During birth, in order to decrease the size of the infant, Nature, in her wisdom, transfers a significant portion of the babies blood into the placenta. Thus, it is insane to cut an umbilical cord early, before the blood has completely returned to the baby and drained from the placenta. While it is arguable how long the cord should stay intact, the minimum time, is when all of the blood has finished transfering from the placenta and into the infant. This blood provides oxygen, nutrients, and the seeds for a healthy and robust life. Learn more about the umbilical cord at Lotus Birth.