How to prepare for your Newborn Session

Welcome, and thank you for trusting me to capture these precious first moments with your little one! Newborn sessions are a beautiful way to freeze time and cherish your baby’s earliest days forever. To make the experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible, here are some helpful tips to ensure a successful session.

1. Timing is Everything

Newborns photograph best when they are between 5-14 days old because they are still very sleepy and naturally curl into those adorable, womb-like poses. If your baby is already past this stage, don’t worry! We can still create beautiful images while accommodating their alertness and growing personality, ideally if momma is feeling well we can aim for under two weeks old.

2. Keeping Baby Comfortable

A warm and cozy baby is a happy baby! My studio is heated to ensure your little one stays comfortable throughout the session. Dress them in a loose-fitting onesie (without tight socks or diapers) to avoid marks on their delicate skin. Ideally a zip-up that I can slip off to get them wrapped up without pulling anything over their head.

If possible, try to feed your baby right before arriving so they are full and relaxed.

3. What to Bring

Here are a few essentials to bring along for your session:
✔ A pacifier (even if your baby doesn’t normally take one, it can help with soothing)
✔ A special keepsake item you might want included(optional but meaningful)
✔ Extra milk (bottle or breastfed) in case we need a top-up during the session
✔ Extra diapers and wipes. I keep extras in studio of course but if you need something different then the standard Pampers or Huggies please provide them.

4. What Parents & Siblings Should Wear

For parents and siblings joining in the session, simple, neutral, or soft pastel tones work best. Avoid busy patterns or logos to keep the focus on the baby. Soft fabrics and light layers photograph beautifully and create timeless images. Reminder the family poses are only included in the top newborn package.

5. Patience is Key

Newborn sessions take time, usually lasting 2-3 hours, allowing for feeding, soothing, and gentle posing. Your baby will set the pace, and I’ll follow their lead to ensure a stress-free experience. If your little one needs a break, we pause—there’s no rush! Feel free to change into something more comfortable after your photos, the studio can get warm and I’d like you to stay comfortable incase the session does take longer then we expect.

6. Safety First

Your baby’s safety is my top priority. Every pose is done with gentle handling and professional expertise, ensuring they are secure and comfortable at all times. With years of training and practice, I’ll do my best to make things run smoothly and ensure your sweet baby is comfortable. Understand not all babies will pose in every pose, depending on how they were in your tummy during pregnancy some babies will have different comfort levels in different poses.

7. Breast feeding mothers

The foods a breastfeeding mom eats can directly impact her newborn’s digestion, comfort, and overall well-being in those early weeks. Some foods, like dairy or spicy meals, may cause gas or fussiness, while nutrient-rich options like oats and leafy greens can support milk production and a healthy supply.

Here’s a list of foods that some breastfeeding mothers may choose to avoid or limit to help keep their newborn calm and comfortable:

1. Dairy Products – Some babies are sensitive to cow’s milk proteins, which can cause gas, fussiness, or reflux.
2. Caffeine – Found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and soda, caffeine can pass through breast milk and make babies restless or disrupt sleep.
3. Spicy Foods – Strong flavours from spicy foods may cause digestive discomfort or fussiness in some newborns.
4. Citrus Fruits – Oranges, lemons, and grapefruits can be acidic and may lead to diaper rash or an upset tummy.
5. Cruciferous Vegetables – Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts can cause gas in some babies.
6. Chocolate – Contains both caffeine and theobromine, which may contribute to wakefulness or fussiness. (Who are we kidding, I can’t expect you to cut out chocolate but it can help a day before your session!)
7. Peppermint & Sage – These herbs may decrease milk supply if consumed in large amounts.
8. Garlic & Onions – Strong flavors can alter the taste of breast milk and may cause some babies to be fussy or refuse to nurse.
9. Nuts & Eggs – If there’s a family history of allergies, some moms choose to limit these to watch for any reactions in their baby.
10. Alcohol – Can pass into breast milk and affect a newborn’s development, sleep patterns, and feeding habits.

Every baby is different, so keeping a food diary and monitoring your baby’s reactions can help identify any sensitivities. If you suspect a food is causing discomfort, try eliminating it for a coupe days to see if symptoms improve. I know this is hard to do in the first couple weeks, but even if you can’t think about this for your session, you can keep these in mind for the first few months of motherhood.

8. Circumcision

If you are planning a circumcision for your little boy, please let me know and we will plan your session about 3-4 days after that, or have your session planned for before the circumcision. It’s important to avoid scheduling your newborn session right after a circumcision, as your baby will need time to heal and may be more sensitive, fussy, or uncomfortable during posing and handling.

9. Colours for your session

Get excited for your newborn session! You’ll have the opportunity to choose 2-3 colours for your newborn sessions. Think about colours you have on your wall, and what matches your home and personalities. Creating a timeless and personalized look you’ll cherish forever. The colours I have are softer tones, more muted with no bright neon colours. View my gallery here to get a better idea of colours I have. Let me know what you love, and I’ll set up what I can before your arrive.

I’m so excited to create timeless images of your beautiful baby! If you have any questions or special requests before your session, don’t hesitate to reach out.

See you soon! 💕
-Vicki

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