Newborn Photoshoot Wrapping Tutorial: How to Wrap a Newborn for Photos
Say cheese without the stress! Learn how to nail the perfect family photos without breaking a sweat.
First things first—CONGRATS on your brand-new, squishy little love! You did it. You brought a tiny human into the world, and now your days are filled with sleepy snuggles, that sweet newborn smell, and approximately one million diaper changes. (Seriously, how do they go through so many?)
We know life is moving at warp speed between early morning and late-night feedings (they all blend together) and the “Wait, when did I last shower?” moments. But it’s true what they say—these tiny fingers, sleepy grins, and milk-drunk faces? They won’t last forever. And while you might not be able to bottle up the newborn stage (someone needs to invent that already), you can capture it in the sweetest way possible: through amazing photos.
The best part? You don’t need a fancy studio or professional photographer—just your baby, some cozy blankets, and the camera on your phone. It’s safe to assume you’re surviving on cold coffee and three hours of sleep, but don’t worry—this simple, step-by-step guide to snapping the kind of newborn photos you’ll want to keep forever is here to help.
Ready? Set, go! Grab your phone (wait, it’s probably already in your hand), take a deep breath, and let’s make some magic.
We found the most straightforward step-by-step newborn wrapping tutorial (with two different options) to help you wrap your baby like a pro (because swaddling is really just baby origami). Check it out below!
This is prettier than the basic swaddle and allows the baby’s hands and feet to be out, which is great if you’re looking to capture a variety of poses. However, because the baby’s hands and feet are free, this wrap works best with a sleepy baby.
- Start with the baby in the center of the wrap
- Bring the ends of the wrap together and twist in the front
- Tuck the remaining fabric back underneath the baby
If you have extra fabric, leave it behind the baby or bring some down around the baby’s bottom to help tuck the legs up a little more. Enter the cutest little bundle of joy you’ve ever seen!
For this technique, you need a wrap that’s long enough to cover the baby from its shoulders to its knees. This wrap technique is perfect for wiggly babies or babies that are semi-awake or alert because it secures the arms and situates the wrap right under their chin, where they will look like a tiny, cozy baby burrito.
- Place the baby in the first quarter of the wrap
- Tuck the baby’s legs up onto their belly
- Bring the fabric across their belly and legs, keeping it under their arms
- Tuck the end of the fabric underneath the baby
- Bring the long side of the fabric across the belly and legs—and instead of going underneath the arm, bring the fabric over the shoulder
- Pull the remaining fabric around their back and over the front of the opposite shoulder - and then tuck underneath again. Here, the baby’s arms should be free to bend at the elbows
- Spread the remaining fabric and bring it across both arms
And voilà—PEAK newborn perfection.
Learning to perfectly wrap a newborn for photos doesn’t have to be an all-day event (because you’re working on a newborn’s schedule here). Follow these simple tips, snap those sweet shots, and be done before the next feeding!
Soft, stretchy fabrics like muslin swaddles or jersey knit wraps work best for newborn photo shoots. Want to keep it extra simple? A cute onesie or just a diaper with a cozy blanket totally works, too. Pro tip: Neutral colors = timeless photos.
Spread the wrap flat on a soft surface—your bed, a couch, or a fluffy rug all work like a charm.
Natural light is your BFF. Set up near a big window for that soft, dreamy glow (no fancy lighting equipment needed).
Close-ups of baby toes, fuzzy hair, little fingers gripping the wrap—capture the little things before they change way too fast.
Babies know when you’re stressed. Take your time; if your little model needs a snack or cuddle break, roll with it.
Adjust any folds, make sure the baby is snug but comfy, and let that sweet little face peek out. And boom—photo perfection!
You did it! You learned how to wrap a newborn for photos and snapped the cutest pics. Now that your camera roll is a shrine to your baby, it’s time to do something with them! Those sweet photos deserve better than getting lost between grocery lists and random screenshots. Turn them into something you can actually see and hold onto.
Got a frame-worthy shot (or fifteen)? Order Premium Photo Prints and turn your walls, shelves, or nursery into a baby photo gallery. (Warning: This may cause excessive, overly cute “Aww” moments.)
Newborn magic doesn’t stop after one cute photo! With Chatbooks Monthbooks, you can print a baby book as they grow—one month at a time—so you never forget the first gummy smiles, wobbly head lifts, or the first time they finally slept for five hours straight.
Keep snapping, snuggling, and soaking it all in. These early days are a beautiful, oh-so-fleeting, messy blur—but with high-quality prints and baby photo books, you’ll have these memories forever. Your future self will thank you, and Chatbooks is here to help you remember every single moment.
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