Waiting at least three minutes before clamping the umbilical cord in healthy newborn babies improves their iron levels, new research suggests.

Experts in Sweden analysed 400 babies

Delaying clamping should be standard practice and is not linked to jaundice or other problems for the baby, according to the study published online in the British Medical Journal.

Previous research has shown conflicting results on the ideal time for clamping the umbilical cord, although other researchers have found a delay improves iron levels.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has no specific recommendation on when the umbilical cord should be clamped but its scientific opinion paper says: “Infants who have immediate cord clamping have lower iron stores for up to six months after birth.”

It calls for more research into the area but adds: “If there is no need to rush a newborn baby to the resuscitaire, simple measures such as drying and keeping warm may be instituted before separating the infant from the placenta.”

In the latest study, experts in Sweden analysed 400 babies about to be born after a low-risk pregnancy.

They were split into two groups, one which had the umbilical cord clamped at 10 seconds or less after delivery and the other which had the cord clamped three minutes or more after delivery.

At four months, the babies had their ferritin levels tested – used to determine how much iron the body has stored.