Delaying umbilical cord clamping by a few minutes can significantly benefit a baby's neurodevelopment. Research shows that children whose cords were cut after three minutes had better social and fine motor skills compared to those cut within 10 seconds. Delayed clamping allows a natural blood transfusion from the placenta, providing essential iron for brain development, increasing iron stores by up to 47 mg, and preventing iron deficiency in the first year.

About one-third of the baby’s blood resides in the placenta at birth, supplying critical clotting factors, higher platelet levels, and stem cells vital for immune, respiratory, cardiovascular, and brain health. These stem cells, found in high concentrations in fetal blood, can aid in repairing brain damage from birth complications.

Immediate cord clamping leaves a large portion of this vital blood and stem cells in the placenta. Delayed clamping—ideally until the cord stops pulsing and turns white—ensures the baby receives maximum benefits for development and healing. ~ Midwife Tilly