Waiting to clamp the umbilical cord after birth has lasting health benefits for babies

[heatstreak]

Delaying clamping the umbilical cord at birth by roughly two minutes can give newborns a health boost that carries through the early months of their lives, a new study suggests.

Late clamping, as it is called, allows more blood from the cord and the placenta to flow into the infant, raising iron levels and decreasing the risk of anemia in the first weeks and months of life, McMaster University researchers suggested in the article, published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

“Although this is of particular importance for developing countries in which anemia during infancy and childhood is prevalent, it is likely to have an important impact on all newborns, regardless of birth setting,” the authors said.

But late clamping isn't widely practised in developed countries and this paper may not change that fact, according to an editorial in the same issue of the journal.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070320.wumbilical0320/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home

[niyad]

1. welcome to DU--

[niyad]

2. k & r--

[babylonsister]

3. Welcome to DU! We also have a health group:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=222

[Ilsa]

4. Glad you posted this. Midwives wait for he pulsing in the cord

to slow down or stop, and yes, it may take a few minutes. I've never understood why rapid clamping was such an imperative thing unless there was a blood incompatability problem.

/my pediatrician didn't even bother testing iron RBC/Hct levels in my second child, but did for my first son. Both were breastfed long term, too, not on any formula.

Thanks for posting this.

[heatstreak]

5. kicking just for informational purposes