Newborn safety - what you need to know

LET'S CHAT

Did you know.....the only two fears a newborn baby is born with is the fear of loud noises and the fear of falling! Babies have a very immature nervous system when they are born and as a result these are the only two fears they have to start with. Over the next two years their senses develop very rapidly.


Knowing and understanding everything about newborn babies, from how they develop to the signs that they are comfortable, or not, are vital for a newborn photographer.


Unfortunately, newborn photography in the UK is unregulated which means any amateur photographer can pick up a camera and start advertising as a newborn photographer. This is part of the reason why I am passionate about highlighting the importance of newborn safety in a newborn photography session and making sure every Mum and Dad knows what to look for in their newborn photographer.

Ensuring baby is happy and safe at all times

The most important thing during any newborn session is that baby is happy and safe at all times. It sounds like the most obvious statement but it takes years of training and experience to ensure this happens.


From the little things, like keeping the studio at a constant, warm temperature, as newborn babies are unable to regulate their own temperature, to ensuring that babies, when wrapped, have an adequate blood supply to tiny fingers and toes; all these things must be assessed throughout the session.


There are also a number of poses that, whilst the final portrait looks like baby is in that position alone, take a number of different shots to achieve to make sure that baby is supported at all times. This is also why I don't undertake some poses. Baby must be comfortable at all times, and with certain poses I don't feel this is the case and so I always use poses where you can see baby relax into it.


This also applies when posing newborn babies with siblings and pets. The end portrait may look like they were taken together but, in most cases, this is not in fact true.

Baby cues

Every baby is different and having worked with so many, it always amazes me that their character is already developing from just a few days old. Much of it does depend on how baby was carrying in Mum's tummy. An obvious one is breach babies....they are always happiest with their little feet up near their chest as that was the way they were lying in the womb. But there are also simple things like which side baby is more comfortable, whether they prefer being on their front or their back, or even whether they prefer their hands near their face or by their side. These are all things that are simple to pick up. So to make sure baby is comfortable I always take time to find these things out.


Then there is understanding baby cues. Again, every baby is different but having photographed so many newborn babies, you know the different signs. Whether they are starting to try and suckle so they are getting hungry or whether they are bringing their legs up due to wind, or even they are crying because they are tired and just need a few minutes of gentle cuddles and rocking to help them drop off to sleep, understanding these is vital to making sure baby is settled, happy and safe at all times.


Newborn Certification

I am very proud to say I have been awarded my Newborn Safety Accreditation with Distinction, for the 6th year by the Master Photographer's Association. 


This qualification examines all areas of newborn health and safety throughout every aspect of a newborn studio session and also in the studio in general. 


The questioning is rigorous and it makes sure every area of safety is considered and regularly updated. It is something I am very passionate about and I am very proud to have achieved Distinction once again.

Newborn baby first aid

This is something else I am passionate about. We all hope that we will never need to use any first aid training with our babies but it is still important to have that knowledge base there should we ever need it.


This is exactly the same with newborn photography. I hope I will never have to use it but I have the knowledge there should it ever be required. Having done an 'in person' first aid course with my own boys, I still do regular refresher courses to keep my knowledge up-to-date. My latest course was online due to no in-person courses being run at the time but I still wanted to keep my knowledge up-to-date.


You can read our full Health and Safety Policy for the studio here.

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