You’ve just delivered a sweet little baby. You’ve made it home. You probably haven’t gotten very much sleep let alone pick out outfits for your newborn photos. Don’t worry. I don’t want you to worry too much about this.
A few things to consider that will help you pick out some outfits before you give birth.
1. Consider your comfort
Number one, you have just given so much of yourself being pregnant and delivering a baby. I want you to feel above all, comfortable. When you are uncomfortable, it shows and mama’s energy affects your baby's energy. Go off your intuition here. What sounds good? Sweats? Awesome! Pick some cute lounge pants that you can relax in. Personally, I wore super loose linen overalls in my favorite color, yellow.
2. Postpartum feels different than maternity
We’ve been dressing that bump for the better part of a year. It’s hard to shift the mindset here. Now I’m speaking from personal experience, but I hated maternity jeans. They felt even weirder if I slipped them on postpartum. I assumed I’d just wear the same things I’d worn during my pregnancy. But mamas you know, your body is a little softer and looser in those weeks following birth. This is just a beautiful part of the process. By no means do you have to hide in something loose or a thick sweater. I just want for you to wear what would help you feel most comfortable as you give your body love and time to heal.
3. Make sure it’s functional
We’re often laying on the bed, standing up, sitting down, and nursing baby during newborn sessions, so be sure to wear something functional that allows you to do all these things. Don’t get too hung up on nursing wear. Beautiful nursing shots can still be captured with a v-neck top/dress or even just lifting up your favorite tee. You can always wear a cami underneath, if you prefer less skin showing.
4. What’s your style?
Are you a boho queen that feels most like you in a lace dress and wide brim hat? Or do you love kicking it low-key in your flowy pants and favorite band tee. I don’t want you to get in a monochromatic white top and jeans outfit, because that’s what you see on pinterest. I want you to look back at these photos and feel like that is ME and MY style, loving on my new little baby at that specific moment in my mamahood journey.
5. When and where are you shooting?
I shoot most of my newborn sessions at home, but occasionally we’ll take a stroll around the house or at a nearby beach. This is a good opportunity to change up your look with a sweater if it’s cooler or a hat if it’s sunny. Maybe you feature your new baby wrap carrier or ring sling for a couple cute snuggly moments outside. It’s super easy to add an accessory to change up your look and offer yourself variety.
Use your intuition and instincts. Maybe give yourself a 2-3 options. Give yourself grace and love. Think of this as a part of nesting your sacred space postpartum. Rather than picking an outfit that places any kind of expectation on you and your body, pick something that would make you feel confident and joyful, no matter what season your body is in.
I hope this helped. It seems like a last minute thing, but it’s a bit of self-love you can provide for yourself as you are constantly giving so much of yourself as a mother.
