I'm doing my preceptorship in L&D (I'll graduate in a few weeks);
in my regular OB rotation, the routine on that unit was to wash it off but no big deal if you don't get every bit- it's good for their skin anyway. My preceptor now at this hospital wants every little bit scrubbed off. My inclincation is "I'd rather not torture baby to get every last little bit".
What do you do? And do you use a washcloth, or wipes, or ??? (We use these wipes that are kind of smooth so even harder to get it off - though probably softer for baby).
As I was kneeling on the DR table naturally delivering my second, healthy, identical twin,QUOTE]
I almost laughed out loud when I first scanned this post! I guess my first inclination was to think that "DR" stood for "dining room." It just sounded funny!
Anyway, I wipe off enough vernix to dry the infant in the delivery room so I can properly assess color and keep him warm. By the time I get him to NICU and either transition to well-baby or admit him, his skin has absorbed most of it anyway.
The longer you wait for the bath the more the skin absorbs it and less you have to wash. I don't try hard at all to get it off. Why waste a good thing!
Specializes in Acute Med, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.
i remember on my OB rotation being told specifically by both the nurses and my instructor not to wash it off. that it's good for the babies skin and would wear off naturally with time and baths.
If it doesn't easily come off with the first bath, I leave it.
*Hint* Baby oil gets vernix and adhesive mec off easily.
Thanks for leaving it... but don't let out that baby oil secret too loudly! I'll be upset if my baby's nurse hears it. The thought of trading something as natural and beneficial as vernix for greasy, pore clogging baby oil... ICK! Although I might trade oil for mec... :)
SteveNNP, MSN, NP
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