Dolled Up ~See Shel's Photography - Saskatoon Newborn Photographer~

Dolled Up ~See Shel's Photography - Saskatoon Newborn Photographer~, originally uploaded by See Shel's Photography.

Woo hoo - I was right! It was a girl! And what a sweet little girl! Sugar and spice for sure! She was a sweet little angel - a perfect model of why we try to do newborn photos in the first couple weeks of life - there is such a HUGE difference between a 7 day old - 3 week old and 5 week old.

I know generally we all think that newborns don't do a lot except eat sleep and - you know - but after doing this for quite awhile I will atest to the fact that newborn tendencies differ greatly with each day that goes by.

In the first 6-10 days babies are usually quite easily calmed and shushed to sleep into most any (safe) position we'd like - usually the only thing that will really wake them is if mom gets too close - then they always think it's lunchtime.

The next major mark is the 2-3 week age - the closer to 3 weeks the more awake and alert they are - and already they are a lot less "squishy" - such as this pose I've posted today. After 2 weeks newborns are less likely to want to keep in the fetal position - quite often we end up with legs sprawled and baby kicking trying to move. They're also less likely to contently fold up into a basket or in daddy's hands.

After 3 weeks baby is almost always awake - and generally really dislikes being placed down when they know mom & dad are there (especially mom) - quite often they just want to be held and it takes a lot more coaxing to convince them they're ok and to get them to look comfy in whatever we might be doing.

After 4 weeks I don't even really suggest trying newborn photos - I would wait until 4 months+ there's a really weird thing that goes on at 2 & 3 months where a new situation like a photo session will really bring out the clingy in a baby - and the majority of the session will probably occur in mom or dad's lap/arms. Around 4 months though they become very social - smiling at anything and everyone and happy to look at puppets, bells, etc.

So the moral of my long story? Squishy is better and easier on us all. ;) Over 4 weeks I would really suggest going for an outdoor family session, everyone will enjoy it and there is nothing sweeter than a family photo of mom, dad and their new child interacting and enjoying life together.

I hope you had a great week-end - I celebrated my daughter's 4th birthday with a house full of family and friends, we are now swimming in My Little Ponies and Barbies - it's a four year old girls dream around here!