Preparing For An In-Home Breastfeeding Session

Inspired by World Breastfeeding Week – mini breastfeeding photo sessions are now available! But how exactly do you have a great nursing session?

PLANNING FOR YOUR IN-HOME NURSING PHOTO SESSION

We'll talk before your session (Facetime, Google Hangout) and figure out a spot that would have nice light and would be comfortable for you and your little one(s).Maybe it's a special chair in your living room, or on your bed surrounded by pillows.Maybe it's a blanket fort? (A girl can dream, right?)Whatever we plan may or may not work out because every day is different, but I like having an initial game plan for the short time we have together.

WHEN IS IT BEST TO SCHEDULE THE SESSION?

It is good to follow your regular routine, so book your session at a time when your kiddo usually nurses. It is best if your baby isn't super hungry so they don't get grumpy right before – but they shouldn't have just been fed full either.The day of or after vaccines might be a rough time for your little one, so that's something to consider when booking your session.Because little ones don't always follow a schedule, I will have some wiggle room in mine and am prepared to wait for a while (maybe with a good book).

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?

Anything that makes you comfortable – keeping the colors neutral is a good idea! Very bold colors may reflect color onto your kiddo's face, which is tricky especially if you want color images. Solid black/really dark clothes won't look very flattering because I use a lot of contrast in post-processing the images.I recommend having your hair in a "do" that keeps the hair off of your face when you're looking down at your kiddo.

ANYTHING ELSE TO PREPARE?

Open up blinds and curtains in the room(s) you'd like to be in. Whatever prep you do besides that is up to you – do you want your images to show your time and space as-is, or do you prefer clutter-free?

WHAT IF MY BABY IS UPSET?

If your kiddo is having a fit, that's ok! They'll calm down easier when mom stays calm, and there's no need to rush for me.

WHAT IF THEY ONLY NURSE FOR 10 MINUTES?

We can document the blissful post-nursing milk-drunk phase.

WHAT ABOUT OLDER SIBLINGS?

Let older siblings just be. Showing that you value pictures of your kiddos being themselves will tell them how much they are cherished just as they are. Here’s a previous blog post about how to talk to your kids about an upcoming family photo session. Bribery usually just makes the kiddos anxious about waiting for their reward.The main thing is to get pictures of you bonding with your kiddo while you are nursing – if older siblings aren't naturally gravitating into the pictures, that's ok.

WHY ARE NURSING SESSIONS IMPORTANT?

Some want to capture this chapter of time before it is over. Others want to document the bond between them and their baby. Some want to get in front of the camera to battle the insecurities they may have after giving birth.

"Ever since I had my first daughter I've wanted to capture a picture (that wasn't a selfie) of me nursing, so that when I'm older, I can look back on the photos and remember this moment in time and remember the quiet cuddles and satisfied smiles. Time passes so quickly that in a blink of an eye my kids will be grown and nursing will have been in our distant past." - Rita, mom of two

Take a look at one of my favorite nursing sessions over here.