Cutting the umbilical cord too early is putting babies’ health at risk, childbirth experts have warned.
Mounting evidence suggests that clamping the cord within seconds of the baby’s arrival deprives it of vital blood from the placenta – which can lead to iron deficiency and anaemia in later life.
Medical bodies, senior doctors and the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) want maternity staff to instead leave the umbilical cord untouched for anything from 30 seconds to whenever it stops pulsating naturally – usually within two to five minutes. (click above to read entire article…)