Oct 178 min read

WHAT IF MY BABY POOS DURING THE NEWBORN SESSION? PLUS OTHER PARENT WORRIES

Since 2004, I have specialised in photographing maternity and newborn babies, capturing countless precious moments. As one of the most established photographers in the Bridgend area, I have honed my skills in handling and photographing newborns. Trust me, I've witnessed everything - from sweet little snoozers to tiny troublemakers!

Before booking a newborn photoshoot new parents seek out answers to their questions about professional newborn photography.

As an expectant parent, you may have questions regarding newborn photography, which can be addressed before booking a session. This article aims to provide answers to common queries to ease any concerns you may have about the process.

For additional questions, you can refer to the Frequently Asked Questions page for further details. For more insights, check out: Is newborn photography a valuable investment?

What we will cover

What happens if my baby does a poos or wee during the newborn session?
What happens if the baby needs feeding during the photoshoot?
What happens if my baby won’t sleep?
Does baby have to be naked in the newborn photos?
Do I need to bring a dummy/Pacifier?
Can I bring my toddler and/or family member?
What do I need to do during the photoshoot?

What happens if my baby does a poo or wee during the newborn session?

Ohh Poo!

During baby photoshoots, you might have noticed that we remove clothing and nappy to capture those beautiful naked poses.

And there’s no getting away from it, babies will Pee and Poo!!!

The burning question isn't "if" but "when" your little bundle of joy decides to do a surprise Poo during their photoshoot. Messy moments happen, and hey, new parents, don't hit the panic button! It's all just part of the baby adventure, nothing to lose sleep over!

I've experienced babies projecting poo across the rooms like a jet stream, narrowly avoiding us grown-ups. I've witnessed poo mishaps occurring in parents' hands. I've even been a victim of a colossal poo incident that went through a baby grow, my trousers, and everything, while cradling a baby. Yes! I often need to go for a quick clothes change mid session.

I take every precaution to avoid any pee and poo accidents during a newborn photoshoots. I keep the baby's diaper on until absolutely necessary and have absorbent towels nearby just in case. As a preventative measure a small towel is placed close to the baby's bottom and there is always plenty of back up wipes to handle any clean ups. If an accident does occur, there's no need to worry or apologise excessively. Rest assured, I am prepared to handle it swiftly and continue the shoot smoothly.

During a newborn session we position them in a way which can cause any trapped gas bubbles to ease, and they tend to have more bowel movements. Babies can become irritable due to tummy issues, but with years of experience of working with babies we know all the gentle movements like light belly massage that can help. Handling diaper changes and cleaning up messes is just part of my job, and I am fully equipped to manage it all, including washing everything used during the newborn session afterwards for hygiene purposes.

Despite the messy moments, the love and happiness that children bring into our lives far outweigh any unexpected poo encounters. So, let's embrace the chaotic side of parenting and create unforgettable memories that we can share and laugh about for years to come!

What happens if the baby needs feeding during the photoshoot?

Your baby will need feeding before, during, or after the session, and some babies like top ups throughout, and that is perfectly okay, everything will be baby led!

Before the session I advise you to feed baby as usual before the session. Plenty of feeding breaks are taken throughout the session, and I will also ask you to feed them to help them drift off to sleep, enabling me to capture those cherished sleeping baby photos you want.

During a newborn session, we anticipate it lasting up to four hours since settling the baby to sleep and arranging for photographs requires time. If your baby is fed and drowsy on arrival, especially if we catch them just after an awake window, we might be able to capture additional photos during the session.

I always recommend that parents have extra milk on hand during their baby’s newborn session. Babies tend to get hungrier faster during the session, or often want to nurse for comfort in between sets. Whether you are pumping, breastfeeding, or formula feeding, having extra of whatever method you are using is great to ensure the session runs smoothly and with less interruption.

Having your breast pump handy!
Extra bottles of Formula
Nursing directly

Having extra milk readily available can alleviate any concerns about hunger or fussiness, allowing everyone to focus on capturing those precious moments.

What happens if my baby won’t sleep?

Newborns typically spend most of their early weeks sleeping, so there's no need to worry!

Four hours have been set aside for newborn sessions to ensure there's enough time to capture those beautiful sleeping baby photos you desire, even if your little one is wide awake at first, there is no need to worry. And those wide-awake, alert images can be just as adorable and often parents’ favourite.

Babies can sense tension, so we’ve created a calming environment to keep them content. We have to remind ourselves babies cry to communicate their needs, to tell us when they are hungry, need to be winded, want a cuddle, and we have plenty of time for feeding and settling them without any rush. Our newborn sessions are baby-led, so they lead the way and I adapt accordingly, knowing they will eventually drift off to sleep.

Clients who come to me are in awe of watching me use the techniques I have mastered to help babies drift off to sleep. We use the softest of handmade wraps and maintain a cosy studio environment at the ideal temperature for babies, accompanied by soft background white noise to lull newborns into a deep sleep.

Herer are our top 5 methods we use to settle and soothe baby during a newborn session:

Cosy room temperature. Put simply, If the room feels too hot or a little chilly to you, then the chances are your baby will feel the same! The ideal room temperature for babies is between 16-22°C, and we use a room thermometer to monitor the temperature and reassure you that your studio is at the perfect temperature.
White noise, set at a safe and comfortable volume.
Eyebrow Rub! Tickling those tiny brows is like casting a spell to lull a baby into dreamland.
Soothing movement. Rocking or swaying will help calm the baby down.
Swaddle. Wrapping a baby has a calming effect on an unsettled baby, it’s creates comfort and reassurance to familiar world of being in the womb, and more often than not falls straight to sleep.

Does baby have to be naked in the newborn photos?

If you prefer not to have the baby naked, we can pop a diaper cover on the baby. These specially designed snug diaper covers come in a flesh tone to help disguise the bulk of the diaper under outfits and wraps. Not only do they provide a cute and practical solution, but they also give extra peace of mind by preventing any accidents. Your little one will look adorable and feel comfortable throughout the session. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy watching your precious bundle of joy being photographed in style!

Do I need to bring a dummy/Pacifier?

Using a dummy during a newborn photoshoots are great for calming babies and maintaining a peaceful atmosphere, making the session more manageable. While I respect parents may have varying views on pacifiers, I would always recommend having one handy as a precaution. I have a supply of new dummies at hand during sessions incase parents have forgotten to bring one or if we need a clean one. Above all, ensuring the baby's comfort and joy is paramount during our time together, and a pacifier can be instrumental in achieving that goal.

Some believe that the pacifier brings comfort to babies, offering a sense of calm in moments of distress. Whilst others argue that it may hinder natural self-soothing abilities and lead to dependency issues later on. Despite the ongoing debate, one thing is certain - the pacifier continues to be a topic of discussion and a staple in many households around the world.

I can guarantee that I only use a pacifier momentarily to soothe a fussy baby. Its temporary use during a photoshoot will not create a dependency on it. The dummy is exclusively used to calm the baby into position, then promptly removed.

There is growing evidence indicating that nipple confusion is primarily associated with bottle feeding versus breastfeeding, rather than the use of pacifiers.

Can I bring my toddler, partner, grandparents and/or another family member?

Absolutely! It's a big, bold YES!

Picture this: The photographer's studio is transformed to capture the essence of these fleeting early newborn days. Every yawn, stretch, and squishy newborn expression becomes a timeless memory frozen in time. As the camera clicks away, the room is filled with laughter, coos, and the occasional cry that only adds to the authenticity of the experience. You wouldn’t want to miss out on this?

Newborn sessions are best scheduled during the early week, and I always encourage parents to take this opportunity to capture treasured family portraits together with the new baby. Even if you're not feeling your best, and let's face it who does post-birth, this is your opportunity to enjoy the experience and let me capture the beautiful loving bond you have as new parents. I am yet to meet a family who has regretted having family photos with their newborn, so there is no need to worry!

You are more than welcome to bring along any other children you have! I completely understand the importance of capturing your newborn with their older sibling(s). You can bring quiet toys, books, or any items to keep them entertained during the photoshoot or you could make the most of what we have on our doorstep locally to enjoy for a couple of hours with the older sibling(s) whilst we finish off with the newborn photos. Here is a handy list of things to do in the vicinity within Bridgend county: click here.

Additionally, you can bring a grandparent, a close friend, or another family member for support. My studio has a designated area for parents and family members to relax during the session.

Please limit the number of guests and notify me in advance of who will be attending. This will help me prepare to make things comfortable for everyone on the day of the photoshoot.