There’s nothing like that newborn smell! It’s so warming, sweet, and addictive. Ever had family or friends just want to get a sniff of your baby’s head? Have you ever found your nose buried into their little necks just taking in their scent like it’s the best therapy ever? Why do babies smell so good? It’s a question many mothers wonder about. Prepare yourself! You may be shocked to learn why!
Vernix Caseosa
Doctors believe the reason behind the “newborn scent” is because of vernix caseosa. What is this? When a baby is born, it naturally comes out covered in a white, sticky film. This coating is healthy for the baby. Often doctors quickly wipe it away to present a “clean” baby to the new mother. However, today some women are asking for the vernix caseosa not to be removed until they say so. Why? This coating helps protect the baby from bad bacteria! Additionally, it keeps the baby’s skin hydrated. It is this natural coating that professionals believe may be the reason behind the newborn scent.
How Long Will My Baby Smell Like A Newborn?
This natural baby scent may last longer on some infants than others. I don’t remember how long my first born had that sweet newborn smell. However, my second smelled like a newborn at least for 3 months! Even at 1 year of age, sometimes I think I can still smell it. Perhaps I’m getting it mixed up with her baby shampoo and laundry detergent smell.
Why Does The Baby Scent Fade?
There are some factors that come into play when we consider that sweet infant smell fading away. What may cause this to happen? Let’s discuss some of these factors.
Drinking Formula
Although this may not be proven scientifically, as a mother who both breastfed and used formula, I could tell a difference with how my baby smelled. When she drank just breastmilk, she smelled so good! She had that sweet, wonderful baby smell! On the other hand, when I gave her formula, within a few hours, she had a scent of formula. This wasn’t because formula was on her clothes. I was very dedicated to keeping milk residue off of her simply because I hated the sour smell it made. There was a notable difference to me in my baby’s natural scent when she drank breastmilk verses when she drank formula!
Milk Residue On Clothing And Skin
Secondly, another reason why the newborn scent may fade is due to milk residue on their skin and clothing. We hinted at this in the point above. When a baby drinks milk, often some runs down their face, gets into the neck creases, and on their clothing. Although we do our best to clean them up, sometimes there’s still some remaining on their clothes or hidden on them somewhere.
Interesting point here. I found my very newborn babies hands and feet ALWAYS smelled like sour milk! Newborns clench their fists tight, and it was hard for me to clean my newborns hands well after nursing. So she often had stinky hands! Her feet smelled bad too. I think this is because the feet naturally have a lot of sweat glands (just like the arm pits). To fix this, I simply did my best to wipe her feet and between her toes down super well with a lightly sudsy wash cloth every day.
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Introduction To Solid Foods
Thirdly why that coveted newborn scent may fade is because baby is being introduced to solid food. You know how when you eat garlic or onion you can later smell it on yourself? Or perhaps you’ve smelled it on someone else? That’s because we smell like what we eat! I’m not going to go into the science behind why that is here. However, it is a fact.
When babies are introduced to solid foods, it changes their body’s natural scent. As they eat more solid food, they will naturally need less breastmilk or formula. Sadly, that newborn scent that can bring a mother to tears will slowly fade away!
Weaning
Introduction to solid foods and weaning go hand-in-hand. As we discussed above, when a baby eats more solid foods, they drink less milk. In the same way, when a baby is weaned (either self-weaned or mother-lead), they will need more solid food to replace the calories needed from milk. Drinking less breastmilk may decrease that sweet baby smell. I can’t speak for formula, because in my experience, when my babies drank formula, they didn’t smell good to me anymore.
Why I Got Mad At My Husband
When my second was born, I was in a healthier state of mind and space to actually enjoy her newborn scent. What a blessing to my heart! I often would cuddle her close just so I could smell her. Undoubtedly many mothers find their baby’s scent pleasing and therapeutic for them. Some, like myself, may be a little protective of their baby’s newborn scent!
One day, when my daughter was probably only a month old, I noticed she had no baby scent on her! I was confused and a little mad. Her hair was wet, and her head didn’t smell sweet at all! I was pretty upset. Later I asked my husband what he did to make our daughter’s head wet. He informed me that he had used a baby wipe to clean her off really quick before we needed to head out the door for church.
These are the words that immediately came out of my mouth, “Babe! You can’t do that! I can’t smell her baby scent anymore! That smell is so special to me. Please don’t ever use a baby wipe on her head again. Use a wet cloth instead!”
Summary
Well, there you go Mama! Now you know why babies smell so good and what causes that smell to fade. If you’re like me and trying to keep that baby scent around for as long as possible, this is my personal advice. Breastfeed as much as you can, because in my opinion, babies smell sweeter when given breastmilk over formula. Secondly, keep your baby’s clothes, hands and feet clean of milk residue. They will smell cleaner and better if you do. Finally, don’t use baby wipes to clean your baby’s head!
Leave A Comment Below!
What about your baby’s smell do you love? What feelings does it bring you? Share it with us in the comments below!
Want To Know More?
If you want to learn more about infant health, check out these related articles below.
Baby’s 1st Week – How Much Milk Does Baby Need?
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Potty Training: When To Ditch The Diaper