Why delay cord clamping?

Science and Sensibility, the research blog from Lamaze, has an excellently evidence based article on the practice of delayed cord clamping. The article is structured by listing objections, which is a great way to go about learning the benefits, as well as to be prepared to answer to someone's concerns about this practice. Delayed cord clamping is becoming so much better understood and common place. Many Ob and midwife practices in Brooklyn and NYC do this as a matter of protocol. 

Read the full article here. 

Midwife Thinking: Birth From the Baby's Perspective

Such a fascinating article! Excerpt below, and definitely head over here to read the article from Midwife Thinking in its entirety, as well as watch the videos.

Here are the bullet points from the article on treating a newborn with respect:

"A humane approach to welcoming a baby to the world

Whilst in some cases it is not possible, I believe that we should aim for all babies to have the opportunity to:

• Make their own way through their mother’s body and into the world (ie. no unnecessary pulling).
• For their first touch to be from the hands of a person who loves them (mother, father, family member, friend).
• To be held immediately by their mother skin-to-skin.
• To be sustained by their placenta until the placenta stops functioning (ie. leaving the cord intact).
• To be left in peace to find their mother’s nipple and latch on.
• To be treated gently and with dignity and respect during any ‘checks’ that their mother chooses to have done."