Overview
During the second trimester, your baby’s skin becomes covered with vernix caseosa. Vernix is a kind of greasy and cheese like and this white coating protects your baby’s delicate skin from abrasions and hardening from exposure to the amniotic fluid. This coating serves many different functions in the womb, transition out of the womb, and after birth. Vernix sheds as delivery approaches, and at birth, it may cover the entire surface of your baby’s skin, or you may only find it in the folds of their skin. This episode covers the benefits of vernix, whether you should wipe it off, rub it in, or leave it alone, and when to give your baby their first bath.
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