Beautiful Ways to Bond With Your Newborn Through portraits
Imagine looking back 5, 10, or 18 years from now- your kids are grown up and changing every day. Maybe they have moved out and are starting their lives. You open your photo album and are brought right back to the first time you really bonded with your baby. They look you in the eyes during a feeding and in that moment you just knew you were meant to be their mom. Even all these years later, you're able to be brought right to that intimate moment and all those sweet memories just flood back in. That’s the beauty of documenting the bond with your newborn.
Let’s make those moments that you never want to end, actually last forever.
As a mother myself, I understand so deeply, the connection that happens between a mother and her newborn. You spend 9 months having your baby in the safe confines of your womb and closer to you than ever. Then, in the blink of an eye, your newborn makes their way into the world and suddenly they're not so close to you anymore. That’s where bonding with your newborn is crucial and so beautiful. That’s not an easy thing to do! I remember that being one of the emotional parts of the fourth trimester.
What are the benefits of bonding with your baby?
Bonding with your baby is an essential part of both your life and the baby’s. A strong bond helps to set the foundation for your child to create healthy relationships in their life as they grow. As their parents, we’re their first love, first friend, and the person they can trust. How special this bond is- that it truly paints the first picture of the world for our children. Through our nurturing, they learn about themselves and how to express emotions. These are life skills that stay with them forever.
Why bonding is important for the mother
Bonding with your newborn baby isn’t just for the baby. As a mother, these moments after birth are some of the most emotional times. When mothers nurture their babies, they are forming an attachment both physically and emotionally. Oxytocin, that “feel-good” hormone is actually released during things like feeding, skin-to-skin, etc. That means we are actually chemically bonding with our littles. I think this is one of the sweetest things as a mother. Of course, there are a lot of hardships that we endure throughout motherhood. But, being able to bond so closely with this life that we created is just so special.
“There are no words that can describe the euphoria you feel when your baby recognizes you for the first time and smiles.”
The Importance Of Documenting The Bond With Newborn Baby
These moments, while so unique and so beautiful, are unfortunately fleeting. Though we wish they would last forever, our kids grow up and moments pass. But having those photos to open up and look back on feels like all the butterflies coming back. I am so grateful that I took the time to document all those moments with my littles in the first few months of their lives (and really I never stopped lol). It was my first few months as a mother. It was my son’s first time as a brother. It was little moments where my family grew and bonded together. And now, I get to step right back into those sweet memories anytime I miss it- which, let’s face it, is all the time!
The Beauty Of Breastfeeding
Bonding with a newborn baby can be done in so many ways. If you can, breastfeeding is an amazing way to create a bond and really connect with them. Breastfeeding is something that only you, can do with your child. It is an intimate experience that allows your child to be nourished and helps you bond at the same time.
Here are some other beauties that come with breastfeeding your baby.
How does Breastfeeding keep your baby healthy?
Breastfeeding your babe helps to create antibodies specific to them. It helps to keep them healthy and keep illnesses away. Our bodies are so incredible in the way that they connect and program to the baby. We can read what the baby needs and create it for them. We are in-synced with them more and more throughout this process. This must be where the quote, “mother knows best” comes from. Of course, I felt at times that I didn't know what to do as a mother. But as time goes on, I grow a sort of confidence when it comes to my kids. Call it intuition. You just know your kids better than anyone else can.
How does breastfeeding help you bond with your newborn?
Aside from the psychological bonding that comes with breastfeeding, it also provides other mediums of connection that are just as important. While breastfeeding, you are most likely going to be having skin-to-skin contact. You might be holding their hands or rubbing their back. All these different types of affection that you share with them help to promote lots of bonding! As a result, you help to improve social and behavioral development as the baby grows. It can be so crazy to think that just a small gesture here and there like holding your little one has so many long-lasting benefits. That goes to show the power that bonding with newborn babies has. It's so essential to their well-being.
Can I Breastfeed During a Photoshoot?
I love to take photos of my clients while they're breastfeeding. It can be such a moving moment for the mother and child. I always ask my clients if this is something they are comfortable with before the shoot so we can prepare for it beforehand. This also allows for time for you to ask questions and feel confident before the photoshoot. I completely understand that this can be a very vulnerable thing to do during the session. My first priority is always your comfortability. I want you to feel empowered and assured in yourself. We’re capturing your inner mother goddess!
There are many different ways we can document this moment. Some mothers like to be fully unclothed and very natural. While others may feel more comfortable with a blanket covering the baby like this one. Whichever way helps you stand in your power and feel your best is going to show through in photos as your genuine self. I love getting to see my clients find their confidence during these sessions.
Different Ways To Bond With Your Newborn
There are many different ways to bond with your baby. Some mothers aren't able to or choose not to breastfeed and that's okay! It doesn’t make you any less of a mother to go this route. Every mom deserves to stand in their power no matter which ways they choose to nurture their babies. And breastfeeding is not the only way! Here are some other ways to bond with your newborn baby.
Skin-to-Skin
Skin-to-skin time has so many benefits for parents and the baby. Physically, it releases oxytocin just like breastfeeding, which means that there are chemical hormones in your body that help to connect you with your baby. It calms your body which in turn calms the baby. Skin-to-skin right after birth can help the uterus contract and slow bleeding. It also helps the baby regulate their own breathing and adapt to life outside the womb. One of the other great things is this is something both parents can be a part of. Your baby relies on you so deeply for survival but also for trust. It's truly amazing to have such a connection with them.
Baby-wearing
Wearing your baby over time is actually so beneficial for bonding as well! It helps promote healthy attachment because you and your baby become more attuned to each other over time. It can also benefit language development. We all know tummy time is needed for the baby to gain muscle in the neck and back. At least in my experience, it's not usually their favorite activity! The good news is, baby-wearing has the same benefits! In the same way as skin-to-skin contact, babywearing is also great for helping to regulate the little one’s breathing, temperature, and heart rate. Overall, this is such a great way to bond with your newborn.
Heres an example of a cute sling to wear for photos!
Talking and Singing
While talking and singing are essential for the brain development and growth of your baby, they can also be a great tool for bonding. By getting to know your unique voice and facial expressions, they are learning about the world around them. You are teaching them how to express themselves and becoming more in tune with each other. This supportive emotional development creates a safe place and trust for your baby. This is how they feel loved and comfortable with you.
How I Document The Bond Between You and Your Newborn
Each bond is different and just as deep as the next. This is a time in both of your lives that you’ll never want to forget. That is why I love what I do. I love that I'm able to be a part of the process of your growing family developing this intense love for each other. There are so many ways to document this during our session. The way I pose my clients is by not posing them. I want to document the raw moments of this new chapter. I want to show you a single moment in your day that is natural and true. You are a powerful goddess and we are showing that through these magnificent photos.
I might direct you in some ways like “let me see your favorite cuddle position”. This way, you can be yourself, feel comfortable and you aren't doing anything you don't already do. I don't want to create a fake moment that doesn't show what your bond is really like. I want to show it for the real beauty that it actually holds.
For more information on how to prepare for your newborn session, click here
Nurturing Your Newborn Deserves To Be Documented
This is such a special time- when you welcome a brand new life into your family. There are moments that we wish we could trap ourselves in and never leave. We always want to go back to the first time they smile. We want to capture that moment when they look you in the eyes for the first time and you know you were meant to be their mom. Here lies the importance of photos. So, you can go back and relive. Book your next photo session now and thank yourself later.
