Personalised assessment
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?

Le vernix est inodore. Il aurait des phéromones, qui pourrait favoriser le lien d’attachement avec son bébé !

What is vernix?

Le vernix se forme pendant les semaines qui précèdent l’accouchement. Le bébé se revêt alors d’une couche protectrice, grasse et blanchâtre le plus souvent, appelée la vernix caseosa, littéralement “vernis de fromage”. Les enfants très prématurés naissent sans. [1]

Il est composé majoritairement d'eau (81%), de lipides (9%) et de protéines (10%).[2]

Sa couleur peut varier. Par exemple, le vernix peut avoir une teinte un peu jaune d’or en cas d’accouchement post terme. Une détresse foetale in utero peut teinter le vernix de pigments de bile présent dans le méconium[3]. Le vernix peut couvrir toute la peau du bébé ou simplement certains endroits.

Il est complètement inodore. Une étude a fait l’hypothèse que le vernix aurait des phéromones, qui pourrait favoriser le lien d’attachement avec son bébé. [4]

Why this product?

Lecomplément alimentaire post partumpour faire le plein de nutriments et se remettre de la grossesse. Avec un actif breveté pour diminuer le stress et favoriser un bien-être émotionnel. 100% compatible allaitement.

Our recommended product

Post Essentials

Post Essentials

Post-partum multivitamin supplement

£27.25

£28.68
Breastfeeding
Post-partum

17 vitamins and minerals

Including: vitamin C, choline, B vitamins, D, zinc, iodine

B vitamins contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue

Extramel®, a patented antioxidant ingredient

Discover

What are the properties of vernix?

Vernix has many beneficial properties for your baby.

Take care mama

Vous pouvez attendre quelques jours, une semaine ou plus avant de donner le premier bain à votre bébé ! C’est vous et votre partenaire qui décidez.

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?

L’OMS recommande de laisser le vernix intact après la naissance.

Une étude de 2001 conduit par National Association of Neonatal Nursing (NANN) and the Association of Women's Health Obstetrical and Neonatal Nursing (AWHONN) a conclu qu’enlever le vernix n’était pas nécessaire pour des raisons d’hygiènes et qu’il avait des propriétés anti-bactérienne et de réparation des plaies.[15]

Plutôt que d’enlever le vernix, on peut le masser sur la peau de votre bébé, quelques jours après la naissance, et retarder de quelques jours le premier bain (une semaine par exemple, voir plus). N'hésitez pas à en parler à votre sage femme ou médecin pour préparer votre accouchement.

Consultez aussi notre article l'accouchement naturel, avec nos 5 conseils !

Et le premier bain de la maman, quand est-ce que c'est possible ? On vous dit tout dans notre article : bain après accouchement. 

Discover our products

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.

Our recommended product

Post Essentials

Post Essentials

Post-partum multivitamin supplement

£27.25

£28.68
Breastfeeding
Post-partum

17 vitamins and minerals

Including: vitamin C, choline, B vitamins, D, zinc, iodine

B vitamins contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue

Extramel®, a patented antioxidant ingredient

Discover

Other recommended products

Mama Poule tasse de bouillon de poule
-20%
Add

Mama Poule

Organic chicken bone broth

6 chicken bone broths or "bone broth" 100% organic

6g of collagen per pot

Pregnancy
Post-partum

from

£29.26

£38.24

Add
Croquantissime carré de céréales riche en fer
-10%

Croquantissime

Snacks enrichis en fer bisglycinate

Sans effet secondaire des compléments de fer

50% des besoins journaliers couverts dans un snack

For everyone

from

£18.22

£25.21

Post Essentials verre d'eau avec 2 gélules dans la main
-15%
Best seller

Post Essentials

Post-partum multivitamin supplement

17 nutrients in their best forms

Covers post-birth nutritional needs and reduces fatigue

Breastfeeding
Post-partum

from

£23.17

£28.68

Add
Mama Poule tasse de bouillon de poule
-20%

Mama Poule

Organic chicken bone broth

6 chicken bone broths or "bone broth" 100% organic

6g of collagen per pot

Pregnancy
Post-partum

from

£29.26

£38.24

Add
See the 3 recommended products

Recommended products

PAGE PRODUIT 15 fond 1
JD 202606 VIGNETTE ABO 15

JOLLY DAYS: Up to -50%

Bénéficiez de -15% supplémentaire sur votre premier mois en vous abonnant
Post Essentials
Best seller
Sale -4%

Post Essentials

Post-partum multivitamin supplement

Breastfeeding
Post-partum

from

£27.25

£28.68

Mama Poule
Sale -9%

Mama Poule

Organic chicken bone broth

Pregnancy
Post-partum

from

£34.42

£38.24

Croquantissime
Sale -14%

Croquantissime

Snacks enrichis en fer bisglycinate

For everyone

£21.43

£25.21

Our articles

Find all our tips and articles.

See all our articles
See all our articles

Your questions, our answers.

Answer to the question.

Answer to the question.

Answer to the question.

Pictos

Fast and free delivery

from £100 of purchases (and from £50 with a subscription)

Pictos 1

100% secure payment

CB, Visa, MasterCard, Paypal, Alma, Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Klarna, Twint, Amex

Pictos 2

A question?

We are available Monday to Friday (9am-1pm and 2pm-5pm):

Email Whatsapp
added to basket
View my basket
Continue shopping