Cutting cord early 'risk to babies'

Cutting the umbilical cord immediately after birth - currently standard practice - puts the baby at risk of iron deficiency, experts say.

Official guidelines are currently being examined - and professionals and campaigners say they should change.

Leaving the cord attached for a few minutes allows the blood in the cord to transfer to the baby,

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says it will publish new guidelines next year.

26 April 2013

Abstract taken from BBC News