By Deborah Longmore Photography – Newborn Photography Midlands
Ahhh, newborn sleep—or the mysterious art of trying to get some. I had two babies who luckily did sleep through very early on. This was probably because my son was in an incubator at birth and so didnt ever get used to being held. As they got older though it was a slightly different story. The epic two-hour settle, followed by my silent ninja escape… only to step on a creaky floorboard and start the party all over again. Learn some newborn sleep tips – newborn photography Midlands
At first, it was cute. Then I started dreaming about sleep while I was sleeping. That’s when I knew I was officially a sleep-deprived zombie.
I tried everything. Routines, no routines, baby-led, wake windows, no wake windows, dummy, no dummy. If it existed—I tried it.
Fast forward to today: my little ones are now champion sleepers (well they are teenagers!) And funnily enough, newborn sleep became part of my job. Being a newborn photographer is a lot more than capturing those teeny toes and adorable yawns—it’s about settling babies, calming them, and helping them feel safe, warm, and happy.
One of the most common things parents ask me during a session is:
“How on earth do you get them to sleep so easily?”
So I thought I’d share a few of my favourite tricks here—things I wish I had known years ago!
Debbie’s Top Tips for Newborn Sleep
1. Warm water bottle magic
Before you place baby down in their crib or bassinet, pop a warm (not hot!) water bottle on the mattress for a few minutes. It makes the transition from your warm arms to the cot way smoother. Just remember to remove it before you lay baby down.
2. Rock into the light
If baby is struggling to settle, try gently rocking them towards the light (a window, a lamp—anything soft and natural). It’s a little trick I picked up on a newborn photography course taught by a midwife. Babies find light fascinating—and it’s quite tiring to look at, too! It’s a settle-meets-arm workout.
3. Swaddle for the win
In the studio, I swaddle my newborns that are struggling to drift off in a deep sleep. It helps them feel safe, secure, and curled up like they were in the womb. There are some great tutorials online to show how to do this safely. Just always keep an eye on baby’s temperature and never overheat.
4. Spot those sleepy cues early
Try to catch baby before they hit the overtired zone (it’s a dramatic place). Look out for rubbing eyes or ears, jerky arm and leg movements, yawning, or mild grizzling. Once baby gets overtired, settling takes a bit more effort. This is one of the reasons I start my sessions at 10am. It is less time for you to keep baby awake before the session.
5. Forehead strokes = magic
A gentle stroke across baby’s forehead can help them relax and close their eyes. Works like a charm. Especially when they’re almost asleep but keep popping their eyes open!
6. My not-so-secret weapon: The Baby Shusher
Honestly, it’s incredible. I use it in the studio and it’s a game changer. White noise is amazing for newborns—and this clever gadget frees up your phone and helps soothe baby (and sometimes sleepy dads!) right to sleep. Worth every penny.
7. Teamwork makes the dream work
If baby’s sleep is a bit all over the place, share the load. Take turns, tag in and out, even if it’s just for a nap on the sofa. Sleep is gold—grab it where you can.
One last thing I want to remind all you wonderful, sleepy, overwhelmed new parents:
This is a phase. It will pass. Everyone will sleep again.
When you’re in the fog, just take a deep breath. Ask for help. Be kind to yourself. And don’t forget the most important survival tool of all: caffeine.
(and there is always cake too)
And if you’re popping in for a session—don’t worry if baby doesn’t sleep straight away. I’ve got tricks, time, tea, and a comfy sofa waiting for you.
Sending sleepy wishes,
Debbie x
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