Welcoming the birth of a baby is something that makes prospective parents very happy. New parents prepare many things when their long-awaited baby is finally born into the world.
One thing that many parents prepare for is documenting the birth phase. Documentation will indeed be important and can become a beautiful memory when the child sees it again when he is older.
Recently, documentation for newborn babies has become a trend among parents. Many photography services offer newborn photo services with various unique and adorable concepts.
Even though it is widely liked and is becoming a trend, many parents are worried about the safety of newborn photos because their little ones have to do various poses which at first glance are considered dangerous maneuvers for the baby.
So is this newborn photo trend actually safe for babies? What things should parents who want to do a newborn photo session know and prepare for their child? Come on, look at the following explanation!
What is a Newborn Photo?
For those of you who are preparing to become parents-to-be or have just become parents, you are certainly familiar with the term newborn photos or newborn photography.
Newborn photos is a term used by photographers for the results of photographing newborn babies. Generally, photo shoots for newborn babies are carried out when the new baby is under one month old. This is of course not without reason.
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When new born, babies still have flexible bodies so they can be directed to do various adorable styles when taking newborn photos.
Apart from that, babies under one month of age still spend a lot of time asleep. When your little one is asleep, the photographer will usually do a photo shoot.
Currently, newborn photos are becoming a trend and are liked by many parents. This is because this photo concept offers a unique concept. Babies will be directed to do various styles and be dressed in unique costumes, such as professional costumes or other adult costumes.
When carrying out a newborn photo session, the photographer and the crew involved will direct the baby to appear as if he is posing like an adult, such as sitting, supporting his chin, or other unique poses.
These poses are often a concern for parents. Many people think that such poses in newborn photos are not safe for newborn babies to do.
Quoting from the sangbuahhati.com site, a pediatrician from Yogyakarta, Doctor Ade Indrisari, Sp.A, M.Kes also expressed his opinion regarding newborn photos which are currently a trend.
According to Doctor Ade, newborn photos for babies are still safe to do as long as you pay attention to the baby's health condition.
If the baby has been in a healthy condition since birth without any abnormalities, then carrying out the photo session will not be a problem, as long as it is carried out by professional staff and a photographer who has experience photographing babies.
Doctor Ade Indrisari also recommends that newborn photo sessions should ideally be carried out when the baby is around 5-14 days old so that the body is still flexible to carry out poses such as lying on its back, sitting or tilting in various directions.
When a baby is over one month old, they usually become more active in moving around. They also start to understand the concept of strangers and will cry easily, so they will need more time to adapt," said Doctor Ade.
Apart from the poses which are quite often worrying, many parents also think that flash shots during newborn photo sessions can harm the baby's eyes and can cause blindness.
However, regarding this, Doctor Ade said that it was just a myth. According to him, flash light is a diffused light so it does not harm the baby's eyes.
Tips to be safe when taking newborn photos
Even though experts have stated that newborn photos are safe for babies, you as a parent still have to make several preparations so that the photo session can be safe and exciting.
Here are some tips that parents who want to do a newborn photo session need to prepare for their little ones
1.Schedule a Photo Session at the Right Time
As recommended by experts, newborn photos should be taken when the baby is under one month old, to be precise when the little one is 5-14 days old.
So, it is important for parents to schedule the photo session well in advance so that the photo results can be optimal and safe for the baby.
There's nothing wrong if you start scheduling newborn photo sessions well in advance, even before your baby is born. You can schedule it by calculating the baby's expected birth date (HPL) determined by the midwife or doctor.
Apart from ensuring that the photo session can run safely and comfortably for the baby, scheduling the photo shoot at the right time well in advance is also useful for arranging a schedule with the photographer.
Usually, photographers who provide newborn photo services have a full schedule for taking photos for the next few months. So, you can start scheduling newborn photo sessions for your baby when your pregnancy enters the second or third trimester.
2. Determine the location for the shooting session
Various photography services for babies usually provide two options for conducting newborn photo sessions, namely in their photo studio or at their respective homes. When they want to have a photo session, it is important for parents to consider the location of the photo shoot.
If you choose to have a newborn photo session at a photo studio, make sure you are ready to take your newborn baby for the journey from home to the studio. It is best to choose a photo studio that is not too far from home and use safe transportation such as a private car.
Don't forget to bring various baby equipment and necessities during the photo shoot so that the baby remains comfortable, such as diapers, baby clothes, milk, blankets and other necessary equipment.
However, if you choose to do a photo shoot at home, you also have to prepare a place in the house that has sufficient lighting and is comfortable and quiet for the baby. Apart from ensuring your baby remains safe, this will also make the photos more optimal.
3. Adjust to the baby's sleep hours
Newborn photo sessions are generally carried out when the baby is asleep. The reason is that when the baby is asleep, it will be easier for the baby to be directed to pose and the photo session can run more calmly. The baby's expression while sleeping will be even more adorable in the photo.
Therefore, parents must adjust the newborn photo session to be carried out with the baby's sleeping hours. Make sure to do the photo shoot while the baby is asleep.
It's a good idea to keep your baby awake for an hour or two before the shoot begins. In this way, it is hoped that the baby will be sound asleep when the photo shoot starts.
4. Make sure the baby is full enough
Still related to the previous tip, one way to ensure that your baby can sleep soundly during the newborn photo session is to make sure he is full enough.
Generally, a photo shoot session will last quite a long time, namely around one to two hours. If the baby is not yet full enough when the photo shoot begins, it is feared that he will wake up and cry in the middle of the photo shoot, which will hamper the photo session.
So, make sure you have fed your baby until he is full before the photo session begins. Apart from breastfeeding, don't forget to burp him so he can sleep more soundly.
If your baby consumes formula milk, make sure to prepare extra milk and bottles, especially if the photo shoot is taking place in a photo studio.
5. Take off your baby's clothes before sleeping and wear a comfortable costume
The concept used by most photographers for newborn photos is to make the baby naked and only wearing a diaper. Or there is also a photo concept where babies are wearing various unique costumes.
Therefore, you must wear the costume or remove the baby's clothes before the baby falls asleep. If the baby is asleep, it will be quite difficult to remove or change the costume because this will disturb the baby's sleep which is feared will hinder the photo session.
If you choose the concept of using diapers only, make sure you use loose diapers to avoid rubber diaper marks on the baby's waist later.
If you are worried that your baby will be cold because he has to be naked, you can cover him or put him in a swaddle before the photo shoot begins. However, if you choose a concept using costumes, make sure the costumes are safe and comfortable for the baby.
Avoid using costumes with materials that are too hot, costumes that are too tight, or costumes that are at risk of irritating the baby's skin.
Be calm and leave it to the professionals
When you see your baby doing various poses in their newborn photo session, it is natural that parents will feel a little worried about their little one's safety.
However, you should remain calm and relaxed so that the shooting session can run smoothly. Leave the newborn photo session process to the experts and professionals you entrust.
You just need to prepare the baby's equipment and be on guard if he suddenly wakes up because he is hungry or wet the bed. Otherwise, let the photographers carry out the photo session according to procedures that are guaranteed to be safe for your little one.
That is an explanation of newborn photos which are currently becoming a trend to document your little one's excitement when they are just born.
In essence, you don't need to worry if you want to do a newborn photo session to document the birth of your baby. However, make sure you use the services of a trusted professional to carry out the newborn photo session.
Also make sure you have prepared everything necessary so that the newborn photos can run smoothly, safely and comfortably for the baby so that you will get the best photo results later.
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