Sleepy Baby Tips
There is no doubt that being a new parent can be over whelming, especially those first few weeks. I totally understand being a parent myself, I can relate with you. It will all be worth it. There is no other time that your precious baby will look quite like he/she does now. The peaceful curled up babies seen throughout my work all have one thing in common; their parents all prepped the same way before their session. A peaceful state of sleepiness is the ultimate goal of our newborn session. To ensure this, I’m asking a little bit of prep from you! A sleepy baby is critical to the success of your newborn session so please follow all of my helpful tips and instructions. I’ve photographed many babies and have concocted the perfect sleep equation!
Bath + Full Feeding + A couple hours awake = Sleepy Baby & Amazing Session!
Prep from Mom & Dad
1. Prep Home -Please dress causal and cool for beginning of session. – Please turn up the heat a hour before session time (80 max) This may seem extreme and I advise having one room closed off with fan or window open for you to retreat and cool off in. – Please do not worry about cleaning your whole house, I will make room where I need. And I will only photograph in rooms that you want to be documented in.
Milk- If your breastfeeding than try to stay nice an hydrated and eat hearty meals- If bottle than please prep 1-2 extra feedings than you expect to need.
Parent shots are my favorite, capturing the connection between you and your baby is something you will cherish. Skin to skin is not just for the hospital, but it creates the most stunning images. Dads if your not comfortable going shirtless than wear a tight fitting shirt (white or black) with well fiting jeans Moms keep your tops simple in design (tanks or classic tshirts) your hands will be in the images so avoid nail polish or go with something neutral. Also all parent images are close and personal and I aim to use angles that are flattering to all post baby body types.
Sibling- Photographing the newest member of your family with your already beloved members is a great way to document your growing family. For sisters please have a well fiting neutral top perferably a tank top. Hair nautral or in braids, free of bows or ties and clean nails. Brothers well fiting jeans and if not shirtless than well fiting white t-shirt. W e start with baby and so there is ample time for mom to prep hair and makeup!
Pacifier- While this is not a requirement it is super helpful even if you never plan to use one, having it available for the short two hours session can make a session go smoother.
2. Bathe Baby– The purpose of the bath is not just to clean the baby and ensure the fabulous soft fuzzy baby hair; it also makes them smell amazing! While all that is true, the real reason for the bath is to keep baby awake and tire them out. If your baby’s umbilical cord is off, please give a full bath otherwise sponge bathe. The key is to linger during the bath, draw it out longer than you normally would. You want your baby awake so dilly dally and take your time as to tire them out. If mom and baby want to bathe together this is a great bonding time and can double as feeding time too- plan this about hour before session time. I will show and have to set up which will give you ample time to swaddle baby and dress after bath.
3. Full Feeding– Feed the Baby- Give your baby a FULL Feeding right before I arrive. This is not a “snack” feeding- tickle feet, change the diaper, do anything and everything you can to keep the baby awake and ensure a full feeding. A full tummy equals a sleepy baby! Tip- After baby is fully fed, swaddle with a loose diaper and place in a baby bouncer or swing or rock baby while waiting for me to arrive. Once I arrive I will wrap them in a swaddle that i will provide that is ready for your documented images.
Extra Tips:
- Please avoid visitors for your session day.
- Please avoid making appointments your session day.
- Please be relaxed and comfy, wear your pajamas if you want.
- Please Enjoy your session, and put on music or diffuse lavendar essential oils.
Things you can expect from me on the day of the shoot:
- The shoots usually take about an 1 hour or 1 1/2 hours. Depending on baby and siblings.
- The temperature should be a nice and warm (80 degrees +). Since we will be undressing baby for the photos we want baby warm and to keep him/ her sleepy and comfortable.
- I will have a white noise machine to help keep baby calm
- Lots of poses with family, sibling (s), and baby alone
- Be prepared for explosions of all kinds if we plan on baby being naked for any poses. Poop, pee and spit up may go flying or spraying on anything around. I will have burp cloths, wipes and clean up stuff out and ready! Be ready to have a change of clothing.
- I will have wraps, blankets and headbands for girls and hats.
