When a baby is born, it clearly doesn't look like the perfect baby you see in the movies. Its skin is most often wrinkled, reddish, and sometimes covered with a strange whitish coating, called vernix caseosa. In this article, you will discover that it has many benefits for your child.
What is vernix caseosa?
Vernix caseosa is a creamy, strongly adherent substance that oscillates between white, yellow and gray, found on baby's skin when it is born. Vernix is secreted around the 20th week of pregnancy by the sebaceous glands of the fetus, and is made up of superficial skin cells, sebum, water and amniotic fluid debris. Its presence decreases from the 8th month of pregnancy, which is why it is observed in greater quantities in premature babies. When a baby is born at term, more vernix is found in the folds of the skin.
What is the role of the vernix?
Very rich in lipids, proteins and vitamins, vernix has many virtues. It starts in mom's womb, when baby is immersed for months in amniotic fluid. Vernix, with its waterproofing properties, helps protect the skin of the fetus by preventing it from drying out too strongly. Nature being well made, it facilitates expulsion during childbirth, serving as a lubricant. Then at birth, it plays a thermo-protective role, which is very valuable for infants who have difficulty regulating their body temperature. Finally, vernix is distinguished by its moisturizing and anti-bacterial qualities, making it possible to protect the baby's skin from external aggressions.
Should we keep the vernix?
Now, more and more maternities in France are opting for a first bath the day after or two days after birth, so that the infant can benefit from the benefits of vernix. The WHO also recommends not to bathe newborns less than 6 hours after birth, and ideally not before their third day of life to avoid heat loss. In fact, the vernix goes away on its own after 2 or 3 days. The ideal is to massage the baby in order to make the vernix penetrate like a moisturizer. Most often, during childbirth, the infant is simply wiped to remove traces of blood and meconium, and immediately presented to her mother for a skin-to-skin session. In addition, vernix delicately perfumes baby's skin, a very special scent that young mothers delight in. So one thing is certain: we do not rush to wash a newborn! Once the technique has been learned in the maternity ward, you will have plenty of time to bathe your baby when you return home.
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In summary
- Vernix caseosa is a creamy substance produced in utero,
- Vernix has incredible properties to protect baby's skin, but also to facilitate the passage of the infant during childbirth.
- It is advisable not to wash the child too quickly in order to allow him to benefit from its benefits, and above all to prevent his body temperature from falling due to a premature bath. A newly born baby is not dirty, and simply needs to be wiped off before being put into mom's (and dad's!) Arms for a skin-to-skin session, essential for reassuring and enveloping the baby. child who discovers a new environment after staying warm in his mother's womb.