Best Newborn Baby Products

I’m so excited to share this newborn photography session in the beautiful newborn studio in Carp, just outside Ottawa. This little guy was so calm and sleepy the entire session which is every newborn photographer’s dream. These first time parents were absolutely smitten with him and it wasn’t hard to see why. We got onto the topic of different ways to soothe a newborn baby and I happily gave them some tips I have not only learned from my two girls, but also from all the newborns I have photographed. I figured I would pass on what I have learned over the years in the hope that it would help a new momma struggling to get some sleep!

The Material:

My first tip is to read the book “The Happiest Baby on the Block” by Dr. Harvey Karp. It is loaded with amazing soothing techniques that worked wonders with my kiddos. Here is the link to the book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.ca/Happiest-Block-Revised-Updated-Second/dp/0553393235/ref=sr_1_1?crid=184SEBNHDU4E1&keywords=happiest+baby+on+the+block&qid=1552325279&s=gateway&sprefix=happiest+b%2Caps%2C168&sr=8-1

The Products:

One of the first chapters in his book is all about swaddling. I often hear parents say that their baby doesn’t like to be swaddled and I thought the same with my first as she always fought the wrap and broke out of it. Dr. Harvey explains that they might fight going into it because they don’t know what you are doing, but usually once they are swaddled they become calm very quickly. The reasoning behind this is because they are used to being in a very tight space in their mom’s body, and they can’t control their reflexes, so often startle themselves awake. Now, I know swaddling is no easy task, especially trying to get a tight swaddle so they don’t break out and wake themselves up, so I’m going to link the best swaddles that I swore by with my girls. The first one is the Halo Sleep Sack. It uses velcro to make stay tight so it is pretty fool proof for the parents. They also have summer and winter options which is great for places like Ottawa that are seasonal. Here is the link for those: https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=halo+sleepsack&crid=3HB541ZVDXL3V&sprefix=halo+see%2Caps%2C156&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_8

I know some babies like to have their hands up by their faces. My second was like that, so I was so happy to find these Love to Dream Swaddle Up from Chapters. They are super easy to use. The baby can have their hands by their face and they look absolutely adorable while in them. The other bonus about these is that they are easy to transition out of because they have different stages, and the last stage swaddle you can unzip the arms one at a time. These swaddles are just my absolute favourite. In fact, I gave them to a friend whose baby was up every hour, and the first night of putting him in it he slept 5 hours straight🙌. Here is the link: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/baby/love-to-dream-swaddle-up/9343443000307-item.html?ikwid=swaddle&ikwsec=Home&ikwidx=4

The last bit of advice I would give is to suggest a good white noise machine. If you have been in the studio with me you know that we always have white noise on. Babies are used to the loud noises of their mother’s womb which is why white noise is very comforting to them. My favourite is the Dohm white noise machine as it isn’t battery operated and the white noise doesn’t sound like static. Ive had mine for 3 years now and it’s still going strong! Here is the link for the machine:

https://www.amazon.ca/Marpac-Classic-White-Noise-Machine/dp/B07BQYMNLF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=95N37PC67UL8&keywords=dohm+white+noise+machine&qid=1552326198&s=gateway&sprefix=dohm%2Caps%2C153&sr=8-1

I hope these techniques on how to soothe a newborn baby are helpful! If I’ve missed any tried and true tips and tricks to getting a baby to ‘sleep like a baby’, please post your tips below!

*Gillian is a Ottawa Newborn Photographer and Ottawa Newborn Photographer serving Ottawa and just outside of Ottawa. I live in Kanata with my husband and two young daughters who are the light of my life. I am a stay at home mom/mom photographer who  specializes in Ottawa Baby Photography and all things Family. I offer both Studio Newborn Photography and well as Lifestyle Newborn Photography in Ottawa. My goal is to capture the unique and beautiful connection of your family so you will have these memories to pass down to your children and grandchildren*