Member States have requested guidance from WHO on the effects of late cord clamping for improving maternal and infant nutrition and health, as a public health strategy in support of their efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the global targets set in the Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition. The guideline is intended for a wide audience, including policy-makers; their expert advisers; technical and programme staff at organizations involved in the design, implementation and scaling-up of nutrition actions for public health; and health staff providing care to mothers and their infants.