Your Baby's First Coat: How Vernix Protects Newborns and Empowers Parents

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You’ve seen it in birth photos, maybe even on your own baby...that creamy white coating on newborn skin. It’s called vernix caseosa, and in this episode of Tend and Befriend, we’re exploring what it is, why it matters, and what it represents in today’s birth spaces.

Deborah breaks down:

• The science of vernix: what it’s made of and why it forms
• Its powerful role in immune support, temperature regulation, and bonding
• Why more families are choosing to delay their baby’s first bath
• What the World Health Organization recommends
• How this seemingly small decision connects to a larger conversation around informed consent and autonomy in birth

This episode isn’t just about vernix. It’s about voice. About choice. About being heard in one of the most sacred transitions of your life.

Whether you choose to leave it on or wash it off, what matters most is that the decision is yours.

Instagram: @deborah.thedoula
Website: www.pelviclove.ca 

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Episode Transcript

Deborah (00:13):
Hey Mamas, you're listening to Tend and Befriend,
a podcast about women's mentaland physical health.
This is Debra.
I'm a mom of two, a labor andbirth coach and birth advocate,
a health professional, and todayI'm your host.
Let's dive into today's episode.
Any information you hear orthat is suggested or recommended

(00:35):
on these episodes is notmedical advice.
Hello mamas, thank you forjoining me on today's episode of
Tend and Befriend.
I'm Debra, your doula, and todaywe're talking about that creamy
white sometimes misunderstoodcoating on your newborn skin

(01:03):
Vernix caseosa.
You've probably seen it inbirth photos or on your own baby
and maybe wondered what is thatwhite stuff?
In this episode, I'm digginginto the science and wisdom
behind vernix, what it does, whyit's here and why so many
families are choosing to delaytheir baby's first bath because
of it.
But we're also talking aboutsomething deeper, of course

(01:26):
choice, because, let's be honest, it's not ever just about
vernix.
It's about who holds the powerin birthing spaces and for some,
this decision to delay the bathis symbolic of a much bigger
issue feeling heard, rushed oroverridden during one of life's
most sacred moments.
We'll talk about why thismatters, why it doesn't matter

(01:50):
to everyone, and why the growingmovement toward home birth and
even free birth reflects asystem that needs to listen more
closely or risks being leftbehind.
Let's start with the questionwhat is vernix?
It is a creamy, white, waxysubstance made up of water,
lipids and proteins.

(02:10):
It forms around the week 20 ofgestation and continues to
increase until full term.
This beautiful substance can bemore common on babies born
before 41 plus weeks, andpost-dates babies may have less.
Now let's talk about what theVernix does.

(02:31):
It provides a barrier functionwhich protects the newborn's
skin from amniotic fluid andpost-birth moisture loss.
It's immune supportantimicrobial properties.
It acts like a built-in firstline of d, it regulates
temperature, it helps retainwarmth in the hours after birth

(02:54):
and it's olfactory bonding.
It holds the scent of amnioticfluid, aiding mother baby
bonding and breastfeedinginitiation.
Wow, and we've been rubbingthat off of our babies
immediately after they've beenborn for so long.
Now, why are families delayingthe first bath?

(03:15):
Because of vernix?
Because we want to preserve thevernix as long as possible,
rubbing it in like lotioninstead of washing it off.
It has its purpose and we wantto leave it.
If we want to leave it, ithelps support newborn microbiome
development and it reduces coldstress and avoids unnecessary

(03:37):
separation from the birthingparent, and also because it's
your choice.
Now here's how you can delay thebath.
For your scientific reference,the World Health Organization
recommends delaying the firstbath for at least 24 hours.
Many families choose 48 plushours.
How do you do this?

(03:58):
You communicate your wishesclearly in your birth plan.
You use phrases like no newbornbath until after first
breastfeeding and golden.
Use phrases like no newbornbath until after first
breastfeeding and golden hour,or simply no newborn bath.
No is a full sentence.
No, thank you.
What to do instead?
Gently rub the vernix in if thebaby isn't cold.
Use soft, dry cloth to pat dryafter birth, but avoid wiping it

(04:24):
away.
Now let's discuss why this mightmatter to some and not to
others.
For some, this is part of aholistic, informed approach to
newborn care, and others may notfeel connected to the idea, and
that's okay.
The point here is informedchoice, not rigid rules.
Some families feel safedeferring to the hospital's
protocols, while others feeldisempowered by them, and I want

(04:47):
to talk about the biggerpicture and autonomy in the
birth space.
This is one of the many smalldecisions that symbolize agency
in your birth.
Hospitals sometimes rush baths,checks and procedures without
full consent, and more familiesare saying no or simply choosing
different settings altogether.
And whether we agree withanything that any birthing

(05:11):
person wants or not, we must askwhy.
Why are women opting out of themedical systems entirely?
We can't look at all of thisand not ask why.
So one of the things I amseeing is because birth is no
longer something that women arefeeling that they're doing and

(05:33):
it's something that's being doneto them, and that is why stuff
like avoiding all hospitalpolicies is becoming something
that is asked for on a day today basis.
So I want to finish off bysaying that this episode isn't
just about vernix.
It's about voice.
It's about remembering thatevery parent should feel

(05:53):
respected in the early hours oftheir baby's life.
Whether you choose to delay thebath or not, delay the cord
clamping or not, what mattersmost is that it was your choice,
because when parents areinformed and empowered, birth
becomes an experience ofstrength and not submission.
I want to thank you so much forjoining me for today's episode
on Vernix.

(06:13):
If you're curious about doulaservices or want to learn more
about empowering yourself forbirth, please join us bi-weekly
for something called Doula Debraon Demand, or follow us on
Instagram for all things birth.
Thank you and let's talk soon.
Talk to you soon.
Okay, let's talk soon.