Shirk SK, et al. - Researchers examined the initial hematocrit concentration in preterm births (23-34 weeks) in correlation with delayed clamping vs milking of the umbilical cord. In addition, they compared delayed with milking regarding the incidences of intraventricular hemorrhage, necrotizing enterocolitis, and need for transfusion. They assigned 204 singleton preterm infants born 23 weeks 0 days to 34 weeks 6 days to one of two controlled study groups [delayed cord clamping for 60 seconds or milking of the cord towards the infant 4 times prior to clamping] in this unblinded randomized controlled trial. Outcomes suggest that to delayed cord clamping, milking the umbilical cord may be an acceptable alternative as it had similar effects on neonatal hematocrit concentrations and need for neonatal transfusions and had no increased risk for complications or neonatal morbidity. Milking of the umbilical cord seems to be an efficient and timely method that can provide increased blood volume to the infant.