This week I get to join in on the Baby Waiting Game with my new clients Michael and Heather. Little Baby's due date has come and gone, so literally, any moment now a new little soul will grace us all with it's presence, fill little lungs with air, and scream a glorious cry announcing it's arrival. It's an amazing time of anticipation and I love, LOVE that I get to play too!
There is so much to do before a new baby arrives, and we each take that list of tasks to our own level of nesting insanity. Since I was forced into bedrest during my last trimester, most of my nesting manifested into information gathering. I remember before Bodhi was born, watching every single episode of baby related Discovery Channel goodness, pouring over new mommy forums and websites, reading a bazillion Pampers and Parenting newsletters and magazines and books upon books upon books.
So, why all this talk of waiting for baby and nesting and things to do? Well, one of the most popular questions I get asked from new moms and dads is when to schedule their newborn photo session, and so this is all a good lead-in to that answer. I hate to give you one more thing to do before baby arrives, but put it on your nesting list.
The classic newborn photo of Baby all curled up and sleeping is best captured within the first two weeks of life. And the sooner of those two weeks, the better. Finding your photographer and scheduling a tentative session date is best accomplished while you're still pregnant. I know from experience with my son, that the first two weeks can be a blur. Getting the appointment set and your photographer on standby helps to ensure you will be able to get those classic images.
Baby N : 2 weeks old
Once your baby reaches 2-3 weeks old, she will stretch her limbs and begin to uncurl out of her newborn shape. At about 3 weeks old, most babies have a bit of a growth spurt and begin to increase their feedings. Around this time, some babies will develop "baby acne" as well. Finally, around 4 weeks old, the newborn curl is almost completely replaced by longer, stretching limbs and that sleepy baby is an alert little munchkin becoming aware of her surroundings.
Baby C : 4 weeks old
The time of a few weeks makes a world of difference in the types of images that will be captured of your newborn, however the first two weeks are sometimes out of the question for some babies. But, let me promise you that any images taken during the first few months will be precious to you, so don't hesitate to schedule a session at any time. Time definitely flies after baby arrives!! Before you know it, they're 5 years old and off to kindergarten in the fall. EEk!
And now... back to baby waiting!