Premature babies: Hold off on clamping the umbilical cord

There is no standardised practice as to how long to wait before cutting the umbilical cord during premature births, but a recent study suggests waiting at least 30 seconds can significantly reduce the risk of the baby dying. — Positive Parenting

Doctors and midwives should hold off on clamping an umbilical cord for at least 30 seconds after a premature birth, according to research published by The Lancet medical journal.

Waiting could be the difference between life and death, according to University of Sydney in Australia, University of Nottingham in Britain, and UK National Childbirth Trust researchers.