A new trend which aims to slow things down a bit has hit maternity wards. Instead of cutting the cord, new parents have taken to burning it.
 
Apparently, after the baby is born, he or she is placed beside their mum and the ‘burn box’ is put next to the baby, then “the umbilical cord is placed over the notches on the box.”
 
After that, candles are lit and the flame is put directly on the cord. Sometimes, if the fluid from the cord extinguishes the flame, the candles are relit, and there may be some smoke.
 
It usually takes about ten minutes to complete, and apparently has traditional Chinese medicine benefits. Dr. Joseph Kassel says:
 
“The flame brings the yang qi from the placenta and fire energy into the baby. It has an ethereal and remarkable effect on the baby. By heating the cord and driving the last of the blood through there you are giving a profoundly tonic treatment for the baby who has just run a marathon. Cord-burning reduces the risk of bleeding and entry of infections.”
 
Would you give this a go?

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