Why Delayed Cord Clamping Matters
The placenta’s final surge
We all know the placenta is the lifeline that nourishes your baby throughout pregnancy, but many people don’t realize that this incredible organ offers one final, powerful surge after birth.
In most hospitals, it’s still standard practice to clamp the umbilical cord almost immediately. When that happens, the baby misses out on a crucial transfusion of blood, oxygen, nutrients, and protective cells — just when they need it most.
Iron stores and long-term health
One of the most important reasons to delay cord clamping is the boost in iron stores, which play a critical role in early development.
Did you know that between 6–12 months of age, babies actually require more daily iron (11 mg) than an adult male (8 mg)? That’s why iron-rich foods are so emphasized when starting solids.
Diet isn’t the only factor, though. Babies who receive delayed cord clamping are far better equipped from the start.
According to a Cochrane Review, babies who undergo immediate cord clamping are:
Over 50% more likely to be iron deficient at 6 months
More likely to have lower hemoglobin levels at 24–48 hours after birth
As the review states:
“There is growing evidence that delaying cord clamping confers improved iron status in infants up to six months post birth.”
Other benefits of delayed cord clamping
Studies also show that babies who experience delayed cord clamping have a significantly higher birth weight — on average, 101 grams more than those whose cords were clamped immediately.
That’s because delayed cord clamping provides babies with up to a third of their total blood volume. This vital transfer includes:
Oxygen to vital organs
Vitamins, minerals, and nutrients
Red and white blood cells
Immune cells and stem cells
In fact, immediate cord clamping can leave a baby with up to 30% less of these essential cells.
There are maternal benefits too, including a shortened third stage of labor and a reduced risk of retained placenta.
Image of an unclamped cord over 15 minutes
Image from Nurturing Hearts Birth Services
So, when should the cord be clamped?
The term “delayed” can vary, so it’s important to advocate for a truly physiological approach.
Ideally, the cord should not be clamped until it has:
Completely stopped pulsing
Lightened in color (blanched)
Become limp
This allows the baby to receive the full transfusion of blood and nutrients intended for them.
“Another thing very injurious to the child is the tying and cutting of the navel string too soon; which should always be left till the child has not only repeatedly breathed but till all pulsation in the cord ceases. As otherwise the child is much weaker than it ought to be, a part of the blood being left in the placenta which ought to have been in the child.”
— Erasmus Darwin, 1801
Yes, we knew how critical delayed cord clamping was over 220 years ago**,** and now we have the modern research to back it up. So why is early clamping still the norm in most hospital births?
Every birth looks different — here’s what matters
If you’re pregnant, discuss this practice with your healthcare provider to determine if it can be implemented at your birth.
If your birth circumstances didn’t allow for delayed clamping, please know there are still ways to support your baby’s iron levels and development. Placing a strong focus on iron-rich first foods when starting solids can make a meaningful difference.
Change starts with informed support
When we understand the science and the wisdom behind practices like delayed cord clamping, we can better support mothers and babies from the very beginning.
Become a Certified Nutrition Consultant and help families make informed, evidence-based choices that can make a lifelong impact during pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
