17 Photos to Take in Your Baby's First Month

If you’ve had a baby before, you know how fast and blurry those first days of life are in that fresh postpartum stage. I don’t think you can get enough pictures or videos of that sweet oxytocin-inducing babe, but whether you’re healing from a vaginal delivery or a cesarean, it’s so hard to prioritize documenting that time!

I’ve put together 17 ideas of images you can take during the first few weeks, as a guide to help you document your new family member through the fog of recovery. At the bottom of this post is a handy checklist to screenshot and save on your phone!

BUT FIRST tips for taking your own photos if hiring a professional isn’t in the budget:

  • Use only natural light from windows, turn off all the lights! Don’t be afraid to move things closer to the window for better light.

  • Try a variety of angles, even the smallest adjustment can make a huge difference.

  • Wait until baby is sleepy or just in a happy mood.

  • Don’t stress! Babies always can tell if you’re stressed. Set up for the photo in the morning and just wait for the right moment during the day to make it happen so you don’t miss your window of opportunity. If it doesn’t work, try again tomorrow!

  • Make sure you get in the photos! Use a tripod (or just set your phone somewhere precarious like I do) and an intervalometer app set to shoot every second on your phone to take natural photos.

  • Alternatively, have your partner or another family member take some of the photos for you.

On to the list!

1. Baby in a crib, nest or bassinet

newborn baby lying in a nest on a sofa from above
newborn baby sucking on hand in plum and sparrow bassinet in calgary
baby with mouth open and drool lying in white crib with woodland creature sheet

2. Baby on your bed from The side with a window behind

newborn baby lying on parents bed backlit with window in the background
wiggly baby lying on bed with window behind wearing all beige

3. Baby on your bed, from above

chunky baby stretching on white bed from above

4. Baby being weighed

baby being weighed by midwife at home with sibling behind
midwives weighing new baby after a home birth postpartum in alberta

5. Siblings meeting baby

dad holding newborn toddler sibling hugging baby
three siblings meeting new baby brother at home on bed in airdrie

6. Siblings holding baby (or with baby)

brother holding baby from above
sister holding baby brother in a living room chair gazing
two big brothers holding baby on couch
toddler reaching to touch newborn in orange nest

7. Details

newborn baby on bed with parents hands touching
mom holding baby on bed with window backlit

8. Postpartum belly

Mom holding baby in depends underwear with cesarean scar from c-section
little baby feet on mom's postpartum belly

9. Mom with baby

Mom holding baby out beside window
mom on bed snuggling with baby
mom on sofa holding baby on chest with soother
mom leaning over talking newborn lying on bed in calgary

10. Partner with baby

romany black dad holding newborn baby on chest
Dad staring at newborn baby in his arms

11. Parents with baby

Parents snuggling brand new baby on bed fresh 48 calgary
close up of parents holding baby in arms

12. Feeding

asian mom breastfeeding newborn baby on bed  fresh 48
Mom feeding new baby a bottle on her lap

13. Diaper Change

Dad changing baby's diaper while mom plays with toddler in background
Mom talking to toddler while changing new baby diaper on bed

14. Furry family members with baby

New baby in crib with toller dog looking over nova scotia duck tolling retriever

15. Grandparent(s) with baby

grandmother holding newborn baby sitting on chair

16. Bath time

newborn baby having a kitchen sink bath with flower pillow in calgary

17. Don’t forget a photo with the whole family!

family sitting on floor in toddler room with newborn baby parents siblings dog
family photo with newborn baby on bed
big family on bed snuggling with new baby five kids

Screenshot this checklist to save in on your phone!

checklist for photos to take of your baby within the first week month of life