You see that whitish substance on your baby’s #skin after it’s born? What is it and what’s its purpose ?
Some even think it’s dirt or as a result of eating ayilo/shile/Pica. But this is not the case. This is what you should know.
When your baby is born, he might be covered with a thick, white, cheese-like layer called vernix caseosa. The older the baby is the less you find it on their skin. It begins to form around 25 weeks and desolves into the amniotic fluid with time.
It’s benefits
In the womb, vernix helps protect your newborn’s delicate skin from the acidic quality of the amniotic fluid
It hydrates her skin, insulates her body, and maintains a proper and comfortable temperature in utero.
Vernix also does doubles as a lubricant, helping your baby slide out of the birth canal a bit easier.
It gives that new born smell your baby has, it helps mum and baby to bond
The World Health Organization advises delaying baby’s first bath for at least 6 hours, although 24 hours is ideal. This will help baby to adjust to the new environment and the vernix plays a role as well
Wash #vernix off right away if Baby has meconium staining, or if the mother has HIV or hepatitis.
Do not force to remove all at a time. With time all will be removed.
Thanks
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Photo credit The Birth Coach