Everyone parents differently and most of us have various opinions o how we think children should be raised. However, every once in a while, an especially unique parenting strategy creates heated debates online.
This mom’s idea is certainly one we have never seen before! Read more to develop your own thoughts.
Shahnta Hoare is a mother of four who recently blew up on TikTok under her account, @hoareboys. In the video that recently went viral, Hoare explains that she does not believe in cleaning newborns off after they are born. Further, she doesn’t think that they should not get any kind of bath for the first month.
Holding her newborn son, Ozzy, Shahnta explains that the has always had some strong beliefs about the benefits of the “vernix”–the white, thick substance that covers an infant’s skin during the last trimester of pregnancy.
Babies are typically born with a thick coating of vernix on their skin. Usually, the babies are cleaned by nurses or other hospital staff after they are born.
Hoare’s previous three babies were all wiped down in this way, but the mother has explained that this did not happen because she wanted it to.
Her first son, Jackson, was wiped down before she could say anything or get her bearings. This happened a second time when her next children–twins–were born.
She has regretted not “advocating” for herself in the birthing room and made an effort to be clear about her wishes for her fourth child.
“Ozzy did not get wiped of anything,” Hoare explained in the clip. “Like what you see in that video [of his birth] stayed on him until it just naturally came off.”
The video in question clearly shows Ozzy covered in the white, creamy goo that babies are born with. Hoare explains that many people do not realize just how beneficial the substance is.
“Vernix is actually really good to keep on their skin, it’s actually super, super moisturizing – it’s almost a little oily,” she shared. “He had it in his neck creases, his ears, fingers, toes – it’s the best.”
Many experts concur with Hoare.
Vernix helps to moisturize the newborns’ skin and to help a baby to develop healthy gut bacteria. Babies actually swallow small amounts of the substance in untero, helping their stomachs and building up their premature immune systems.
The vernix even helps babies to feel warmer, according to Dr. Harvey Karp’s website The Happiest Baby.
These benefits have led to the development of “delayed bathing” for mothers like Hoare. However, it is still not common for any parents to neever wipe the vernix off their baby.
The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) recommends leaving the vernix off after “6 hours” but “preferably [after] 24 hours” to give babies the full benefits of the substance. Leaving it on any longer can lead to strong odors.
Hoare remains steadfast in her beliefs.
“I know it may be gross to some, but when it’s your own baby, you’re like, ‘this stuff is so good,'” she shared. She added that she does of course clean her baby for diaper changes.
Users on the social media site were divided in their responses, with some supporting Hoare and others rallying against her unique approach.
What do you think of this growing approach to childcare? Let us know in the comments!
