How to keep your baby safe & get amazing newborn photos
September is Baby Safety Month, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to talk about baby safety at newborn sessions!! Before we get started, I think it's important to note that there are two distinct types of newborn session: The Lifestyle Session and the posed baby session.
My personal style is all about Lifestyle Newborn sessions -- I just think it's so important to have beautiful photos of the first week of your baby's life that will preserve the memory of what life was like as your family adjusted to the newest member. The sweet baby cuddles, the tiny toes and fingers, you holding your baby in their nursery -- all the little details that you'll want to remember forever.
Lifestyle newborn photography relies largely on natural newborn positions and emphasizes family. Posed newborn photography is completely different. This is where you see adorable photos of baby being posed with props and backdrops (a fantastic example of this type of photography would be Son Kissed Photography).
Both types of newborn photography are amazing, and it really just comes down to your personal style and what kind of photos you want of your baby. However, when choosing a photographer it's so important to make sure that your photographer is highly experienced in the type of session you want. Posed newborn photography comes with its own set of risks that the photographer should be well prepared to handle, such as how to take the posed images without hurting the baby. I myself am a lifestyle newborn photographer and am up front about that with new clients. I know my limitations, and I would never, ever try to put a baby in a potentially risky pose when there are many qualified and experienced photographers who would know how to do it safely.
1. choose an experienced photographer
You probably figured this tip out on your own based off of the intro to this blog post! The best way to keep your baby safe during the newborn session is to make sure you hire a photographer who is experienced in the particular niche of newborn photography you want (lifestyle vs. posed). If you choose to have posed newborn photos done, be sure that your photographer has done numerous posed sessions before and is knowledgeable about baby safety while posing.
2. Stay close
Mom (or dad) should always stay close when the baby is being photographed solo. You can act as a spotter (more on that later), soothe your baby when they start to get fussy, and feed the baby as needed. I always tell my clients that it's 100% normal to take frequent breaks during the session. It's natural and expected for baby to be fussy and need to eat, and of course our goal is always to take care of the baby's needs. Don't be afraid to ask your photographer for a break if you feel like the baby needs it.
3. Don't let baby get overheated
If you're going to a studio for your newborn session, the photographer will likely have the heat cranked up so that baby is comfortable. It can be easy for the baby to get too warm while swaddled or surrounded by warm props or blankets. It's so important to make sure your baby stays comfortable and doesn't get too hot or too cold. Be sure to watch for signs that the baby is getting overheated. These can include fast or irregular breathing, rapid heartbeat and skin that is red or warm to the touch.
4. Be careful not to overfeed
Chances are your photographer will tell you to feed your baby right before the session so that they'll fall into a "milk coma" and sleep soundly. This often lets us pose the baby more easily and makes for a smoother session. I've even seen photographers recommend that you feed the baby a little more than normal or give a breastfed baby a big bottle to increase chances of them being sleepy. Feeding before the session is definitely okay, but you should never overfeed the baby just for the sake of the session. Overfeeding may lead to gassiness, frequent spitting up, or irritability, and none of those things are good for anyone.
5. always, always have a spotter
See, I told you we'd circle back to this one! Any time the baby is not being held, we want to make sure that there is a spotter within an arm's reach of them. This can be mom, dad, or the photographer's assistant if they have one. This is most import in two scenarios: 1. when baby is being posed in a way that isn't a natural newborn position and 2. when baby is in a basket or other prop that they could potentially fall out of. Even if you're not doing posed newborn photos, any time the baby is laying down alone there should be a spotter. Newborns are deceivingly strong and could potentially roll off of the bed or couch. When it comes to having photos of the baby with older siblings, you know your children and their limitations -- the photographer doesn't. Some siblings will be able to safely hold the baby by themselves, some may just need a little bit of help from mom or dad, and others may be better off just laying down beside the baby. Be sure to communicate with your photographer on what poses will work best for your family.
6. Watch for signs of distress
Many newborns are incredibly calm at their session or sleep soundly through the whole thing, but that isn't always the case. It's completely normal for your baby to be fussy during the session, and if that is the case your photographer should allow for plenty of time for mom to sooth the baby. Newborns still experience stress just like everyone else, and there's a difference between being a little fussy and getting distressed. Watch for signs like mottled skin, excessive squirming, the baby putting their hands up in front of their face, and the baby becoming lethargic after long periods of screaming.
7. Mama knows best
The most important thing to remember when it comes to your newborn session is that YOU know your baby better than anyone else. Don't hesitate to ask your photographer for a break or to end the session if something doesn't feel right to you. No pose or photo is more important than your baby's safety, and you should never apologize for prioritizing your baby's safety.
I hope that these tips will help you feel more confident about your baby's newborn session! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch! You can email me at cspsessions@gmail.com.
