A mother-of-four is being roasted online after she revealed that she is not planning on washing her newborn baby for a whole month because she said it’s healthier for him.
Shahnta Hoare, 24, from Silverdale, Washington, recently gave birth to her fourth son with her husband, Tyler.
However, the mom is now receiving a lot of scrutiny online after she announced that she has not bathed her son since his birth on May 6 – and that she has no plans to anytime soon.
The baby, named Ozzy, is still covered in the fluid that he was born with – known as vernix caseosa – but Shahnta insisted that they are not going to wash it off because it ‘gives a protective barrier’ to the baby and is ‘an antimicrobial.’
She also claimed that soap can dry out babies’ ‘delicate’ and ‘fragile’ skin.
A mom is being roasted online after she revealed that she is not planning on washing her newborn baby for a whole month because she said it’s healthier for him
Shahnta Hoare, 24, from Silverdale, Washington, recently gave birth to her fourth son with her husband, Tyler
However, the mom-of-four is now receiving a lot of scrutiny online after she announced that she has not bathed her son since his birth on May 6 – and that she has no plans to anytime soon
The baby, named Ozzy, is still covered in the fluid that he was born with – known as vernix caseosa – since she said soap can dry out babies’ ‘delicate’ and ‘fragile’ skin
‘My husband and I decided to not bathe our son because of the health benefits,’ she told The Post recently.
Shahnta insisted that they are not going to wash the vernix off because it ‘gives a protective barrier’ to the baby and is ‘an antimicrobial’
‘It helps newborns regulate their body temperature with skin to skin, it gives a protective barrier and is an antimicrobial as well.’
She opened up about her plans to keep Ozzy covered in the vernix caseosa in a TikTok video which quickly went viral – receiving more than nine millions views and sparking a major debate between viewers.
‘We actually don’t give baths for, like, the first month,’ she explained in the clip. ‘Ozzy didn’t get wiped off of anything. What you see in that video stayed on him until it naturally came off.
‘Vernix is actually really good to keep on their skin, it’s super, super moisturizing. It’s almost a little oily.
‘He had it in his neck creases, in his ears, fingers, toes, it’s the best. I know it is maybe gross to some but when it’s your own baby, you’re like, this stuff is so good.
She opened up about her plans to keep Ozzy covered in the vernix caseosa on TikTok and it went viral – receiving more than nine millions views and sparking a major debate
‘We actually don’t give baths for, like, the first month,’ she explained in the clip. ‘Vernix is actually really good to keep on their skin, it’s super, super moisturizing’
She said the substance ‘naturally came off’ of the baby, adding, ‘I know it is maybe gross to some but when it’s your own baby, you’re like, this stuff is so good’
‘So yeah, he didn’t get wiped and he won’t get his first bath for many more weeks.’
Many viewers were disgusted by Shahnta’s decision to not clean off her baby, and they took to the comment section to share their thoughts.
‘If my baby isn’t sparkling clean I will not be touching it,’ wrote one person.
Another added, ‘I couldn’t imagine anything worse.’
‘Why? Like, how is this OK for a newborn?’ asked someone else.
A fourth comment read, ‘I’m sorry but this is the first time I’ve ever heard of this, and I don’t mean to judge but no. I feel like this wouldn’t work for me.’
‘OMG. What y’all got against being clean?’ read another comment.
However, others agreed with Shahnta’s position on bathing, and revealed that they did the same thing with their kids.
‘I’m convinced this is why my kids don’t have skin issues,’ wrote one mother.
‘We did the same with both our kids. That’s how you create good gut health from infancy,’ agreed another person.
Someone else said, ‘Yes I wish more mothers did this. That is the best moisturizer ever. I even put it on my hands and face.’
Many viewers were disgusted by Shahnta’s decision to not clean off her baby, and they took to the comment section to share their thoughts
However, others agreed with Shahnta’s position on bathing, and revealed that they did the same thing with their kids
‘I’m a student midwife and what you are saying is what we do recommend,’ said someone else. ‘Even the gunkiest babies look super clean by like two hours postpartum.’
‘It doesn’t naturally come off, it absorbs. It’s the best thing for their skin,’ claimed a different TikTok user. ‘I didn’t bathe my fifth [kid] for a month too.’
Another added, ‘Some of you fail to realize that vernix was put there for a reason. Our babies are born with it because it is an added layer or protection.’
In response to some of the backlash, Shahnta posted a follow up video, in which she told her followers to ‘chill with being so judgmental.’
‘Newborns really aren’t dirty, they don’t get dirty,’ she said. ‘Their bums and stuff, you can clean, but there’s no reason to use soap.
‘In fact, it’s really not recommended to use soap on those areas. Of course, with a chunky baby, you’re going to get stuff – spit up – in their rolls, some babies spit up a lot more than others.
‘But you can just take a damp rag and clean it up. Their skin is really fragile and delicate and it can get dried out really easy. That’s why we choose not to use soap.’
She asked her viewers to remember that anyone can do whatever they want with their own children.
‘Please remember, what you want to do with your baby is totally fine, I do not judge you,’ she added.
‘If you want to wipe off your baby and give them a bath before you even touch them, that is your choice.
‘If you don’t want to bathe your baby for the first two months, that’s also your choice.’
Vernix caseosa is a ‘protective coating that forms on baby’s skin in utero,’ HappiestBaby.com reported.
‘It is a thick, greasy substance made of water, fatty acids, and proteins, and it creates a moisturizing barrier for your baby’s skin.
‘The vernix protects and hydrates babies’ delicate skin so that it does not chap or wrinkle.’
In response to some of the backlash, Shahnta posted a follow up video, in which she told her followers to ‘chill with being so judgmental’
She said, ‘Their skin is really fragile and delicate and it can get dried out really easy. That’s why we choose not to use soap’
HappiestBaby.com reported that the vernix can help prevent infection and moisturize the baby’s skin, but it only recommends to keep it on for a ‘day or so’
The outlet added that it can help prevent infection, fight off bacteria, and keep babies warmer.
The World Health Organization recommends leaving the vernix on a baby’s skin for at least six hours, preferably 24 hours
However, it only recommends to keep the vernix on your baby’s skin for a ‘day or so.’
‘Though your first impulse may be to clean this goop off ASAP, many parents instead rub the vernix into the skin and hold off the first sponge bath for a few hours (up to a day) to let the vernix continue its important job,’ it added.
‘After a day or so, the vernix often starts to get a little smelly and you will want to do a little soapy sponge bath to clean off any bacteria starting to collect on your little baby’s delicate skin.
‘You may need to use a moistened cotton swab to remove the thicker layer of vernix deposited deep in your baby’s skin folds.
‘Don’t stress over getting it all out right away… It often takes three to five days to remove it, bit by bit.’
The World Health Organization recommends leaving the vernix on a baby’s skin for at least six hours, preferably 24 hours.
Dr. John Whyte, chief medical officer of WebMD, told The Post, ‘Waiting 30 days is likely too long.
‘Most experts suggest one can wait up to a week for the first bath. The bath will wipe away that protective covering.’
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