After what seems like hours of waiting to meet your baby, he's finally here! They place him on your chest and you gaze into each other's eyes. Love at first sight! Then they take him away to give him his first bath. They clean him up, swaddle him and hand him back to you. He smells like baby powder. But is a bathing your baby really necessary?
In the hospital, where many of the most drug-resistant microorganisms are found, washing away the natural protective coating, the vernix, from the newborn’s skin seems like the opposite of what should be normal protocol. The newborn bath washes away this rich with natural flora, proteins, and antimicrobial natural protective barrier. By washing away this protective coating, the skin of the newborn is left open to colonization from the microorganisms in the hospital. By leaving the vernix intact, the antimicrobials that are active against Group B Streptococcus, E. Coli, and other bacteria can prevent your newborn from becoming ill.
Vernix does more than act as a protective barrier from liquids while in the uterus. It acts as an antioxidant, skin cleanser, moisturizer, temperature regulator, and a natural, safe antimicrobial for the new baby post delivery.
So what do you do with it? Rub it in!! Gently massage all that cheesy goodness into your baby's skin. Give him the gift of protection. Once you're home and settled, feel free to bathe your baby with a mild baby soap(using just water is fine too).
In the hospital, where many of the most drug-resistant microorganisms are found, washing away the natural protective coating, the vernix, from the newborn’s skin seems like the opposite of what should be normal protocol. The newborn bath washes away this rich with natural flora, proteins, and antimicrobial natural protective barrier. By washing away this protective coating, the skin of the newborn is left open to colonization from the microorganisms in the hospital. By leaving the vernix intact, the antimicrobials that are active against Group B Streptococcus, E. Coli, and other bacteria can prevent your newborn from becoming ill.
Vernix does more than act as a protective barrier from liquids while in the uterus. It acts as an antioxidant, skin cleanser, moisturizer, temperature regulator, and a natural, safe antimicrobial for the new baby post delivery.
So what do you do with it? Rub it in!! Gently massage all that cheesy goodness into your baby's skin. Give him the gift of protection. Once you're home and settled, feel free to bathe your baby with a mild baby soap(using just water is fine too).
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