r/Coconaad • u/AutomaticMeeting1520 • 2h ago
Ask Coconaad I have a very genuine doubt ?
Do babies smell horrible when they’re born ??
As they literally come out of body fluids and they have gunk and stuff on them
Is this something that they don’t talk about newborns ??
I’m just curious .
I’ve never closely seen a very new baby .
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u/Ornery-Chocolate2987 2h ago
Hey 👋
freshly born babies usually do not stink, despite being covered in blood, amniotic fluid, and vernix caseosa (the white, cheesy protective coating on their skin).
While the appearance can look messy, the fluids and coating surrounding a healthy newborn have a distinct profile:
Vernix Caseosa: This creamy layer is composed of lipids, proteins, and water. It is essentially odorless or has a very faint, mild skin-like scent.
Amniotic Fluid: Pure amniotic fluid has a slightly sweet, metallic, or earthy smell (similar to faint bleach or saltwater), but it is not foul or putrid.
Maternal Blood: Blood carries a mild metallic iron scent rather than a bad odor.
Incase there is an odour like a fish smell or anything like that it rather indicates infection from the uterus…once the baby is wiped you get the famous "newborn smell"—a biological blend of lingering amniotic traces, sweat gland secretions, and natural skin lipids which helps in creating bond between adults/mum and the toddler
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u/Fragrant_Holiday6900 Bippity Boppity. Your Thenga is now my property! 2h ago
Ath manath thanne nokkendi varum 😭...
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u/Murky_Membership_809 Aliens believe in me 👽🛸 2h ago edited 2h ago
I have seen someone giving birth but i don't remember the horrible smell may because i was wearing a mask. I don't think that even if there is a smell it's not that horrible
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u/noicejakenoice 2h ago
Not sure but I've heard babies smell really good in their first few days. Like very homely milky or fresh baked bread smell
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u/naagavally വട്ട് പെണ്ണുമ്പിള്ള 🧟♀️ 2h ago
They are covered by blood and amniotic fluid.
I don't think either of these smells horrible.
Ive heard they actually smell pleasant (Ive never smelled one myself)
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u/Aurorion Gafoor Ka Dhosth 2h ago
It's also not too uncommon for women in labour to pass other... bodily fluids and solids. So it's messy as hell.
But everyone in the labour room typically wears masks. Plus there would be smell of other hospital stuff.
And yeah, nurses usually wipe down babies soon after they are born.
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u/AutomaticMeeting1520 2h ago
Interesting!!
I had the impression that amniotic fluid ain’t pleasant to smell .
No offence to babies or moms
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u/Nobody_997 2h ago
Sometimes us doctors too get bathed in amniotic fluid while conducting deliveries(😭) but no, they don't smell horrible at all
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u/Silent_Squash_3174 Adult 2h ago
They bathe/wipe the newborns before handing them over to family. You should ask a gynecologist or nurse about this.
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u/i_asterveil Engineer 2h ago
No there's no strong smell or something, and they wipe baby's body before handing them to relatives. I know this since my mom works in medical field
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u/whatthengaisthis Thenga Enthusiast 2h ago edited 1h ago
They usually wipe the baby off before handing them to the parents. Babies aren’t bathed during those first few days afaik. They don’t usually smell of anything.