When it comes to a newborn’s first days of life, timing is everything — especially when it comes to breastfeeding.

At SafeCirc, we believe in supporting whole baby health, not just performing procedures. That’s why we strongly advocate delaying circumcision beyond the first 24 hours of life.

What Is the Golden Hour?

The golden hour refers to the first 60–90 minutes after birth, when skin-to-skin contact and uninterrupted bonding lay the foundation for successful breastfeeding. This early period helps:

Stabilize the newborn’s temperature and blood sugar
Trigger maternal milk production
Encourage the infant’s instinctive rooting and latching behavior
Strengthen parent-infant attachment

This delicate window is followed by the first days postpartum, when establishing lactation takes priority — and requires calm, consistent feeding patterns.

How Circumcision Can Disrupt Breastfeeding

In many U.S. hospitals, circumcision is routinely offered within the first 24 hours of life — often before breastfeeding is well established. This timing poses real challenges:

Post-Procedure Sleepiness

Newborns may become unusually sleepy or irritable after circumcision, making latching and feeding more difficult.

Increased Stress for Parents

For new parents learning to breastfeed, the added stress of a surgical procedure — plus caring for a healing infant — can reduce confidence and disrupt the feeding routine.

No Other Country Does This

It may come as a surprise, but the United States is the only country in the world where circumcision is routinely performed within the first 24 hours of life.

In countries where circumcision is commonly practiced — including in parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia — the procedure is usually delayed until days, weeks, or even years after birth. These delays are made intentionally, both for medical safety and to allow time for bonding, healing, and feeding.

The American Academy of Pediatrics even recommends waiting until the baby is medically stable and feeding well, typically after 24 hours — yet hospital workflows don’t always follow this guidance.

SafeCirc: Supporting Breastfeeding, Honoring Timing

At SafeCirc, we’ve reimagined infant circumcision as a family-centered, respectful process, not a rushed hospital add-on. That means:

We never perform circumcisions in the first 24 hours of life.
We encourage families to focus on breastfeeding and early bonding before considering the procedure.

We offer flexible scheduling for when the time is right — after your baby is feeding well and you’ve had time to recover and connect.

A Better Way

Your baby’s first hours and days are sacred. They should be spent holding, feeding, and getting to know each other — not rushing into medical procedures.

SafeCirc is here when the time is right. If you’ve chosen circumcision for your son, we’ll help you do it safely, gently, and in a way that supports your breastfeeding journey.

The Golden Hour: Why Timing Matters for Breastfeeding and Circumcision