It's hard being a new mom (or even an experienced mom to a new baby) and sometimes we do things we know we shouldn't, despite what all the experts say. But this is a safe place to share your secrets (PM me)—we'll never tell.

This Week's Secret:

My daughter, who is 2 months old now, is ugly. There is really no other way to say it. She is blotchy and red every day. She has infant acne and eczema, her hair is matted and full of cradle cap (and it's black so you can see it well). I love her, obviously, and would do anything for her, but I am seriously concerned for her well being if she continues to look like this. My friends tell me all infants go through an "awkward" phase, but this is ridiculous. I don't even want to share photos of her on Facebook. Am I going to deal with this her whole life?  — Anonymous

I have to chuckle because I thought my daughter was the most gorgeous baby I had ever seen; now I look back on some photos and think she wasn't nearly as cute as I thought at the time. Your friends are right.

My daughter is lovely now, as is my son who also went through infant acne and eczema as a baby. I would say, in fact, that 80 percent of the babies I know, though each precious in their own ways, aren't conventionally "adorable" until they are at least 6 months old. The Gerber baby had to be at least 11 months old!

Try not to worry too much. Her appearance now has no bearing on her appearance even a few months from now. Meanwhile, obviously, there is more to life than appearance. But I am sure you know that, too.

Do you have any advice for this mom?

 

Image via hyku/Flickr