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Mystères et propriétés du vernix : pourquoi attendre avant de donner un bain après la naissance ?

The mysteries and properties of vernix: why wait before bathing your newborn?

At birth, babies are born with a white, waxy substance called vernix. Vernix is unique to humans — we are thought to be the only species to produce it. What is it for? What is it made of? And what are the latest recommendations on the first bath?

Contents

At birth, babies are born with a white, waxy substance called vernix. Vernix is unique to humans — we are thought to be the only species that produces it.

What is it for? What is it made of? And what are the latest recommendations on the first bath? We've looked into it!

Did you know?

Vernix is odourless. It is thought to contain pheromones, which may help foster the attachment bond with your baby!

What is vernix?

Vernix forms during the weeks leading up to birth. The baby is then covered in a protective layer, usually greasy and whitish, called vernix caseosa — literally "cheese varnish". Very premature babies are born without it. [1]

It is composed mainly of water (81%), lipids (9%) and proteins (10%). [2]

Its colour can vary. For example, vernix may have a slightly golden-yellow tint in the case of a post-term birth. Foetal distress in utero can stain the vernix with bile pigments present in the meconium[3]. The vernix can cover the baby's entire skin or just certain areas.

It is completely odourless. One study suggested that vernix may contain pheromones, which could help foster the bond of attachment with your baby. [4]

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What are the properties of vernix?

Vernix has many beneficial properties for your baby.

Take care mama

You can wait a few days, a week, or longer before giving your baby their first bath! It's entirely your decision and your partner's.

In utero, it protects the foetus's skin from the aqueous environment — the amniotic fluid — that surrounds it, preventing it from drying out. During birth, it helps the baby adapt to its new extra-uterine environment.

By swallowing a little vernix via the amniotic fluid, the baby begins to develop its microbiome, and thus its innate immunity. Glutamine, which accounts for 20% of the amino acids in vernix, is a factor in the development of this microbiome[5].

It also acts as a natural lubricant during birth, minimising friction. Its antibacterial properties are important as the baby passes through the mother's genital environment, which is rich in bacteria.[6]

Finally, it helps prevent water loss and regulate the newborn's temperature during labour.

The vernix surrounds the baby after birth and prevents them from cooling down too quickly.[7] Studies show that in premature babies, keeping the vernix helps reduce the number of cases of abnormally low body temperature.

Vernix also appears to have antioxidant properties, thanks to the presence of vitamin E and melanin.[8]

Finally, it also contains antibacterial substances, which can partly protect the baby from ascending infections during pregnancy and, later, against certain bacterial skin infections (e.g. staphylococci).[9]

Skin acidification appears to occur earlier in babies whose vernix has been left in place.[10] An acidic skin environment may inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and facilitate the colonisation of skin surface bacteria, the body's first immune barrier.[11]

After birth, newborns need to adapt to a decrease in skin hydration and pH.

Babies who retain their vernix after birth have more hydrated skin that retains more moisture, which can influence hydration after birth. [12] 

Thanks to its high water content, vernix acts as a moisturising agent for the stratum corneum. Vernix contains more water than any protective cream. [13]

In vitro studies have shown that vernix may increase skin metabolism and enhance its repair capacity, particularly in cases of burns or wounds.[14]

When should you give the first bath?

The WHO recommends leaving the vernix intact after birth.

A 2001 study conducted by the National Association of Neonatal Nursing (NANN) and the Association of Women's Health Obstetrical and Neonatal Nursing (AWHONN) concluded that removing the vernix was not necessary for hygiene reasons and that it had antibacterial and wound-healing properties. [15]

Rather than removing the vernix, you can massage it into your baby's skin, a few days after birth, and delay the first bath by a few days (a week, for example, or even longer). Don't hesitate to discuss this with your midwife or doctor when preparing for your birth.

Also see our article onnatural birth, with our 5 tips!

And when can the mother have her first bath? We tell you everything in our article: bath after birth. 

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In conclusion

Vernix has many beneficial properties for your baby after birth. It is particularly useful for hydration, protecting against bacteria, and helping to regulate body temperature.

You can wait a few days before removing it. Don't hesitate to let the healthcare team know if you'd prefer not to have your baby washed after birth.

Post-partum challenge

Everything is ready for baby's arrival — but have you prepared things for YOU? Jolly Mama coaches you to help you better prepare for and navigate your post-partum

The mysteries and properties of vernix: why wait before bathing your newborn?

Source 1: The immature skin. Eur J Pediatr. 1996

Source 2, 13: The Biology of Vernix Caseosa. J Neonatol. 2002

Source 3: Unraveling the mystery of vernix caseosa. Indian J Dermatol. 2008

Source 4: The biology of vernix caseosa. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2006

Source 5: Vernix a protective material to the newborn? A biochemical approach. Indian J Pediatr. 1995;62:237–239.

Source 6: Role of Vernix caseosa in the neonate: potential application in the adult population. AACN Clin Issues. 2003

Source 7: Saunders C. The vernix caseosa and subnormal temperature in premature infants. J Obstet Gynaecol Br Emp. 1948

Source 8: Surface free energy characterization of vernix caseosa: potential role in waterproofing the newborn infant. Skin Res Technol. 2001

Source 9: Barrier properties of vernix caseosa. Arch Dis Child. 1980

Source 10, 12: Vernix caseosa in neonatal adaptation. J Perinatol. 2005

Source 11: In vitro control of the growth of important bacteria of the resident flora by changes in pH. In: Skin Cleansing with Synthetic Detergents. Springer, 1992

Source 14: Effect of Vernix Caseosa on epidermal barrier development-repair: Implications in wound healing. University of Cincinnati, 2005.

Source 15: Evidence-based nursing practice: Skin care. Washington DC: 2001.

[1] Rutter N. The immature skin. Eur J Pediatr. 1996;155:S18–20.

[2] Narendran V. Hoath SB. The Biology of Vernix Caseosa. J Neonatol. 2002;16:9–17

[3] Singh G, Archana G. Unraveling the mystery of vernix caseosa. Indian J Dermatol. 2008;53(2):54-60. 10.4103/0019-5154.41645

[4] Hoath SB, Pickens WL, Visscher MO. The biology of vernix caseosa. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2006;28:319–33 10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00338.x

[5] Baker SM, Balo NN, Abdul Aziz FT. Is Vernix a protective material to the newborn? A biochemical approach. Indian J Pediatr. 1995;62:237–9. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] 10.1007/BF02752334

[6] Role of Vernix caseosa in the neonate: potential application in the adult population. Haubrich KA AACN Clin Issues. 2003 Nov; 14(4):457-64. 10.1097/00044067-200311000-00006

[7] The vernix caseosa and subnormal temperature in premature infants. SAUNDERS C J Obstet Gynaecol Br Emp. 1948 Aug; 55(4):442-4. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211305

[8] Surface free energy characterization of vernix caseosa. Potential role in waterproofing the newborn infant. Youssef W, Wickett RR, Hoath SB Skin Res Technol. 2001 Feb; 7(1):10-7. 10.1034/j.1600-0846.2001.007001010.x

[9] Barrier properties of vernix caseosa. Joglekar VM Arch Dis Child. 1980 Oct; 55(10):817-9. 10.1136/adc.55.10.817

[10] Vernix caseosa in neonatal adaptation. Visscher MO, Narendran V, Pickens WL, LaRuffa AA, Meinzen-Derr J, Allen K, Hoath SB J Perinatol. 2005 Jul; 25(7):440-6. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jp.7211305

[11] Lukacs A. Invitro control of the growth of important bacteria of the resident flora by changes in PH. In: Brain-Falco O, Korting H, editors. Skin cleansing with synthetic detergents. Berlin: Springer; 1992. pp. 97–105

[12] Vernix caseosa in neonatal adaptation. Visscher MO, Narendran V, Pickens WL, LaRuffa AA, Meinzen-Derr J, Allen K, Hoath SB J Perinatol. 2005 Jul; 25(7):440-6.

[13] Narendran V. Hoath SB. The Biology of Vernix Caseosa. J Neonatol. 2002;16:9–17 https://dx.doi.org/10.4103%2F0019-5154.41645

[14] Barai N. College of Pharmacy. Cincinnati, OH: University of Cincinnati; 2005. Effect of Vernix Caseosa on epidermal barrier development-repair: Implications in wound healing.

[15] Association of Women's Health Obstetrical and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) and National Association of Neonatal Nursing (NANN) Evidence-based nursing practice-skin care. Washington DC: 2001.
Pauline Benaroch

Pauline Benaroch

Dietitian nutritionist specialising in women's nutrition

Nutrition expert at Jolly Mama, Pauline Benaroch supports women from fertility through to the postpartum period with an approach grounded in science and enjoyment. Founder of the community @LesHealthyMamas (+10,000 members) and author of Je mange quoi pendant 9 mois (Larousse, 2024), she champions balanced and accessible nutrition for all women.

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