As a newborn photographer, I have seen many exhausted and sleep-deprived parents coming for the photoshoot with their precious newborns & is, most of the time, one of the problems they want the solution for.

Mostly, during this conversation, I remember the time Aveer (my son) was born and how Manish (my hubby) & I managed to ensure he gets proper sleep ensuring we are not exhausted. It was important for us since Manish had an office and I had to take care of the home and a baby throughout the day alone.

Fortunately, we got hold of ourselves well in time, equipped ourselves with some key newborn sleep realities, tried a few things, and implemented it to the best of our abilities which resulted in sound sleeps at nights and a happier baby during the day.

Tips To Help Newborn Sleep for Longer Stretches

To be honest, I should admit it’s not a perfect process. One needs to experiment and see what works well for the baby. It’s all about trying and adopting what works well for your baby.

We used the below-mentioned tips for our son and he never gave us any problems. He slept so well, Manish & I enjoyed time with each other. On top of it, whenever Aveer was awake, he used to be happy and engaging.

A newborn child won’t comprehend all that you’re doing or why. Yet, reading is an important activity you should pursue and should continue for years to come.

It teaches babies about communication and helps them understand the concept of numbers, letters, hues, shapes, and gives infants info about their general surroundings in a great way. It also builds their listening habit, memory, and vocabulary skills.

Hearing words assists with building a rich network of words in a child’s mind. I have experienced it myself while I have been reading regularly to Aveer since when he was 5 months old.

Firstly we get a lot of books for babies in the market including famous ones like The Hungry Caterpillar, Brown Bear, and so on. But today I want to tell you about the top 5 books which you can buy for infants which can help them till they are toddlers! So from 6 months to around 3 years. I have based my review on my understanding and the improvements I have seen in Aveer in vocabulary or habits or identification of various things including animals, birds, letters, and numbers.

Let’s start:

The next book or set of books that I want to talk about is this beautiful set of 10 board books from Solimo.

This pack is amazing and the best thing which I like about it is that each book has real-life characters. This was my conscious decision to buy a board book that will have the real-life characters which Aveer can see and identify, unlike the animated characters.

So when Aveer was 6 months old, I ordered this pack and used to show him the pictures, turning the book page by page and talking to him about the objects. He learned a lot from these books including fruits and vegetables, animals, birds, and regular common use objects. I also ensured to show him the real fruits or veggies while reading.

It wasn’t that he started understanding things from the first day but honestly, I did get surprised when one fine day he picked up an onion from the wicker basket and told me Mumma “Anion.” It was so pleasing and heartwarming he said Mumma Nanna – for banana and gradually started picking other words.

And now that he is a toddler, he has started picking up Alphabets and counting – which he is still learning. This book set is something which I still use for him and I highly recommend this one to all parents.

Tip #3 – INCY WINCY SPIDER by igloo books

This book is very appropriate in size for babies – they can easily hold it – whether they are infants or toddlers. I think apart from mini board books, this is the perfect size which I have come across for baby books.

This book has a sound button. Aveer cherishes finding the button and making the music play and viewing while I sing along and do the hand activities. It can get somewhat repetitive but we made incy wincy spider remixes as my little one loved squeezing the button to such an extent!

When Aveer was an infant he used to love the sound and bright colors a lot. Pressing the button and listening was his favorite thing. He improved his motor skills trying to press the button a little harder and then turning the pages also helped him develop his hand-eye coordination.

Around 1.75 years, I understood that he has learned the rhyme and the tune of the rhyme. He started humming the tune and singing the rhyme. He also understood the concept of rain showers come due to clouds in the sky and when the sun comes rain goes away.

Book #4 – FIVE LITTLE KITTENS by Little Bee

The next book on my list is this beautiful book called FIVE LITTLE KITTENS by Little Bee – when I saw this book, I knew I have to buy this! This book has this beautiful feature where a baby can slide the cats and the cats are embossed for giving a touch and feel feature.

When I introduced this book to him for the first time as an infant, all he loved to do was trying to touch and move the kittens – he loved that! When he was around a year, he started identifying hidden cats. Also started understanding about the garden, rabbits, dogs, and of course about cats through this book. All he used to say when he was between 1-1.5 years old was catty, bow-bow and he just loved it if he used to spot a dog or cat. Maybe he developed that fascination through this book. I feel books just help them to widen their imagination and learn new things every day as babies are very smart and they grasp quickly!

He also learned saying the number 5 due to the title of this book and counting from 1 to 5. And now that Aveer is already a toddler, he knows that the cat is playing peekaboo and he loves to play hide and seek with us! He just loves it and can play on and on and on! He does try to hide at new places and find us if we are hiding and he is seeking. A must-have for little ones.

Alright now coming to the 5th book which I recommend and that is this book called SHARE by Autumn Publications.

This is such a fantastic book I must say as it has inculcated a habit of Sharing in him gradually. This has a series of books and we have other books also in this like Please, Thankyou, etc. I particularly picked up this one as I wanted him to have this habit.

The size of this book is again apt for infants and toddlers and this book also has some amazing colorful illustrations.

As an infant, Aveer loved to turn the pages, see colorful illustrations for hours!

This book has a beautiful story on sharing and the message has been beautifully explained.

When Aveer turned around 1.5 years, he started recognizing so many animals just because of this book! Lemur is something he learned to identify because of this book and he used to name this book Lemur book! He also learned about Tapir, about monkey having banana from a tree, and learned to identify Toucan bird with a beautiful beak through this book.

Now when he is around 2 I have observed that he doesn’t have much problem sharing his things with others. He is more than happy calling his friends at home and playing with them. I must say that kids start understanding and grasp the deeper messages which these books are meant to impart.

I hence for sure recommend this series of books if you are looking to teach some good habits to your child right from early on.

During the first few years of your baby’s life, you’ll click hundreds of photographs. And for sure amongst all those photographs newborn photographs are precious, valuable, and timeless. It takes a special setting, tone, and a professional newborn photographer to guarantee that those photographs are as commendable as they have the right to be. Professional tips during the newborn photoshoot can really help parents to have an enjoyable photoshoot without any extra stress.
As you are aware, with babies things don’t generally go along as planned or scheduled, which is the reason we generally give the perfect condition and encourage newborn-led photoshoot sessions. In all honesty, your readiness to allow your newborn baby to “be” their own self, a brief smile, squints, and even an old fashioned design whine – ensures that the photographs will fascinate you and other family members for a lifetime.

Tips for Enjoying Newborn Photo Session

We should discuss what newborn baby led photography really implies. It means that when I style the baby for a particular pose and the baby is ready to go on a prop for let’s say, a bum up position, yet everything that the baby accomplishes that time is not even close to that pose but twisted up aside, then I don’t force them into the pose which I was attempting. Rather, I promptly shift gears and advance to that pose which baby gets into automatically that time, to capture an ideal photograph. It likewise implies that when newborn baby cries, and you have to feed the baby, that is completely fine – and no motivation to feel pushed or sorry. Your newborn baby’s essential requirements always come first.

As you now have an idea, hence we should now proceed with the tips I have discovered in the last 7 years of my journey as a Newborn baby photographer to ensure a smooth session and gorgeous photos.

Tip #3 – Ensure to answer the calls and read the messages from your photographer.

We need to speak with you well before time so that we can get some answers concerning:

• Photoshoot theme design and colour schemes
• Poses if you have any in mind
• Space (s) we’ll use if the shoot is at your place (ideally an 8-foot by 8-foot space is accessible so we can have a lot of room for our props and our lights)
• Ensuring your photoshoot is reserved at least 2-3 days after or before baby’s vaccination. 
• Other details that are ideal to plan for your Photoshoot 

It is ideal to have all the information and other important details to ensure an amazing experience for you. It will also enable us so that we can organise everything before hand and save precious time during the photoshoot.

Tip #4 – Moms to avoid Gassy Foods before session

It is a well known fact that whatever the mom eats will have an impact on her baby. Hence it is very important for the moms to avoid a few foods which can make babies gassy and uncomfortable at least 2 days before the photoshoot. Things like raw onions, garlic, cruciferous veggies, and lots of spicy food get through your breastmilk and can prompt an uncomfortable newborn baby. Hence, we suggest you avoid the following foods:

• Beans
• Veggies like (broccoli, cabbage, and so on.)
• Heavy garlic or onions
• Spicy nourishments
• Common food allergens, similar to soy, peanuts, and so on.

Keep your eating schedule moderate at least  2 days before the photoshoot.

Along with the above points, ensure to keep a bag handy with everything you use to soothe your baby, including a pacifier (if you utilize one), a breastfeeding-friendly shirt if you have, delicate blanket, burp clothes, newborn baby wipes and diapers.

Since each photographer is different, you must ask questions while you are exploring your choices and attempting to settle on which photographic artist to pick.

My point in this blog is to impart some significant bits of knowledge based on my 7 years of experience as a specialist in maternity and newborn photography.

Question #3 – Is the studio area sanitized between the two sessions?

Not only now when we have COVID-19 like epidemic going around but otherwise as well. With their pristine, delicate invulnerable frameworks, it is critical that sterilization measures are taken and all professionals working with baby are healthy and the studio is spotless.

Just to inform you, I evacuate my rings and consistently wash my hands before photoshoots, and also keep a bottle of hand sanitizer close by before contacting the baby. Even though it can be a botheration for the clients, I generally reschedule a photoshoot session in case I’m not well. Baby’s safety and wellbeing are paramount to me!

Question #4 – How do you create complex baby poses?

Experienced and proficient newborn photographers will have the option to give instances of how they pose the babies in the photograph in which the baby poses appear to oppose gravity.

They will be open to talking about poses with you and how they securely handle newborns and how they can make a particular pose that you are looking at.

Clue – many newborn baby images that you see around might have been created digitally or created carefully using composite photography techniques which involves joining of two or three photographs together. 

You should know:

• None of the photographers should force your newborn to any pose which makes them uncomfortable or put them in danger.
• No baby should ever be relied upon to support its head or body, be suspended, or put in a container or box which is not stable.
• The baby should be relaxed and comfortable consistently, and 100% safe.

Question #6 – What age of baby do you work with? Are you comfortable with premature babies?

It might seem to be a silly question to ask, however, baby photographers have their own inclinations with regards to explicit age groups of newborns to work with. Some lean toward babies to be under about fourteen days old so as to get the nestled or curled up poses, others will cheerfully have babies a lot more established than this, occasionally even as long as 5 weeks old, though a few shots may not be achievable. To be honest with you, not all photographers are open to working with premature babies since they are very delicate.

This would be a decent inquiry to pose regardless of not knowing whether this will be significant for your situation until after the birth. It’s a good question to know so that you are ready in case any need arises.

Question #8 – What kind of photoshoot you do: posed or lifestyle?

Every newborn photographer has his/her own style so it’s crucial that you research well and check out the portfolio ahead of time to ensure that the style is as per your requirements.

Natural or Lifestyle portraits are candid shoots where posing is at minimal and have the realistic side to them while catching a few snapshots of the newborn and new family in their own particular manner.

“Posed” photographs are regularly done in a studio, utilize a beanbag and props for posing the newborn. Commonly, the majority of the photographs will be of the newborn alone.

Personally, I love both the styles however, the majority of the parents do ask for posed photoshoots. Consider which you might want best and inquire as to whether they share your vision.

Question #9 – Price OR quality!

The first thing I would agree on here is that I realize everybody has a budget! However, I would recommend not to choose your newborn photographer depending on the lowest cost. Rather, you should ensure that you really like the work of the photographer and would be cheerful in showing similar photographs in your home.

There is an undeniable value in a better quality, luxury service that leaves parents feeling absolutely certain about the experience and photographs they are investing in. Let me tell you that it generally takes 30+ long hours of work before your photographs are prepared for you to appreciate them (the consultations, the photoshoot, proper editing, and so on.).

Also, after your wedding, this is the most significant occasion in your life and you’ll never have this time back again, so I recommend you to archive these moments appropriately the first time itself.

Well, other than that there are various packages offered by photographers. A few newborn photographers charge one set base expense with the alternative to update. Some have package options in which they sell only digital files, others will have only prints.

You need to ask yourself what makes a difference most to you, would you simply like to put photographs online? Or on the other hand, do you need a portrait in your home? Does your photographer offer exclusive albums or help you get high/professional-quality prints for your photographs? These are things to consider.

When our baby, Aveer, was born, I took extended paternity leave to ensure well-being of Amrit and Aveer. It all started in the Hospital, when few of the times I saw Amrit was depleted in energy and needed rest, I attempted to assist by assuring her to go off to bed. “Try not to stress,” I’d tell Amrit. “I’ll take care of him. Get some rest.”

Definitely, Aveer would begin whining. I’d be working ceaselessly to comfort him, and in a little while I would hear Amrit running down as though the things were ablaze. Despite the fact that she never really said these words, the direness of her development and her non-verbal communication stated, “What are you doing to Aveer?”

It was as though she simply needed to know, at that millisecond, precisely what was happening and what she could do about it. In the end we used to laugh remembering it, yet from the outset I considered it to be an obstruction. To be honest, I needed the opportunity to figure out how to comfort Aveer myself, and I required the space to work it out. I wasn’t going anywhere if I don’t have a chance alone.

What I didn’t understand was that Amrit’s conduct was substantially more about her as a new mom than it was about me or how I was handling Aveer. I didn’t comprehend the weight she felt to adapt to the new mommy role and to comfort Aveer in every way she could.

It may appear to be odd to start an article about fatherhood with an anecdote about spouses. But I honestly feel that is the place you need to begin on the grounds that, while a mother has a direct connection with her baby, a dad’s association is through the mother and, to start with, the dad and newborn baby relationship can’t absolutely reject that.

If you see, it wasn’t the issue of who was correct and who wasn’t. We were just taking our own time as new parents to adjust in our beautiful new world with the baby. Amrit was correct to react. Simultaneously, I was also correct to have some space to figure out how to comfort Aveer myself.

This dynamic truth plays out differently in every family, isn’t it? Though I feel that premise stays same.

It all started well before Aveer was born. I used to read number of books and articles on how to comfort the new baby as everything was new and I wanted to be prepared. Though everything I read did help me to understand about the baby and adjust as soon as Aveer was born, yet no one absolutely talked about spouses and I learnt it on the go. Secondly, the information was so exhaustive that it took a lot of time to read and understand, and it was not always to the point. So that’s what influenced me to pen it down today. A few important takeaways which will help you 90% of the times and helps both you and your wife to have a peace of mind.

Actually getting in there and doing it additionally assisted me to get more connected with him. Truth be told, I think the two are related: You become more connected with your child when you actually take care of him/her. And the entirety of this develops your bond with your infant.

I asked a dear friend once — this was before I had a baby — how he realized what the baby needed. “He lets you know,” my friend answered. I had no clue about what he implied. By what method can a child let you know? Later on, when I was in the same place, I started comprehending.

The infant lets you know not with words or with the gestures or with the looks that go between the two of you. It’s more than that. As you fraternize, you figure out how to understand the baby’s signs — his/her non-verbal communication or his/her cries or coos in different circumstances. Whatever you may think of your better half’s clear sense for this, it’s an acquired ability that requires time, patience and togetherness for men like us.

Based on my understanding and experience and if the above-mentioned point of view resonates with you, here are couple of fun ways for you to invest energy with your little one:

First thing, I found out was that there is a particular way to support a baby during giving a feed. You need to keep the baby in the same pose as the mother when feeding. Kindly understand when a mother is feeding her child she nestles him close and he/she can directly look in her eyes. Hence, when I used to give a feed through bottle, I ensured to hold him in the same position, ensuring Aveer can look in my eyes.

This is a tactful task and takes time to be perfected. I will suggest to make an honest attempt at soothing the baby when crying. You can sing to him/her, stroll around, rock slowly, or locate a pacifier to calm the baby. It will help your baby discover that apart from Mom, you can also give him/her what he/she needs.

It’s is again a difficult job and however deep your sleep is, do take this job. I honestly took this from Amrit and it gave me enough alone time with Aveer.

Secondly, it helped Amrit to get few hours of extra sleep which she required to give her 100% next whole day.

So be the “rescuer of the night” when the child cries. This will give you and child valuable alone time.

Master tip: Be certain to have a buffer stock of bottles in the fridge of pumped milk for late-night feedings.

Children love natural air, so take your little one for a walk around the garden.

I made it a routine affair to take Aveer out on a baby carrier. Yes, use baby carrier instead of a stroller. This will keep the baby near you all through the walk.

Simply be certain that you have applied sufficient sunscreen if it’s hot outside and covered the baby well if it’s cold.

Put aside time each day explicitly for play with your little baby. After couple of months of schedule, we could actually observe Aveer waiting for the play time. Make it part of the everyday schedule.

Remember that famous saying, “do in Rome as Romans do.” Well very true for babies too. Become a baby with the babies if you want to be liked. You can definitely be that funny guy.

Start by simply making senseless faces that will make your child sparkle with a smile.

As Aveer grew we also attempted fun games like surprise or peek-a-boo.

It will be lovely when you will see your baby reciprocating the gestures. Those moments will be worth everything.

Aveer loves music and dancing to the tunes. After all he is a Punjabi 😉. I used to try dancing with him once he was 3 months old. Well, I think all babies love music and to dance. So try it as soon as your baby is couple of months old. Turn on some music (or sing a melodious tune) and move around house. As your child gets older you can assist him/her while standing and dancing till he/she can show some of his/her own moves.

You might not like hearing it, yet diaper time is a good time to connect. Despite the fact that it might be smelly and yuck, you do get the opportunity to converse with him/her and make senseless noises as he/she gets a new change.

Be there when in need. When your child gets sick, ensure you are there to take care of him/her.

I used to take full day off. Even during vaccinations and regular check up days. It helps you to understand how your baby is doing and growing.

Luckily, I and Amrit have adhered to a routine from very early days. We gradually started feeling it was the best thing we did to him. It made our life easier along with his. Aveer gradually started understanding when is the Papa time and when Mumma’s, and who will do what with me.

A routine is essential to ensure your child sleeps through the night as well. I will suggest to be part of the whole. But to start with you can pick something like as usual as reading time to be engaged with your baby. This will assist your baby in understanding that when Dad says its reading time, it will be sleep time soon as well 😊.

Hope this post was informative and helpful for you in some way as I shared my fatherhood journey from my experience. Everyone’s experience is different and as Amrit always tell me, all parenting styles are good; there is no right or wrong way in parenting because as Parents we always do our best for our children.