All babies are born with a coating of vernix on their body: a waxy substance that helps protect an infant’s skin and holds in body heat. But while vernix is totally normal and natural, it’s not something you often see in photos or read much about in books, meaning it can come as a surprise to some new moms the first time they lay eyes on their child.
To celebrate the beauty that is a brand-new baby in all its goopy glory, we’ve rounded up some beautiful images of newborn babies covered in vernix, because this is what real birth looks like.
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A new arrival
Image Credit: Snap Life Photography Photographer Megan Bowen captured this photo of a vernix-coated infant just after birth.
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Welcome to the world
Image Credit: New Creation Photography Photographer Laura Eckert captured this beautiful image of a baby just after birth but before the first bath.
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Nature’s skincare
Image Credit: Liliana Leahy Photography Photographer Liliana Leahy took this breathtaking image of a baby’s vernix-covered face as it exited the womb.
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A well-protected torso
Image Credit: Birth Blessings Photography A new mom gazes at her vernix-covered baby in awe in this image by Robin Baker.
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First kiss
Image Credit: Breathe Birth Photography Rana of Breathe Birth Photography captured this heartwarming image of a dad kissing his new baby, vernix and all.
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Snuggles before a bath
Image Credit: Ashley Marston Photography Photographer Ashley Marston captured these parents cradling their newborn — vernix and all.
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Hi, Mom!
Image Credit: New Creation Photography A newborn makes vernix and a hat look equally adorable in this photo taken by Laura Eckert.
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What newborns really look like
Image Credit: Birth Blessings Photography Photographer Robin Baker captures what a newborn really looks like in this powerful image.
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Just born
Image Credit: Ashley Marston Photography This beautiful black-and-white image by photographer Ashley Marston shows a vernix-coated baby with a delivery team.
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A precious face
Image Credit: Birth Blessings Photography Photographer Robin Baker proves that even with a vernix coating, an infant’s face is adorable.
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Tuckered out
Image Credit: Breathe Birth Photography Rana of Breathe Birth Photography snapped this sweet photo of a vernix-coated newborn resting with Mom.
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First hello
Image Credit: Birth Blessings Photography A mom holds her baby close following labor in this picture taken by Robin Baker.
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A full coating of vernix
Image Credit: New Creation Photography Photographer Laura Eckert took this photo of an infant coated in a thick, protective layer of vernix.
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Gloriously goopy
Image Credit: Birth Blessings Photography This photo, taken by photographer Robin Baker, shows the awesome reality of what a baby looks like right after birth, bodily fluids and all.
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Sleepy baby
Image Credit: Breathe Birth Photography Traces of vernix are seen on this sweet, sleepy baby in an image by Rana of Breathe Birth Photography.
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Little baby bottom
Image Credit: Leilani Rogers Photography Photographer Leilani Rogers took this sweet photo of a mom holding her tiny baby, with a cool pattern of vernix still visible on its back.
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I’ve arrived!
Image Credit: Birth Blessings Photography A vernix-coated baby makes a loud debut in this image by Robin Baker.
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Bonding with Mom
Image Credit: Breathe Birth Photography A mom holds her infant skin to skin in this powerful picture taken by Rana of Breathe Birth Photography.
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Tub birth
Image Credit: Breathe Birth Photography In these amazing tub birth images taken by Rana of Breathe Birth Photography, we see that vernix can remain on a baby’s skin even after exposure to water.
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The wait is over
Image Credit: Birth Blessings Photography Photographer Robin Baker captured this unique image of a newborn being held aloft.
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Overjoyed parents
Image Credit: New Creation Photography In this photo taken by Laura Eckert, new parents are thrilled to hold their vernix-coated baby.
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