Why Delayed Cord Clamping Is Becoming the New Standard for Newborns

A growing body of research supports delayed cord clamping as a standard practice for newborns. Instead of cutting the umbilical cord immediately after birth, waiting one to three minutes can provide babies with extra blood and nutrients. Major health organisations now recommend this approach for both full-term and premature infants.

Before the 1990s, most hospitals clamped and cut the umbilical cord straight after delivery. Today, guidelines have shifted. The World Health Organization (WHO), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) all advise waiting at least 30 to 60 seconds for healthy newborns. For preterm babies, a delay of one to three minutes is now recommended.

Waiting just one minute allows about 80 millilitres of blood to transfer from the placenta to the baby. After three minutes, this rises to around 100 millilitres. The extra blood boosts hemoglobin and iron levels, lowering the risk of anaemia in full-term infants. Studies also suggest that children whose cords were clamped later scored slightly higher in fine motor and social skills assessments.

For premature babies, the benefits are even clearer. Delayed clamping improves circulation, reducing the need for blood transfusions. It also lowers the risk of brain bleeding and necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious intestinal condition. While there is a small increase in jaundice risk, medical experts argue that phototherapy can manage this effectively.

Despite these findings, many US hospitals still practice early clamping. However, since the 2010s, delayed clamping has become standard in most developed countries and many developing nations.

The shift toward delayed cord clamping reflects strong evidence of its advantages. Newborns gain extra blood volume, improved iron stores, and better health outcomes—especially those born early. With major health bodies backing the practice, more hospitals are expected to adopt it as routine care.