5 things you must do before your baby's at-home newborn session

Before we begin, there's one thing you have to do for me: Stop thinking that your baby's newborn session is all about your baby. It's not. It's about documenting the bond between you and the one you've waited so long to meet. You're as much a part of the picture as your baby, which means you deserve to be taken care of and pampered.

Treat yourself to a new outfit.

You deserve this. You deserve to feel beautiful right after you've brought life into this world. But here's the catch — you have to buy this outfit while you're still pregnant. Trust me, there will be no time or energy for shopping once your little one is here.

​Most likely, you'll still look a few months pregnant during your baby's newborn session, so purchase bump-friendly styles. You'll be so happy to have a pretty new outfit to pull out after so many days of little showering, no sleep, and no makeup. I love the maternity collections from Fillyboo, PinkBlush, and Show Me Your Mumu. 

Indulge in getting ready.

As soon as baby's asleep, hand him over to Dad and book it to the bathroom for a long, hot shower and hair and makeup. Play your favorite songs while you enjoy this little escape. 

Eat a meal and have water nearby.

It's so easy to graze or skip meals completely when you're a new mom (someone has to stare lovingly at the baby, right?!). But it's also easy to feel really tired or lightheaded, so be sure to eat a good meal before your session. Have your water jug handy, too; in those first few days after giving birth, it's not uncommon to feel very flushed or become extremely thirsty while you nurse. 

Dress baby last.

Every mom knows the sound: the gurgling build-up of a diaper blowout. It happens when you least expect it, but usually at the worst times. I recommend dressing and changing your baby just before you're ready to feed him (which should be the very last thing you do, in the hopes eating will put him to sleep). 

Feed baby 30-45 minutes before your session.

(And make sure they're wearing a bib or spit-up cloth.) It's best if baby is asleep for at least some of the session, and feeding him right before usually does the trick. You and your baby are still learning the ropes when it comes to feeding, so give yourself plenty of time. ​

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Laura Richards is a family, newborn and maternity portrait artist serving Charlottesville, Virginia. She specializes in authentic, feel-good photography that tells "the story of you" for generations. Learn all about what makes her different from other photographers here.