What is Vernix?

Vernix is a waxy coating which develops on the skin of fetuses, starting around the 20th week of pregnancy. Vernix is is the white creamy waxy stuff that newborn babies have on their skin when they’re born. It  starts developing in the womb, to protect the baby’s skin from getting all pruny and wrinkly while they’re floating around in water for 9 months.

 

The baby’s body starts to absorb the vernix during the later stages of pregnancy, so premature babies tend to have more than full term babies. Some babies have lots of vernix when they’re born, sometimes even  enough to make them look pale instead of a healthy pink.