What If My Newborn Baby Won't Sleep? Clarksburg, Maryland Family And Newborn Photographer
Congratulations on your newborn baby! Bringing a newborn baby into the world is one of the most exciting times I can remember as a father. Like me, I bet you’re eager to start snapping photos of every single moment that passes until you’ve filled that iPhone to the max!
There is one common question that I get often. What happens if my newborn baby won’t sleep? Well, to be honest, if your baby won’t sleep, I’ll just photograph him or her awake! There is no steadfast rule that says your baby needs to be asleep. And let’s be honest, that baby isn’t doing anything he or she doesn’t want to at the moment. So I don’t force it.
This blog post serves to guide you through the process so we can make the most out of the session and capture some beautiful portraits whether your newborn is asleep or wide awake!
Newborn Sleep Patterns
Newborns require much more sleep than we adults do. They can sleep anywhere from 16 to 20 hours a day. Now, those hours are of course broken into smaller segments of time. Often in the first several weeks, babies can have their nights and days reversed, and as we all know, that can cause a fussy sleep schedule. Babies are the most sleepy in the first two weeks which is why that is our target time frame to have portraits done. Read more on that here What is the best age for newborn photography?
Preparing for your session
Timing is everything! Find a time when your baby is the sleepiest. This is a good time to consider scheduling your newborn portrait session. You can keep a simple journal for the first week and see if there is a particular time when they tend to be sleepy.
Feeding schedule. If you can, try and nurse or feed your baby right before the session. You will have the privacy to do this in my studio if that makes it easier for you. A full baby is more likely to doze off.
Comfy outfits. Dress your newborn in something that is comfortable. Make sure that it is easy to take on and off. I’m thinking of those onesies with like 800 snaps, Those are fun at 4 a.m. in the pitch black.
Warm room. I do have a space heater here to keep the studio space nice and toasty. Babies will sleep a lot better if the room isn’t cold.
Blog on is newborn photography with it.
What if they just won’t sleep?
Be patient. Babies can pick up on stress so it’s important to keep calm, don’t stress over it. I’m a professional and I’ll work to create beautiful portraits, even if they’re wide awake. I’m a big fan of just letting the baby dictate what they’re going to do.
Practice your swaddle technique! No joke, babies are serious escape experts. I’ swaddled my little guy like a burrito, just to have him pop right out. Ask your nurse at the hospital to show you how they do it, nothing escapes the way they swaddle. A warm, cozy environment will help your baby feel secure. Who knows, they may even doze.
Bring in the family. These are great moments to shoot full family portraits. We can have people interacting with your baby and create some unforgettable moments.
Some tips for a successful session
Communicating with me about your baby’s sleep habits can help me create a session plan and adjust the way I plan which photos I’ll take first.
Stay relaxed. Babies pick up on stress, so the more you keep calm, the easier the session flow will go.
Newborn portrait sessions are a great way to start artfully documenting your famili’s story. While we hope to create those adorable sleepy moments, the awake moments are just as timeless and beautiful. So, if your newborn decides to stay awake during the session, embrace the opportunity to capture their unique personality during your session.