Baby Talk - 3/19/15

Nothing is more precious than a baby! We are so fortunate to have the privilege of photographing newborns and take special care in handling and positioning these precious bundles. Aneliese is one of our most recent newborns that we had the honor of photographing.

Meeting a newborn for the first time is such an exciting experience! You do, however, want to adhere to proper etiquette for visiting new parents and respect everyone’s needs. Here are a few suggestions for being a considerate visitor.

• Wash your hands. Since newborns have fragile immune systems and can catch an infection quickly, always wash your hands before holding the baby. You want to assure the new parents that when you touch their baby, it is with the cleanest hands possible.  

• Keep your germs to yourself. Although this seems obvious, it needs to be stated. If you are sick, even with a minor cold, delay your visit until you are healthy. You can call the parents to express your congratulations and indicate that you will visit later when you are feeling better. You do not want to be the one responsible for making a newborn sick. 

• Make it short. New parents are very busy people! They may not have had more than a few hours of uninterrupted sleep in days or weeks, may not be able to recall the last proper meal they have eaten, nor the day of their last shower. So, keep your visit under an hour and be sure to call ahead to determine a convenient time for the newborn and the parents. 

• Provide a helping hand. If you are comfortable holding and caring for a newborn, you may be able to provide some needed relief to the parents. They may use this time to take a shower or catch a quick nap. If you are not at ease with the baby, then offer to help in a different way – fill the dishwasher, do a load or two of laundry, clean the kitchen, cook or bring a meal.

• Keep your advice to yourself. If asked a specific question, share your opinion, but do not provide unsolicited advice to new parents. Well-meant comments or suggestions can easily be taken as an insult. What worked for you, may not work for them.