Why skin-to-skin contact in the first hour after birth matters. The first Golden Hour is a special time for you and your newborn. Caring for your baby in a calm, peaceful environment can bring significant short- and long-term benefits for both mother and child. During this time, the focus should be on your baby’s first breastfeed and on nurturing early bonding. Most newborn care and assessments — such as cleaning, weighing, and Apgar scoring — can be carried out while your ba