You have heard, many times, about the cheesy substance that your baby is coated in. Called vernix caseosa, it’s not there for nothing.

A mix of dead skin cells, oil from your little baby’s glands and the soft, downy hair called lanugo, it’s no surprise that vernix looks white, feels greasy and seems quite unpleasant.

However, it’s not as unappealing as you think it is, especially when you know how beneficial it is for your baby. At week 19 when vernix is thickest, you may want to learn more about its importance.

The waxy coating protects the sensitive skin of your baby, especially when not much fat has formed yet. Though the amniotic fluid cushions your baby, the vernix helps keep your baby from looking too wrinkled.

It’s not unusual to see some vernix when you give birth to your baby. This gives you a first-hand look of what it really looks like, but don’t worry - it will go away shortly.