How I get your newborn to sleep during their newborn photography session.

I often get asked, “How do you manage to keep newborn babies asleep during their photo shoot?” The simple answer is pixie dust! Well that's not true, I wish I were a magician! But in reality, there's no magic wand for this; it's a blend of patience, experience, and a few handy techniques I've picked up over the past 18 years of photographing babies. Allow me to share my secrets for helping babies drift off to sleep and stay that way throughout their newborn photo session.

Patience & Meeting Basic Needs

The most important element when working with newborns is patience. Every baby is different, and sometimes it takes a bit of time for them to settle into their comfort zone. My approach always begins with ensuring the baby’s basic needs are met. If a baby isn’t calming down, I start by checking for the essentials: Is the baby hungry? Does the diaper need changing? Or maybe the little one needs a good burp? Once these possibilities have been ruled out, I consult with the parents to see what works best for their baby. Over the years, I’ve found that asking parents lots of questions about their baby’s habits and preferences helps me cater to the baby's needs, making the session smoother for everyone.

A hungry newborn will not sleep.

Baby-Led Approach

The cornerstone of my newborn sessions is letting the baby take the lead. This means that I remain flexible and adjust the planned setups based on how the baby is feeling. I always inform parents that we’ll do a mix of wrapped and unwrapped setups, but sometimes, depending on how the baby is responding, we may need to stick with mostly wrapped shots. Regardless of whether the baby is wrapped or not, I always aim to capture those adorable moments that parents will cherish.

Embracing the Awake Moments

What if all the basics have been taken care of, and the baby is still wide awake? Well, I’ve learned to embrace these moments! If the baby is calm and alert, I take the opportunity to capture some beautiful awake photos. Parents love having pictures of their little one with their eyes open, as it captures a different side of their baby’s personality. On the other hand, if the baby is upset and awake, I do whatever I can to soothe and calm them first, ensuring that I get those serene awake shots afterward.

Tricks of the Trade

As one of the best Los Angeles newborn photographers, I’ve developed a few tricks to help guide babies into a peaceful sleep. Here’s what works for me:

• Warm Room: I keep the studio warm, typically around 80 degrees, to help the baby feel cozy. If the baby is wrapped, I might lower the temperature a bit, and if they seem to be getting too warm, I adjust the thermostat or turn on the ceiling fan.

• Pacifiers: If the baby takes a pacifier, I’ll use it to help soothe them. However, I find that many newborns don’t always take to a pacifier, so I don’t rely on it too much.

One of my most effective tricks is using my hands to gently hold the baby’s hands and arms. By keeping their hands from hitting or scratching their face, I prevent them from startling themselves awake. This simple act helps them settle back to sleep more easily and makes a big difference during the session.

Favorite Baby Soothing Products

I often get asked about the specific products I use to help soothe babies during the session. Here are a few of my go-to tools:

• White Noise Machine: I use a portable, rechargeable white noise machine that plays continuously during the session, creating a calming environment. It’s been a game-changer, and many parents bring their own versions as well.

• Baby Shusher: This nifty gadget mimics the sound of rhythmic shushing, which is incredibly soothing for babies. It has a timer, so I do have to reset it occasionally, but the calming effect is worth the effort. There’s also an app version, though I haven’t tried it yet.

In summary, while there’s no magic formula for keeping newborns asleep, it all comes down to patience, a baby-led approach, and a few helpful tricks and tools. The result is a beautiful, relaxing experience that allows me to capture those precious moments that families will treasure for a lifetime.

Looking to book your baby's newborn session? Please reach out to me and I'll get back to you with my newborn photography session pricing and my studio's availability.