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Birth of the baby: what is vernix caseosa?
Don’t be surprised if your baby’s skin is covered with a whitish coating at birth. This creamy substance called vernix caseosa appears during the second part of pregnancy, from the 20th week. It plays a protective role for the baby, in association with the lanugo (light down).
What is vernix caseosa used for?
To protect the baby’s skin, the fetal sebaceous glands secrete a viscous, whitish material called vernix. Like a thin waterproof film, it acts as a tight barrier protecting the baby’s skin against the drying effects of months of immersion in amniotic fluid. Scientists suggest that he may also have antibacterial properties, and thus protect the newborn from any skin infection, benign or not. In addition, during childbirth, it facilitates the expulsion of the baby by lubricating the skin. Vernix is made up of sebum, the desquamation of superficial skin cells (in other words, debris of dead cells), as well as water.
Should we keep vernix on baby’s skin after birth?
With the approach of the birth, the child continues to grow, to grow bigger, his nails and his hair grow. At the same time, the vernix caseosa, which forms small white particles in the amniotic fluid, begins to decrease. However, some traces persist at birth. The amount of vernix varies from child to child, and don’t be surprised if your child is born with very little of this coating on their skin. In general, it is more present on the back than on the chest. Children born prematurely have more vernix caseosa than children born at term. After birth, what happens to the vernix? Until a few years ago, newborns were systematically washed. This is no longer the case today, because it is estimated thatit is good that baby’s skin benefits from the benefits of vernix, which protects it from external aggressions. If you prefer that baby does not have this whitish appearance, we can gently massage the body to make the vernix penetrate, like a moisturizer with nourishing and protective properties.
When to take baby’s first bath?
To maintain the benefits of vernix caseosa, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends bathe the baby at least 6 hours after birth, or even wait until the baby’s third day of life. Immediately after childbirth, she recommends wiping the child as little as possible to remove the blood and meconium residues, but not to remove the vernix. This coating continues to protect the baby’s skin. It helps reduce heat loss, thus helping the infant’s body to maintain body temperature at a suitable level, and is reabsorbed through the skin during the first few days of life. In all cases, the last residues will be removed during the first bath.