The Golden Hour & The Newborn Crawl:Sacred Beginnings for Baby and Mother
- Jordan Zabawa
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
Sacred Beginnings for Baby and Mother
As a birth doula with a deep belief in God’s perfect design, I am constantly in awe of how intricately our bodies and our babies are created to work together—especially in those very first moments after birth. One of the most beautiful examples of this is what’s called The Golden Hour—the first hour after birth—and within it, the incredible instinctive behavior known as The Newborn Crawl, or breast crawl.
These are not just sweet moments; they’re biologically and spiritually important. Let’s take a closer look at what the Golden Hour is, what happens during the Newborn Crawl, and why protecting this time can lead to better health outcomes for both mother and baby.
What Is the Golden Hour?
The Golden Hour refers to the uninterrupted first hour after birth, where baby is placed skin-to-skin on the mother’s chest. This period is biologically powerful and emotionally sacred. It supports bonding, breastfeeding, and regulation of baby’s temperature, breathing, and heart rate.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
“Skin-to-skin contact should be initiated immediately after birth and continued for at least one hour to promote breastfeeding and thermal regulation.”
This hour is when your baby transitions from womb to world. It's a time for calm, connection, and communion—a natural continuation of the pregnancy journey.
What Is the Newborn Crawl?
Perhaps one of the most miraculous sights to witness is the Newborn Crawl—a baby’s instinctive journey to the breast, all on their own. When placed skin-to-skin on the mother’s chest, newborns often begin to use their senses—smell, touch, and taste—to find the breast and initiate the first latch without help.
This process typically unfolds in nine stages: birth cry, relaxation, awakening, activity, resting, crawling, familiarization, sucking, and finally, sleeping.
And yes, your baby was designed by God to do this!
Researchers have found that this natural behavior is most likely to occur when the Golden Hour is undisturbed—no routine weighing, bathing, or even unnecessary suctioning.
Why Is the Golden Hour So Important?
Here are just a few of the amazing benefits of this sacred hour of skin-to-skin:
1. Stabilizes Baby’s Vital Signs
Babies placed on their mother’s chest are better able to regulate their body temperature, breathing, and blood sugar. The mother’s chest acts like a biological incubator—warming or cooling as needed.
2. Enhances Breastfeeding Success
The Golden Hour is linked to increased breastfeeding rates and longer breastfeeding duration. Early suckling helps stimulate oxytocin, promotes bonding, and encourages milk production.
3. Reduces Stress and Crying
Babies cry less and are calmer when skin-to-skin with mom. Likewise, mothers experience lower levels of anxiety and are more likely to describe their birth as positive and empowering.
4. Supports Maternal Bonding and Confidence
A peaceful beginning can increase maternal confidence and foster a deep emotional connection—what many moms describe as a sacred first meeting with their baby.
A Spiritual View of the Golden Hour
As Christians, we can also view this hour through the lens of sacred time. Just as Jesus came into the world wrapped in the arms of His mother, our babies deserve the same soft, safe beginning. The Golden Hour mirrors the Incarnation—God meeting us in the flesh, through closeness and love.
Psalm 139:13 reminds us:
“You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb.”
That same divine knitting continues after birth—baby and mother learning each other again, skin-to-skin, heart-to-heart.
How to Protect the Golden Hour
Even in hospital settings, you can advocate for this time. Talk with your care provider ahead of time and consider including the following in your birth preferences:
Immediate skin-to-skin, even in cesarean births if possible
Delayed routine procedures (weighing, shots, etc.)
Delayed cord clamping
Quiet, low-intervention space
Support for the newborn crawl and first breastfeeding attempt
Final Thoughts
God designed your body and your baby to do amazing things together. The Golden Hour is not just a medical recommendation—it’s a holy beginning. It’s a reminder that birth is not only a physical act, but a spiritual one.
As a doula, I encourage you to embrace this hour with intention, prayer, and peace. Let it be slow. Let it be sacred. Let it be yours.
References
Christensson, K. et al. (1992). Skin-to-skin contact increases self-regulation in newborns. Acta Paediatrica.
Moore, E. R., Bergman, N., Anderson, G. C., & Medley, N. (2016). Early skin-to-skin contact for mothers and their healthy newborn infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Widström, A. M., Ransjö-Arvidson, A. B., Christensson, K., et al. (1990). Gastric suction in healthy newborn infants: Effects on circulation and stress responses. Birth.
World Health Organization. (2017). Protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding in facilities providing maternity and newborn services: Guideline.
Psalm 139:13, (RSV-CE)