During a newborn studio session, Friendswood parents often ask me how I am able to swaddle their baby and keep them calm for so long.
“My baby hates being swaddled,” they tell me as they look down at their peacefully sleeping baby in my studio.
Swaddling is a simple concept, yet it can be surprisingly difficult for parents—whether it’s their first baby or their fourth.
As a Friendswood newborn photographer with a NICU nursing background, I have extensive experience caring for and handling newborns. After swaddling thousands of babies throughout my nursing and photography experience, I’ve learned that what happens before the swaddle can be just as important as the swaddle itself.
Here are three things I do before I even begin.
1. Choose the Right Swaddle Fabric
The right swaddle fabric should be soft, comfortable, breathable, and easy to work with. This is especially important when you’re swaddling a newborn in the hot and humid Houston climate.
For a traditional blanket swaddle, I prefer a fabric that has some stretch while still providing enough structure to stay securely in place. I also look for a lightweight fabric rather than something heavy or overly thick.
A square-shaped blanket is also much easier to work with when you’re learning how to swaddle a newborn.
Muslin waffle cotton fabrics are breathable and beautiful, but I find that their rigidity can make them more difficult to work with when you’re trying to create a snug, secure swaddle.
I often reach for fabrics that contain a blend of cotton with materials such as spandex or viscose. These fabrics have some stretch and can gently hug the baby’s body, helping keep the arms contained.
The goal is secure—not tight. A swaddle should never restrict a baby’s breathing or movement at the hips and knees. The AAP recommends allowing enough room around the hips and knees for healthy hip movement and avoiding overheating.
2. I Warm My Hands First
Something you may not know about me is that I always have cold hands.
During a newborn session in my Friendswood studio, you might notice two little black hand warmers sitting near my camera as I set up.
After I wash my hands, I immediately warm them for a minute or two because your baby’s comfort is my priority.
I always make the studio comfortable for the newborn, but I also recognize that the way I sound, move, and handle a baby can affect how easily they settle.
I speak in a calm voice. I move slowly and gently. And I try to minimize anything that might unnecessarily startle or disturb the baby—including touching them with cold hands.
You may not struggle with cold hands like I do, but the bigger lesson is this:
Before you try to calm a newborn, consider what might be making them uncomfortable in the first place.
Sometimes the smallest changes make the biggest difference.
3. I Start With Gentle Containment
Before I even place the swaddle fabric over the baby, I first help them settle into a position that feels naturally comforting.
Think about a newborn’s position before birth, with their arms and legs naturally tucked close to their body.
I gently place my hands over the baby’s arms to provide gentle containment, while keeping their legs in a comfortable, natural position. I may hold this position for several moments while the baby settles.
My warm hands and consistent, gentle pressure can help the baby feel secure before I begin wrapping.
Once the baby is calm, I slowly begin swaddling while continuing to provide that gentle containment.
Rather than immediately trying to wrap a wiggly baby into a blanket, I’m giving them a chance to settle first.
The goal isn’t to “win” the swaddle. It’s to help the baby feel safe enough to relax into it.
A Calm Baby. A Calm Parent. A Meaningful Experience.
Swaddling is one small part of a newborn photography session, but it’s also a good example of how I approach working with babies: slowly, gently, and with their comfort in mind.
Whether your baby loves being swaddled or fights you every time you try, you don’t have to arrive at your newborn session knowing how to make everything go perfectly. That’s part of what I’m here for.
At Moments Dear Photography, I create newborn and family photographs for families in Friendswood and the greater Houston area, with an emphasis on beautiful imagery and a calm, comfortable experience for both baby and parents.
Your newborn will only be this little for a moment.
Let’s preserve it.
Ready to plan your newborn session?