As you prepare for your newborn session with a toddler big sibling, are you more worried about the toddler than the newborn? Rightly so!
A 1st child newborn session feels a bit like a dream world, if I’m being honest. It may seem stressful as a first-time parent, but I promise newborn sessions only get more interesting with more babies.
With a 2nd, 3rd, 4th (or more!) baby, big sister/brother has recently gone through a lot of changes in their little life. That’s exactly why we’re going to make sure this time is all about you guys having fun and connecting as a family.
I personally adore newborn sessions with big siblings. As a mom of 4, I thrive on the chaos & unpredictability of tiny kids.
Below are a 5 tips for you as you prepare for your newborn session with a toddler included this time!
1. Start in your choice of outfit, but let them choose a favorite next.
Toddlers can be unpredictable, no? If you ever deal with battles around what they want to wear, get ahead of it with a plan for photos!
Ideally you and I have worked together to coordinate outfits that will look great in photos and on your walls for decades. I’m not a client closet girl – I’m all about photos that truly represent your family in this season.
I always suggest starting with the outfits that you choose for family photos, and then reward big sister/brother with a costume change for later shots. If our newborn session with a toddler becomes a superhero or princess fashion show, it will be iconic, as Jessie clearly demonstrates below.
2. Eat before our session & have mess-free snacks on hand.
Preparing for a newborn session with a toddler means making sure all littles (not just baby!) have eaten before I arrive, as we all know there is nothing worse than a hangry toddler! We’ll likely have to feed both baby and toddler again during our session – being a model is exhausting!
To make it easy, have a favorite, mess-free snack on hand. We can let them take a break with one parent while the other gets solo shots with baby, and then switch! Often the toddler is excited to rejoin the photos once they’ve eaten.
I also can’t count the number of times I have hidden a yogurt melt or cheerio under a baby’s head or blanket to get that adoring sibling shot.
3. Gather some of your toddler’s favorite books to read together during our session.
Think about your child’s favorite books. Truly anything that really captures this season or their little personalities at this time. Maybe they were given a big brother / big sister book when baby was in your belly? Or there is a book they can recite themselves because you’ve read it 10 million times on repeat? Or one with a really sweet message or with their favorite character (hey, Bluey). If you have books you find really beautiful for photographs, that’s great too!
Especially during newborn sessions with a toddler, I love to capture big sis/bro reading to their baby, or you all reading as a family. It’s also a great way to get a toddler to sit still – even if just for a few seconds!
4. Lean into & plan around your toddler’s current favorite activities.
This is probably the first child in me talking, but let’s be honest – during a newborn session with a toddler, your toddler is actually the star of the show.
What is their favorite thing to do right now? If they love to dress up, have a couple of favorite costumes on hand for later photos. If they love playing outside, let’s do it! Bubbles and sidewalk chalk? Always super fun and beautiful.
I’ll ask beforehand, but sometimes during a newborn session with a toddler, I’ll ask if it’s okay for them to jump on the bed or get thrown in the air – anything to bring joy and fun and laughter instead of stress!
5. Get allll the family snuggles – and keep smiling!
A newborn session with a toddler is incredibly full of snuggles, giggles, playfulness & joy! Remember to interact with your family the way you normally would when you are playing and snuggling. Truly pretend that I am not here!
I promise if you can have natural cuddly, sweet interactions with your family, I will capture the most beautiful images in the least stressful way.
Snuggle up and keep that smile on your face, even when you’re not sure what your toddler is up to! Remind your partner to keep smiling too – especially if said partner is a husband π Newborn sessions with a toddler can be crazy, but as long as the grown ups are smiling, I can make magic happen!
A newborn session with a toddler may seem stressful, but they truly are the MOST fun! I’d love for this to be a time for you to soak up and enjoy this new season for your family while I document your joy and love for each other.
If you enjoyed this post on prepping for your newborn session with a toddler we think you will love:
5 Tips to Prepare For Your Newborn Session
Why You Should Do a 6-Month Milestone Session
Why you should take maternity photos β especially if itβs not your first baby!
Looking for a Raleigh newborn photographer? Click the button below to learn more about our newborn photography experience. See our latest work on Instagram!
Caroline Merrill is a Raleigh Newborn Photographer that offers lifestyle at home and on location maternity, newborn and family photography. She serves families in Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, Durham, Raleigh, and on the NC coast.
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let's work together!
Can your family cuddle and laugh and have fun doing some of your favorite things together? (Don't worry, this isn't a trick question - tears and occasional meltdowns are expected but not mandatory if toddlers are involved...) If you all can enjoy each other, I'll do the rest. As my kids always say, teamwork makes the dream work. I'm so grateful to be on your team.
dream work
teamwork makes the
