How I Soothe Babies During Newborn Sessions (And Why It Usually Works)
If you’ve ever watched a newborn photographer magically turn a wide-awake baby into a sleepy little squishmallow, you may assume we have some secret baby-whisperer powers. Honestly… sometimes it kind of feels that way. 🤪 But most of the time, soothing babies during a session comes down to understanding why they’re upset in the first place and knowing a few techniques that help them feel secure, sleepy, and comfortable. You can remember the main methods of soothing by remembering these 5 S’s. I’ve also added a few extra tricks I’ve learned over the years photographing hundreds of newborns. And the good news? These work at home too.
First Things First: Read Baby’s Cues
Before trying to soothe a baby, it’s important to figure out why they’re unsettled. Sometimes they’re hungry. Sometimes they need a diaper change. Sometimes they have reflux or gas. And sometimes they’re overtired and fighting sleep like a tiny caffeinated gremlin.
A baby who is overtired often responds really well to soothing techniques because they want to sleep, they just need help getting there. One thing I always tell parents during sessions: not every baby likes every soothing method. Some babies calm instantly with white noise. Others want movement. Some want all five soothing techniques at once. The trick is patience and figuring out what your specific baby needs.
The 5 S’s (And Why They Help)
1. Swaddling
Swaddling is usually where I start during newborn sessions. Babies are used to being snug and secure in the womb, so wrapping them tightly (and safely) often helps them settle quickly. It also reduces that dramatic newborn startle reflex where their arms suddenly fling out like they just . Swaddling can also help prevent uncontrolled movements that accidentally wake them up during posing. This is one reason I typically begin sessions with wrapped poses first. Ideally, baby falls into a deeper sleep before we transition into proper or beanbag/table poses.
2. Sucking (Pacifiers)
This is probably the most controversial one, so let’s talk about it. Some babies fall asleep while nursing or taking a bottle, but the second they’re moved onto the posing table, they wake right back up. Non-nutritive sucking (like a pacifier) can help bridge that gap and soothe them back to sleep. I promise a pacifier used briefly during a session is not going to instantly ruin breastfeeding or create a lifelong dependency. Of course, parents always have the final say. But if parents choose not to use a pacifier during the session, it’s important to understand that posing options may become more limited if baby strongly relies on sucking for comfort.
3. Shushing & White Noise
I always have white noise running during newborn sessions. Always. The womb was actually pretty loud, so silence can feel unfamiliar to newborns. White noise mimics those constant sounds they heard before birth and helps block sudden noises that might startle them awake. I use the “Baby Shusher” sound machine during sessions, but still find myself shushing along with it. 😆 Monotone repetitive sounds are incredibly soothing for babies.
4. Swaying & Gentle Movement
Gentle movement can help babies settle because movement was normal for them before they were born. Sometimes a little swaying, rocking, or rhythmic movement is enough to calm a fussy baby almost instantly. I also use gentle patting quite a bit during sessions, especially on baby’s bottom or back. That repetitive rhythm can mimic the mother’s heartbeat and movement babies felt in the womb. I think this one is instinct
5. Swiping
One simple soothing trick that works surprisingly well is gently swiping between baby’s eyes and down the bridge of the nose. The repetitive motion encourages babies to close their eyes and relax, especially when they’re clearly tired but fighting sleep. It’s kind of like the newborn version of someone absentmindedly rubbing your back while you drift off on the couch. I’ll often combine gentle swiping with white noise, patting, or swaying to help baby fully settle into sleep. Not every baby responds to it, but when it works… it really works.
Extra Soothing Tricks I Use During Sessions
Warmth
Newborns like warmth. Adults may walk into my studio and think, “Why does it feel like a tropical rainforest in here?” Because sleepy babies photograph better. 😂 Doctors recommend cool sleeping environments at home to reduce SIDS risks during unsupervised sleep, which is absolutely important. But during newborn sessions, babies are fully supervised at all times, and the added warmth helps them stay comfortable, especially when unclothed or lightly wrapped.
Gentle Vibrations
I have small vibration posing pillows that can be placed underneath posing blankets, and some babies absolutely love them. The slight vibration can feel calming and familiar, especially when combined with white noise and swaddling.
Deep Humming
If shushing isn’t working, low humming sometimes does. Babies often respond really well to repetitive monotone sounds. The white noise and the small vibrations you emit when humming tends to work it’s magic when nothing else seems to work.
Weighted Blankets
I sometimes use a very small, lightly weighted blanket over babies during table poses once they’re deeply asleep. It helps them feel secure and can reduce startling movements.
Why Experience Matters During Newborn Sessions
One of the biggest differences between experienced newborn photographers and newer photographers is the ability to read babies quickly. Knowing when baby is overstimulated. Knowing when they’re hungry versus just comfort sucking. Knowing when to pause instead of pushing through. That part can’t really be faked.
If you’re a photographer wanting to improve your newborn workflow, soothing techniques are one of the biggest things we work on during my mentoring and workshop sessions because getting babies calm safely changes everything about the flow of a session.
You can read more here:
Newborn Photography Workshops: What You’ll Actually Learn (And If They’re Worth It)
What to Expect from Newborn Photography Mentoring in Austin, TX
For Parents: Your Baby Does NOT Need to Be “Perfect”
I think one of the biggest misconceptions parents have before newborn sessions is that their baby needs to already be sleepy, calm, and cooperative before arriving. Please don’t stress about that. Some babies sleep the entire session (so rare we call them unicorns!). Some babies make us work for it. That’s normal. A huge part of my job is helping babies settle safely and comfortably throughout the session.
If you want to know more about how newborn sessions work and how I keep babies safe during posing, these posts may also help:
Newborn Photography Safety | What Every Parent Should Know | Austin, TX Photographer
What to Expect When Booking a Newborn Session With Jessica Doffing Photography
If you’re looking for an experienced newborn photographer who knows how to safely soothe, pose, and photograph even the tiniest little divas, you can view more newborn sessions on my homepage or contact me here to book your session.
For photographers wanting to improve their newborn workflow, posing, and soothing techniques, you can also learn more about mentoring and workshops here.
