Bringing a new baby home is a huge change for everyone!

Your toddler can feel especially disrupted with a new baby at home getting all the attention. I have had lots of first hand experience with this in my own home, welcoming my youngest in 2021.

My goal at your session is that everyone have a good time and that this session is hopefully a bonding experience. So I do a few things to help facilitate good vibes and connection.

3 ways I work with your toddler at your Newborn Session at home.

1. I greet your toddler first thing

   Before I do a house tour to check for lighting I want to take a moment and get to know them and connect and try to let them know that I am here for them too, not just their new sibling. If they want to show me their room or favorite stuffy we take a moment to let them have the spotlight. Which they often enjoy!

2. Get photos with them in first

Toddlers can lose their attention span quickly so getting all the photos with them in first thing is a strategy I like to use. This way if they decide they are done and we by chance we can’t get them to come back and join us then we already got what we needed at the beginning.

3. Give them a job and let them be

I like to get toddlers involved with the session by helping me tickle babies feet or help hold babies head. These kind of prompts act as a task that they might like to do. Sometimes giving them tasks can make them feel helpful, which sometimes makes them feel good! However if they need a break or are having a hard time and want to sit on the opposite side of the room we let them do that and don’t try to negotiate their return. In my experience 9/10 times then see how much fun we are having and want to join in again without coercion.

What did you think of these techniques? Did this help put you at ease?

Looking for more information on preparing for our newborn session? See these other helpful blogs.