Hello all experienced Moms,

I am a regular reader of this site and specially this board - because this seems to be the most active board on IP. You girls are great ! I am impressed that you still keep in touch with each other. Keep it up.

I am here with a few questions and looking forward to your responses. I am hoping that you all will guide me with your experiences.

I recently delivered our little princess (about a month back) and now am facing couple of problems.

1. Latching- I have a difficult time in breastfeeding. My baby doesn't latch on properly. What can I do ? Also, is it okay if I give my baby formula 2-3 times - I know its personal choice...but what are your views ? I try to give her my milk every 2 hours.

2. Complexion- when my baby was born, she was extremely fair...but within 2-3 days her color changed. She is almost a month old now and her color is on the darker side ( me & my hubby both are fair). Since her color doesn't seem to change now, I am slightly worried. What can I do to improve her color - any oil, any home remedy, any other solution? Does babies' color change frequently ? If yes, when do they get their final color ?

3. I have heard we should start giving almond + dates paste when the baby is about 2 months old. Is it true ? Or is there any other dryfruit that I can give ? And what should be the quantity and how many times should it be given?

4. Massage- I tried J&J oil for massaging, but didn't like it much. Which oil can I try ?

If there is anything else, that you MOMS can tell me from your experiences, please do let me know. I will be very thankful to you girls.

Thank you,
New mom Greeshma replied. Congratulations :-)

Regarding the Baby complexion, I also had a similar experience.. She was fair while birth and slowly she started becoming little dark. So people used to ask why she is little dark when we both are fair.. After 4 months she started gaining her color back.. Now she is very fair..SO you also can relax till she becomes some 4- 5months..

I used to apply coconut oil initially, but now i use J&J oil only.. I also used to apply egg white during the first few months since she had some rashes and Doc told me that applying egg white before bath is good..

Love to your Little one:-)

Regards,
Greeshma
sowmya replied. hi

Congratulations on the baby... Am no help for you regarding breast feeding my baby is formula fed.... Yes babies color they do change.. My baby was a bit in the darker side when she was born but now she is fair.. my mom used to say that as we give bath to our babies the color will improve... dont worry if u r both fair she will become fair as she grows... i never gave my baby almond paste when she was 2 months.. i think it is too early for that... Try Aveeno oil i too did not like Johnson's..... So what is your princess name?? keep in touch... take care
luv to the little one...
sowmya SK replied. A very hearty congratulations on a baby girl. Name ?

Now answers to your queries
1. Keep trying..you will get there. I had no nipples at all when i started BF my son...i think for almost 25 days after his birth he was bottle feed as he was not latching at all.Then i really got tensed up...and keep trying ..he did cry a lot initially...but it was that one time he just starting drinking..that was it..and it has became much easier after that...do i say just keep trying..whenever you feal she is in a good mood just try it...let her get used to the idea and they have a very natural instinct for it. Practice makes man perfect!

2. I have been told that complexion keeps on changing in babies and u will not know the exact color till atleast s/he is 2-3 years old. My son has become a little fair than he was at birth!

3. I gave my son almond+dry date paste from day 13th after his birth!. I used to rub it on a stone along with BM and get a paste. This is well known in maharashtra india i think.
If u do wish to give...start with very little just a little taste and gradually increase taking care that she is digesting it well..because it is a little heavy to digest. Also initailly make it thin with more BM in it then later you may increase the thickness.
Now i do not give this to my son anymore(it takes time to grind it) instead i give him 1-2 sp of almond paste in cereal in the morning.(he is almost 9 months by the way)

4. I used to use coconut oil before. Now i use 25% coconut + 75% almond oil.
Olive oil is also good they say.i have not tried it though.

thats it..hope i have been atleast a little helpful!

tc,love to you girl.
SK Disha replied. Hi ,

First of all congratulations .
About latching , you and your baby will learn it by practice. It took me some time too . If you have milk then you could breast pump and give the baby by bottle .
Giving formula milk to baby is fine. You can supplement it with your milk . Give around 2-3 ounces . But dont give up hope. I too was in depression the firat 2 months after my delivery cause it takes time to learn breast feeding and then you get tired taking care of the baby too and less sleep at night . Hope you have someone to help you with.
About complexion , I have no idea how you could improve it . I havent heard about the almond and date paste too. I still think your baby is too yound for it.
Massage the baby with either coconut or olive oil.

Take care and love to the baby..whats her name ???

Disha.