6 Tips to Help Your Baby Sleep for a Successful

St. Louis Newborn Photoshoot

Everyone wants their baby to sleep calmly for their St. Louis newborn photoshoot… but in the back of your mind, you’re worried the photo session won’t go well! 

First, I’ll say that, no matter if your baby sleeps through it all or if he is a little unhappy, we will STILL get great images of your sweet baby! There are always ways to work around your baby’s needs and that’s why we plan for 3 hours. Your little one will have plenty of time to eat and be taken care of.  Curious about the timeline for your St. Louis newborn photoshoot?

But, maybe you want to do everything you can to make the session easy for everyone? Great! I have a few tips to make sure your baby is relaxed and ready to snooze!

 

Feed Your Baby to Help Your Baby Sleep for a Successful St. Louis Newborn Photoshoot

Feed baby before your photographer gets to your house or before you arrive at their studio. You’ll be able to feed baby again right before we start and there are plenty of breaks to feed your baby again, but this helps us start on time.  A full belly helps us get some good sleepy pictures and obviously we want a happy, well taken care of baby! 

 

Bring a Pacifier to Help Your Baby Sleep for a Successful St. Louis Newborn Photoshoot

Bring a pacifier. Even if baby doesn’t regularly take one, it can make things easier with getting them to sleep without rocking them when they’re already in position. If you don’t plan on offering a pacifier to your baby at all, I understand, but if you do, please remember it!

 

Turn up the Heat to Help Your Baby Sleep for a Successful St. Louis Newborn Photoshoot

Turn up the heat! Especially for the naked poses, keeping the temperature around 78 degrees helps your baby stay asleep and not get chilly. Babies sleep much sounder and are way more happy when they’re kept warm. I also always have a space heater to blow right on baby if the room isn’t quite warm enough, yet, and I keep my studio at the perfect temperature for babies. For other family members- dress in layers! You’re going to get toasty!

*Learn more about safety at Sutherland Photography.

 

Use White Noise to Help Your Baby Sleep for a Successful St. Louis Newborn Photoshoot

Use a sound machine! It’s no secret babies sleep better with white noise, but it’s not something everyone thinks about for newborn pictures. I typically use an app on my phone called Sleep Pillow so it’s one less thing to carry around. Then there are no cords and I can change the volume or position it somewhere different as we move through the newborn photoshoot, but if you have something you know helps your baby relax, bring it to your St. Louis newborn photoshoot.

 

Family Photos First to Help Your Baby Sleep for a Successful St. Louis Newborn Photoshoot

Photograph the family together and sibling with baby pictures FIRST! That way, when finished with family pictures, dad or grandma or another family member can take the siblings to the park or to get a treat or go for a walk- anything to get them up and moving around instead of being stuck trying to be quiet. Also, all the movement of the family pictures can wear your little one out!

 

 

Relax to Help Your Baby Sleep for a Successful St. Louis Newborn Photoshoot

Relax! Your newborn will feed off your stress. We will have plenty of time and even if baby is unhappy, we will get some pictures to document this special time.