VERNIX CASEOSA: TO CLEAN OR NOT TO CLEAN

 🚫STOP! DON’T WASH THAT BABY🚫

Ever wondered what that white cheesy substance on you fresh baby's skin is?  It’s called Vernix Caseosa (Vernix)!  It starts to form on your baby’s skin around the 20th week.  What exactly is in vernix caseosa? Scientists have identified lipids, amino acids, proteins, antibacterial, and antimicrobial compounds such as:

wax and sterol esters

ceramides

squalene

cholesterol

triglycerides

phospholipids

and amino acids, asparagine and glutamine

61% of these proteins can only be found in Vernix Caseosa.

What are the uses of Vernix Caseosa? 📚

📌it acts as antibacterial agent to protect baby inside and outside the womb

📌protective covering while going through the birth canal 

📌allows baby to pick up good bacteria and leave behind overgrowth of bad bacteria

📌protects baby from meconium exposure(baby’s first poop)

📌it acts as insulation by maintaining your baby’s body temperature. Infants who are immediately washed have a significantly higher rate of heat loss

📌acts as a lubricant and decreases friction during birth and reducing infant trauma 

📌it smells like mama and helps keep baby calm after birth

📌your baby swallows Vernix in the womb.  The same proteins found in vernix are the same as those in breastmilk.  This helps baby’s digestive tract to be ready to breastfeed.

📌keeps baby’s skin soft and subtle

Why do Midwives rub it off? 🤔

Many policies in the hospital system are outdated but still practiced.  We were taught that Vernix was a risk of germs.  You can ask a staff to please reduce rubbing off baby to preserve Vernix on baby’s skin!  When baby has his first skin to skin contact with you, this is the perfect time to rub it in, not rub it off. 

MAJORITY OF VERNIX IS ABSORBED 24 HOURS AFTER BIRTH BUT ISN'T FULLY ABSORBED TILL 5-6 DAYS AFTER BIRTH!  LETS GIVE OUR BABIES TIME TO ABSORB THIS DELICIOUS CREAM THAT SCIENTISTS ARE SO DESPERATELY TRYING TO DUPLICATE BUT CANNOT!

Photocredit: Birth Becomes Her