| Summary: | The optimal timing of umbilical cord clamping has been debated in the scientific literature for at least a century, and the timing of cord clamping continues to vary according to clinical policy and practice. "Early" cord clamping is generally carried out in the first 60 seconds after birth (most commonly in the first 15--30 seconds), whereas "delayed" (also referred to as "late") cord clamping is generally carried out more than 1 min after the birth or when the umbilical cord pulsation has ceased. For the mother, delayed cord clamping is one of the actions included in a package for reduction of the risk of postpartum haemorrhage. Member States have requested guidance from WHO on the effects of late cord clamping for improving maternal and infant nutrition and health, as a public health strategy in support of their efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the global targets set in the Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition. The guideline is intended for a wide audience, including policy-makers; their expert advisers; technical and programme staff at organizations involved in the design, implementation and scaling-up of nutrition actions for public health; and health staff providing care to mothers and their infants
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