Newborn Photography: Asleep or Awake?
Two of the most common questions I’m asked as a Newborn Photographer go something like this:
How do I make sure my baby stays asleep during their session?
What can I do to keep my baby awake during their session?
And it’s funny to me because as a mom myself and self-proclaimed control freak, I also had a preference before my baby was born: I wanted him awake for his professional photos, but Harry had other (sleepy) plans! I quickly realized once he was here that there’s not a whole lot you can control when it comes to your newborn baby, and that’s okay!
I always tell my mama clients that it’s important to keep an open mind and “go with the flow” on the day of your newborn’s session. No matter what we end up with, just know that you’re going to love your newborn photos and will be so glad you made the investment. And, it’s very rare that your baby stays awake or asleep for the entire session - the majority of galleries I deliver to clients have a perfect balance of awake and asleep images.
That being said, I do have a few helpful tips + tricks for both keeping baby awake and for helping soothe baby to sleep!
5 Tips for a Sleeping Newborn Session:
Schedule your baby’s Newborn Session for 7-14 days post-due date (note: we can always move up or back depending on when baby actually arrives!). The younger the baby, the more likely they are to still be sleepy + snuggly for photos. On the flip side, an earlier session can sometimes be harder on new parents - especially if mom had a C-section and is recovering. Rest assured I will make sure that your photography experience is seamless and relaxing.
In general, babies do best on a full tummy. But they are more likely to stay asleep for their newborn session when they are full, typically the 30 minutes - hour directly following a meal. Try to plan your session time around your baby’s feeding schedule.
Keep your house warm. Babies, especially newborns, love feeling warm + cozy just like they felt in your womb. Turn up your thermometer a couple degrees a few hours before your baby’s session time.
Use a sound machine. Like the above tip, the key here is we’re trying to mimic a womb-like environment. Most babies in my experience find it easier to fall and stay asleep with a white noise machine nearby.
My secret weapon: The Swaddle Pro (aka: “Baby SPANX”). If you’ve ever seen a professional photo of a perfectly swaddled baby, I guarantee you the photographer used this or something similar. I always preface by explaining to parents that this is what MY family photographer used, and Harry absolutely LOVED it. It’s completely safe to use (for no more than 20 minutes at a time and with supervision of course), and helps baby to feel safe and snug as a bug! It also comes in handy for my little “swaddle-ninja” clients, as it adds an extra secure layer underneath their swaddle.
5 Tips for an Awake Newborn Session:
Schedule your baby’s Newborn Session for 3-4 weeks post due-date. In my experience the older baby is, the more alert they will be for their session. Around the 4 week mark is also when babies start to show different facial expressions, which is also so fun to capture!
About 10 minutes before my arrival, strip baby down to their diaper and keep them in a loosely wrapped swaddle or blanket. Keeping them cool (but not uncomfortable), helps to keep them bright + awake! We’ll start their session in a diaper cover (perfect for those simple but sweet detail shots of hands and feet) and then add clothing as we go.
Schedule your session around nap + feeding time. I still do recommend feeding baby before your session, regardless of if you’re wanting baby to stay awake or asleep. In general, babies do well on a full tummy. But when it comes to nap time, try to schedule their session for a window directly following their predicted nap time.
Try and outfit and/or diaper change. Most of my clients opt to use a swaddle from my Client Closet, along with an outfit that’s special to them (ex: the gown they come home from the hospital in, or a sweet outfit they handpicked for baby’s announcement photo). The process of un-swaddling and putting baby in a different outfit tends to do the trick! If that doesn’t work, the cool but gentle feeling of a baby wipe during a diaper change can also help wake baby.
Time… and patience! This is one of the reasons why my Newborn Sessions are 1-1.5 hours long. At the end of the day, we’re on baby’s schedule!
If you’re an expecting mama and considering hiring a professional photographer for your baby’s newborn photos, I’d love to chat! Click or tap the button below and fill out my inquiry form. I’ll be in touch!