t about claims—it’s about choices: the little ones that shape your journey, your baby’s journey, your family’s future.