Some mom’s are so nervous about their baby’s not sleeping for their newborn session, but don’t sweat it! Some babies show up wide eyed and rearing to go for their newborn session, and that’s OK! It’s nice to get some open eyed images during your session. My son woke up at the end of his session, and I asked the photographer to take a couple of him with his eyes open. They are some of my favorite pictures.
I typically try to get some sleepy pictures depending on the session package that was booked because newborn baby’s eyes are not fully developed and can’t focus, sometimes their eyes also cross. If you book the biggest package I will do a method called unsoothing. Instead of trying to soothe baby to sleep I make sure they have had a good feeding, and then let them burn some energy by staying awake moving their limbs. If they cry while getting some exercise, I pick them up to comfort them. But by letting them burn some calories they get sleepy naturally. They will go into a deeper sleep and for a longer period of time. This allows to get multiple poses right in a row, rather than stopping in between to try to get baby back to sleep.
You can also do a huge part in ensuring we get some sleepy peaceful images. If you followthe prep guide I send to all parents when a newborn session is booked it helps immensely. By prepping baby you are pretty much doing the unsoothing method at home. You try to keep them up for an hour to an hour and a half before the session. I know some mom’s say my baby ALWAYS sleeps they don’t need the prep. At home baby is typically clothed, wrapped and left to sleep or snuggled to sleep. During the session we move and pose baby a lot so it’s a lot more moving than they’re use to. So even if you think you’re baby sleeps a lot the prep work is KEY! After keeping them awake for an hour, make sure they have a clean diaper, full belly, and hopefully nice burp. By the time you get to my photography studio baby is typically very sleepy.
ROCHESTER NY NEWBORN & BABY PHOTOGRAPHER
Stefanie Nicole Photography specializes in maternity, newborn, baby, and cake smash photography. Based in Rochester, NY and serving the surrounding area including Brighton, Pittsford, Penfield, Mendon, Victor, East Rochester, Fairport, Honeoye Falls, and Henrietta.
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