Essential Newborn Must-Haves from a Michiana Newborn Photographer

Welcome, Michiana families! As a seasoned newborn photographer serving the, NWI, Michiana, and Greater Chicago area, I’ve witnessed firsthand how certain essentials can make all the difference in a smooth, joyful newborn session. I spend countless hours soothing, swaddling, and settling babies during sessions. Over the years, I’ve learned which products truly make life easier for both parents and myself, and I often recommend these same items to families for use at home.

Here are some of my favorite newborn must-haves that I use in the studio, but also work wonders for everyday life with your new baby.

1. A Warm & Cozy Environment

Newborns are used to the warmth of the womb, so keeping their environment comfortably warm helps them settle and sleep better. In my studio, I keep the thermostat WARM since baby is nude or near-nude for a majority of their time here—but at home, you don’t need it quite as warm! Still, many families keep their home’s thermostat at 68°F, which can feel chilly to a brand-new baby!

Did you know that sleep sacks come in different weight ratings, called “TOG”?! Make sure you are using a TOG appropriate for the temperature of the room your baby sleeps in!

Tip: Consider keeping the thermostat at 72°F, and dressing baby accordingly. I know those postpartum hormones make us feel crazy hot, but here’s a useful chart I used to dress my son in those early months!

2. The Baby Shusher

This is hands-down one of my favorite tools in the studio. The Baby Shusher uses rhythmic “shh-ing” sounds that mimic what babies hear in the womb. It’s like magic for calming fussiness!

At home: Keep one in the nursery or in your diaper bag for on the go. It can be a lifesaver during late-night wakeups or when your baby just can’t seem to settle when out and about!

3. The Lulla-Vibe

If you’ve ever seen me in action during a newborn session, you’ve probably noticed my Lulla-Vibe. It is just a soft, portable vibration pad that gently soothes babies. I usually tuck it under their tush for babies that just need never-ending butt pats. It’s especially great for helping them drift off to sleep when placed under their crib mattress or bassinet at home.

At home: This is a simple, affordable way to recreate that gentle rocking and vibration babies love without needing a bulky swing or constant movement from you!

4. White Noise Machine

I use a white noise machine in every newborn session—three in fact, if you count the Baby Shusher… Even though I am likely overstimulated from the constant noise, it does help to drown out distracting sounds and creates a consistent, calming background hum. The womb wasn’t exactly a quiet place for your baby!

At home: A white noise machine (or even an app on your phone) can help your baby stay asleep longer, especially if you have older kids, pets, or live in a noisy neighborhood here in the Chicago area and surrounding suburbs!

5. Swaddles & Wraps

A good swaddle keeps babies feeling safe, snug, and secure. Babies have a startle reflex, that can be triggered by anything, everything, and nothing at all! In the studio, I use a specialty swaddle for newborn photos since swaddling can help settle even the fussiest newborns for their portraits.

At home: Having a few high-quality swaddles (I recommend stretchy ones for a snug but safe fit) can make naps and nighttime easier for the whole family. These are the ones I used for my son!

6. Pacifiers (Even Just for Soothing)

I always keep a few individually wrapped pacifiers on hand in the studio. Some babies only need them for a minute or two to drift off, but it makes all the difference. My son wouldn’t take anything other than the Dr. Brown’s pacifiers since he was very picky about his bottle nipples being Dr Brown’s as well!

At home: Even if you’re not planning on using a pacifier long-term, it can be a helpful tool during fussy times, putting baby down for a nap, or bed time!

The newborn stage can feel SO overwhelming, but the right tools can bring so much peace and comfort, for both you and your little one. As a Chicagoland newborn photographer, I’ve seen how products like the Baby Shusher, Lulla-Vibe, and white noise machines truly work wonders in my studio, and I wholeheartedly recommend them for everyday use at home!

If you’re preparing for your newborn session or just looking for ways to make those first few weeks run a little smoother, these simple products can make all the difference in those early days.