There are a few things to consider when setting up a baby milk bath photo shoot, and when it comes to taking photos of babies it helps to be prepared. Choose a location that works with the weather – if it’s cold outside, stay inside where it’s warm and pop baby’s bath near a window for good light. If it’s a sunny, warm day, take the photo shoot outside for some dappled natural light.
Also, consider any possible allergies baby may have (or you may not know about yet) when putting things into the bath. Around six-months-old, or when bub is able or almost able to sit up is the perfect time to get the camera out for one of these photo shoots. Babies at this age are full of fun and personality, and it’ll shine through.
Think about the time of day – if your little water baby is due for a nap, it’s obviously not the greatest time to try and get some happy snaps. Try setting up the photo shoot for just after feed or when bub would normally having a play.
We asked the mums in the Mum’s Grapevine Baby Facebook Groups to share their DIY baby milk bath photo shoots, and the results are adorable.
How to create a milk bath photo shoot
Step 1: Choose a bath
A baby bath does just fine – but also have a look around at what else might make a good vessel. A stainless steel tub, plastic tub, large bucket, the kitchen sink or even a drinks tub all work well.
Step 2: Select ingredients
Yep, a baby milk bath needs ingredients, and you can team with a theme or just go with whatever is on hand. First, fill up the tub with some warm water – we’re looking to cover baby’s bits. Then add something to make it milky – cow’s milk, breastmilk, longlife milk, bath oil, coconut milk, rice milk, powdered milk (full cream) or hot chocolate are all excellent choices. You’ll just need to experiment to see how much you need to make it cloudy. Just keep in mind if you’re using something for the first time to check for allergies first.
Step 3: Add decorations
Now comes the fun part! Raid the garden, pantry, fridge or the even the toy box. Things like fruit (just check which ones sink), vegetables, toys, foliage, flowers (artificial and real), Milo, marshmallows, candy canes, water beads or petals are all brilliant. Just remember everything is probably going to go into your little star’s mouth, so keep it all safe.
Step 4: Bath time!
Add a towel to the bottom of the bath or against the side to help stop slipping and sliding, then add in your baby, followed by the ingredients, and let the fun start.
11 tips for creating a beautiful milk bath
We also asked our mums to share their DIY baby milk bath photos top tips, and here’s what they told Mum’s Grapevine:
- Use towels to prop up bub if they’re not quite able to sit yet, and so they’re comfy and don’t slip.
- If you have an oversupply of breastmilk, it’s perfect for using in a baby milk bath photo shoot, and as a bonus, bub gets a soothing bath!
- Take a video and then grab screenshots for photos.
- Extra hands are a must so grab a friend to help, and to get bub’s attention for photos.
- Have a warm bath ready to rinse off bub afterwards.
- Use sentimental objects, like flowers that have been sent from a friend.
- The bath doesn’t need to be deep, just enough to keep bub’s modesty!
- Put the water in first, then the milk, to avoid bubbles.
- Make it memorable – use props that mean something. One mum used all the bottles, pump parts, and formula bottles from bub’s first six months!
- Feed bub beforehand so they’re full and content.
- Choose a sunny day. If you’re doing the shoot inside, set up near a window.
37 baby milk bath photo ideas
Browse through the photos below for inspiration from the Mum’s Grapevine community.
Fresh Fruit | Botanicals | Pregnancy Cravings | Milestones | Quirky
Fresh fruit baby milk bath ideas
Citrus seems to be a firm favourite when it comes to fruit in the bath, oranges for a pop of colour, or lemons for a more subtle look. Or go for strawberries to really give the photos a lift.
Pregnancy cravings baby milk bath ideas
Quite a few mums based their photo shoots around their pregnancy cravings. From cereal to flavoured milk and choc chip cookies – there’s nothing like a little sugar rush!
Milestone photo baby milk bath ideas
Combine two photo shoots in one by marking a special milestone. A milk bath half-year baby birthday is really popular, and with good reason – these tots are loving it!
Botanicals baby milk bath ideas
Have a hunt around the garden for interesting flowers and leaves to put in the bath, just make sure you know what they are so there are no nasty reactions. Foliage looks etheral floating in the milky water.
Quirky baby milk bath ideas
Why not go for something completely absurd, like bub’s current obsession. Toy trucks, water beads or the traditional rubber ducky are all winners.
Read next …
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