Is giving the newborn date to suck a recommended practice in all cases, or was it for seeking blessing?

Question:
Is not giving the newborn date to suck a form of seeking blessing from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?

Answer:
This is specific to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); their intention in seeking this is to obtain the blessing that Allah has placed in it. However, if the father names the child, or if an elder brother names a younger brother, this is out of respect and there is nothing wrong with it.
Q: No, I mean giving the newborn date to suck, O Shaykh?
The Shaykh: Giving the newborn date to suck is a recommended practice in all cases, always.
Q: With dates?
The Shaykh: With a date; the man chews it and puts it in the child's mouth; his mother, his father, or someone else does this.
The Shaykh: It is all a recommended practice. If he names him on the day of birth, it is a recommended practice, and if he names him on the seventh day, it is a recommended practice. All of this is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Q: Is it permissible to give the newborn date to suck with something other than dates?
The Shaykh: The recommended practice is with dates.