What is vernix? It is a white or yellowish creamy substance that covers the body of a newborn baby.
Not all babies are born with vernix.
But those who have it are often immediately and thoroughly washed off. At least, that’s what a significant portion of medical staff believes should be done.
What is the danger of vernix?
Why do people sometimes try to remove it as quickly as possible, scrubbing the baby from head to toe?
By the way, wet wipes are often used for this purpose.
I decided to look into the dangers of vernix, and here is what I found:
It turns out that vernix (or vernix caseosa), which covers the skin of newborns, along with amniotic fluid, has immune-boosting properties similar to breast milk.
Therefore, bathing a baby immediately after birth interferes with the protective effects of vernix.
Vernix, much like a high-quality cream, maintains the pH balance of the baby’s skin and possesses antibacterial properties. Vernix moisturizes the baby’s skin, as their sebaceous glands do not function during the first weeks of life.
What is vernix made of?
Vernix also contains high levels of Vitamin E.
But the main function of vernix is creating a protective barrier for the baby’s skin.
In fact, scientists are currently working on developing synthetic vernix to help care for premature infants born before 25 weeks (as natural vernix forms around 25–26 weeks of pregnancy).
When a baby is born, it is enough to gently wipe their face with a clean cloth; washing their entire body is completely unnecessary.
The first bath can be given on the 3rd or 4th day of life.
There is no need to rush to scrub away the substance that protects your baby’s skin.
And least of all, wipe a newborn with wet wipes soaked in synthetic ingredients that rival the periodic table.
