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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

Join Doula Deborah On Demand for biweekly conversations on birth, postpartum, advocacy, and evidence-based care.

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