Babies are born with a white, waxy coating, which convention has held should be washed off sooner rather than later. But this substance, called vernix caseosa, can be beneficial if left on for awhile longer.
Common bacterial infections for newborns include Group B Strep and E. Coli which can lead to pneumonia and meningitis. By delaying the first bath, you are allowing the vernix to continue working as a safety net for your little one's immune system.
There's usually no downside to leaving the vernix on your baby after he's born. But there are some exceptions. Babies born with chorioamnionitis or meconium staining need to be bathed right after delivery to reduce the risk of bacterial infection.
That waxy stuff is called vernix
And yes, the sticky, white, cheese-like coating covering your precious little one may not look that appealing. Which is why birth center or hospital staff may want to wash baby off right away. Don't let them! Vernix offers a number of benefits for baby when you leave it on or rub it in.
Vernix coating on the neonatal skin protects the newborn skin and facilitates extra-uterine adaptation of skin in the first postnatal week if not washed away after birth.
Newborns arrive after spending months floating in amniotic fluid, covered in the waxy white substance known as vernix caseosa. Some theorize that these fluids and substances play a part in that new baby smell. This might be part of the reason that special newborn scent is fleeting, lasting only a few weeks.
If skin-to-skin contact with your newborn happens before the baby's even cleaned off, there's evidence that he'll be less prone to infection because he has more time in contact with the beneficial bacteria you transmit to him during a vaginal birth.
In the first week or two, you'll want to just use a peri bottle (filled with warm tap water) and gently blot dry with super-soft TP or, even better, medicated wipes (such as Tucks). You should be sent home with a peri bottle from the hospital — if not, ask for one before leaving.
It's called Vernix Caseosa, or simply vernix. This coating develops in utero through the sebaceous glands around 20 weeks gestation and forms a protective layer on the baby's skin.
Your doctor may suggest that your baby has sponge baths until his umbilical stump heals and falls off. When you give a sponge bath, you wipe your baby clean with a wet sponge or washcloths, without putting him in the water. Find out how babies are given a sponge bath.
Do Hospitals Keep Placentas? Hospitals treat placentas as medical waste or biohazard material. The newborn placenta is placed in a biohazard bag for storage. Some hospitals keep the placenta for a period of time in case the need arises to send it to pathology for further analysis.
Reduced risk of infection
Babies are born covered in a white substance called vernix, which is composed of the skin cells your baby made early in development. Vernix contains proteins that prevent common bacterial infections. Think of vernix as a sort of natural antibacterial ointment.
Bath time might be part of your nightly ritual, but doctors actually don't recommend daily baths for babies. Excess exposure to water can zap their skin of moisture and worsen conditions like eczema. Then again, not bathing your baby often enough can also aggravate eczema, plus lead to other infections.
Even if you don't see dirt on a child, taking baths at regular intervals is important for reasons aside from feeling fresh. “While exposure to germs strengthens our immune systems over time, germs can accumulate on skin and put kids at risk for infection,” said Natalie Huynh, DO, an OSF HealthCare resident physician.
After the birth of your baby, the umbilical cord needs to be clamped and cut. This can happen straight after birth, or you might be able to cuddle your baby for a minute or two before the cord is cut. Your birth partner can usually cut the umbilical cord if that's what you and your partner want.
Your baby may have some of your blood on their skin and perhaps vernix, the greasy white substance that protects your baby's skin in the womb. If you prefer, you can ask the midwife to dry your baby and wrap them in a blanket before your cuddle.
Straight talk: The first poop after giving birth can be challenging since it can be hard to pass and may be more painful than you expected. That's because after you give birth, the perineum (the area between the bottom of the vaginal opening and the anus) is still sore and tender, especially if you have stitches.
Bleeding often lasts for around for four to six weeks, but could last up to 12 weeks after your baby's born (RCOG, 2016). If you're worried, you can talk to a health professional. Bleeding will start off heavy and red to browny red. It will become lighter in colour and flow over time (NHS, 2021).
To cleanse the area, use the "squirt" water bottle you got in the hospital. After you go to the bathroom, rinse from front to back with warm water. Continue these rinses for as long as you have vaginal bleeding. Pat (don't wipe) from front to back to dry.
The first hour after birth when a mother has uninterrupted skin-to-skin contact with her newborn is referred to as the “golden hour.” This period of time is critical for a newborn baby who spent the past nine months in a controlled environment.
The takeaway
While it's true your baby can cry in the womb, it doesn't make a sound, and it's not something to worry about. The baby's practice cries include imitating the breathing pattern, facial expression, and mouth movements of a baby crying outside of the womb. You shouldn't worry that your baby is in pain.
After birth, the vernix caseosa helps his skin adapt to life outside of the womb. It's typically washed off after about 24 hours, but the scent may linger on the baby's hair and skin. As for the "why," newborn smell likely plays a role in parent-child bonding.
Babies recognize their mother's scent even before they are born. Your baby is biologically and genetically programmed to connect to you through your unique smell. The process of development of olfactory cells (cells responsible for the sense of smell) begins as soon as the first trimester of pregnancy.
One of my favorite things to do is show mothers how their baby can smell them from as far away as 1 to 2 feet.