Lots of parents wonder why a newborn photoshoot is three hours long. This is because it can take time for your baby to settle.
You may feel anxious that you have been in my studio for an hour, and I haven’t taken any photos. Don’t worry, preparation is everything and it’s best to first let baby feed and settle, in what will be a new environment. The time this takes varies from baby to baby.
Why isn’t my newborn settling?
Did you know that many parents find the first six to eight weeks the hardest time with their newborn baby? While they may not want to admit it, there are hurdles and challenges common to all during this time.
In the early days most babies find it hard to settle. They like to be close and feel secure. They value cuddles and want to be in your arms a lot of the time. Enjoy these times as they go quickly. So don’t worry about the housework jobs, they won’t go anywhere! In a blink of an eye, they are teenagers and want to be left in peace!
Babies are adapting to the outside world after being so snug inside your tummy for so long. Life becomes a bit of a guessing game, where you react to baby’s needs and wants as best you can.
Is my baby overtired?
Have you noticed that your baby becomes very unsettled when they are overtired?
This is because being overtired activates a stress response, including the release of hormones like cortisol, which makes it even harder for baby to settle. This is when swaddling a baby will help. I have some lovely wraps to do this.
What is the right room temperature for newborn babies?
In my Nottingham studio I try to ensure it is the right temperature for your baby to feel comfortable and relaxed, this is roughly between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius.
Babies struggle to regulate their temperature, which is why I take great care to ensure my studio is just right.
How often will a newborn baby feed?
Babies who are breastfed will usually demand feed. Some babies may have a quick feed then sleep and then want more, some will have longer feeds. They choose, not you!
Bottle-fed babies are generally fed every two to three hours as formula takes longer to digest than breast milk. Every baby is different!
When you book your photoshoot, we try and time it so that your baby is ready for a feed when you arrive at my studio. We use that ‘milk drunk’ time straight after their feed to help them get used to me posing and moving them.
If they have tummy ache or wind it could be because when your baby feeds, whether breast or bottle, they often take in air when they suck.
For mums who breastfeed, getting the latch right will help. Although some foods, including beans, broccoli, cauliflower or some dairy products can cause fussiness, gassiness or colicky behaviour in some babies, as traces of what you eat pass through your milk.
How to settle your newborn baby…
In my studio I use white noise, as babies tend to like this. This is because it mimics the sound your baby heard in the womb and drowns out any unwanted outside noise.
On my posing table I also use a ‘Rocket’ which generates a vibration especially designed for babies. Gentle vibrations have been observed to have a soothing and calming effect on newborns. The rhythmic motion mimics the comforting sensation of being rocked or held, helping babies to relax and feel secure.
During the newborn photoshoot we always go at your baby’s pace, as every baby is different.
If, on the rare occasion (after I’ve used all my knowledge, tricks and tips learned from not only posing lots of babies but also from being a mum of three), baby is just not feeling it I will rearrange. I will never leave you without photographs and would ask you to come back in a few days or the following week, when whatever is causing your baby to be unhappy has stopped.
To book your newborn photoshoot and to find out what’s involved, please visit the newborn photoshoot page on my website.