How to Wrap a Baby in a Swaddle for Photography

Co-authored by Lisa Greaves Taylor, CCCE, LCCE, CD (DONA) and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: July 17, 2022 References

There's nothing like those first few months of having a baby—and naturally, you want to capture every perfect detail so you can remember it forever. Swaddling your baby is a great way to keep them cozy and calm while you take photos. Just try to plan your photoshoot before your baby turns 8 weeks old—after that, babies start trying to roll, so swaddles aren't recommended past that point.^{[1]
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1

Use a stretchy material for swaddling.

Choose a fabric with plenty of give, like cheesecloth or jersey. If the fabric is stretchy, it will be easier to pull it snugly around the baby.^{[2]
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Research source} It will also be easier to try a variety of different wrapping techniques, since you'll be able to pull and stretch the material without disturbing the baby too much.
- You can purchase baby wraps from a variety of baby shops and boutiques, or you could make your own, if you prefer. The ideal size for a baby swaddle for photography is about 60 in (150 cm) and about 12–15 in (30–38 cm) wide.^{[3]
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2

Choose wraps that coordinate with your backdrop.

Pick different colors and textures that will stand out in photos. Neutrals and pastels are always great options for baby photography, because you really want the focus to be on your infant. However, the wrap you choose should still complement the background of the photo. It doesn't have to match exactly—a little contrast can be nice—but it shouldn't clash, either.^{[4]
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- For instance, if you're posing your baby on a plush grey blanket, you might pick a jersey wrap that's a soft, cool pink. If you'll be using a white fur rug, you might create a little contrast with a tan muslin wrap.

3

Start with a basic swaddle for simplicity.

Bring the wrap snugly around your baby's arms and legs. Spread the wrap out flat, then place your baby so they're a little off-center—one side of the wrap should be longer than the other. Pull the top corner of the shorter side over your baby's shoulder and across their chest, then tuck it under their opposite shoulder.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Lisa Greaves Taylor, CCCE, LCCE, CD (DONA)
Certified Doula & Childbirth Educator
Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.} Wrap the rest of the short side over your baby's legs, bottom, and feet, tucking it under their opposite hip. Then, wrap the longer side over and around your baby, tucking it under their bottom.^{[6]
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- You can keep wrapping until all of the swaddle is wrapped around your baby, or you can leave a longer tail hanging out if you'd prefer it in your photos.
- Be sure to keep the fabric spread out flat while you're wrapping—not only it that more comfortable for your baby, but it will look better in the photos, as well.
- This is a great way to wrap your baby if you just want to keep them cozy and calm while you take shots of them sleeping.

4

Add visual interest with an easy knotted wrap.

Knot the wrap over your baby's midsection. Start by placing your baby right in the center of the wrap, then pull both sides straight up on either side of them. Tie the sides in a simple knot and pull until it's snug against your baby's belly, then pull the bottom of the wrap up over your baby's bottom and tuck it under the knot. Wrap each of the long sides of the wrap under your baby's back and around their bottom and tuck those ends under the knot, as well.^{[7]
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- This cute swaddle looks great with a textured wrap.
- If you want to take a few shots with your baby's feet out, just untuck the bottom portion from underneath the knot.^{[8]
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5

Tuck the swaddle around your baby to show more skin.

Wrap your baby so their hands, feet, and belly are out. Place your baby on their back with the wrap placed under the back of their neck. Tuck your baby's arms and legs in close to their body, then pull the ends of the swaddle down around your baby's sides, under their bottom, and back up toward the opposite side. Also, stretch the sides of the fabric up and around your baby's shoulders and knees. Pull everything snugly so the wrap will stay in place.^{[9]
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- This will create an almost basket-like effect, so your baby will feel securely wrapped even though their hands, feet, and chest are exposed.

6

Layer wraps to easily change up a photo.

Drape one swaddle over another so you don't have to rewrap the baby. Once you get your baby swaddled, you might want to get a different look for a few shots without necessarily having to redo the entire swaddle. An easy way to experiment with different looks is to just lay one wrap over another. Just tuck it in neatly so you can't see the original wrap in the pictures.^{[10]
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- This is also a great way to add extra texture to your photo—you might drape a piece of lace or muslin over the first swaddle, for instance.

7

Swaddle the baby tightly.

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Pull the material snugly around your baby to keep them calm. Babies prefer to be swaddled tightly—it helps them feel secure, so you're able to move them around easily without waking them.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Lisa Greaves Taylor, CCCE, LCCE, CD (DONA)
Certified Doula & Childbirth Educator
Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.}

In addition, wrapping your baby tightly will help keep their arms and legs from slipping out of the wrap while you're taking pictures.^{[12]
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Image titled Wrap a Baby in a Swaddle for Photography Step 7

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- Just be sure you can still slip your hand between the wrap and your baby's chest. That will ensure they're able to breathe comfortably.^{[13]
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  American Academy of Pediatrics
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8

Work with what the baby is doing.

Wrap them how they're naturally curled up. The easiest way to swaddle your baby while they're sleeping is to just go with however they're posed. If your baby prefers to keep their hands up by their face, wrap them with their hands near their chin. If they have their feet tucked near their bottom, swaddle them just like that. This will help them feel more secure, and they're less likely to get upset or uncomfortable while you're taking their pictures.^{[14]
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9

Take photos when your baby is sleepy.

Feed your baby before the shot so they'll be full and content. Babies usually nap right after they eat, so feeding them first is a great way to ensure they'll be settled and calm during the photoshoot. If there's a certain time of day your baby usually naps, you might take that into consideration, too.^{[15]
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- Try using a noise machine to help create a cozy environment where the baby will be sleepy and comfortable.
- If the baby starts crying during the shoot, take a break to feed, comfort, or change the baby.

10

Put your baby in a diaper, then decide whether to add clothes.

Use a diaper even if you opt for no clothing. Don't risk having an accident ruin your photoshoot—you can always tuck the swaddle around your baby to cover their diaper. After that, it's up to you whether you want to put them in clothes under the wrap. A cute, coordinating outfit can make for adorable shots, but it's perfectly fine if you prefer to leave that brand-new baby skin showing.^{[16]
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- Try adding cute touches like diaper covers, hats, and headbands to add a little more interest to the pictures.
- If you decide to take a few naked shots of your baby, put them in the pose you want to shoot first, remove their diaper, and take a few quick pictures. Then, replace the diaper.^{[17]
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11

Plan out a flow for your shoot.

Write out a list of the shots you want ahead of time. Timing is everything when you're taking baby photos—the whole photoshoot will go a lot more smoothly if you have a plan. Jot down a few ideas of poses you want to use for each backdrop or swaddle that you plan to use. That will help keep you on track when you start shooting, so hopefully you won't have to go back and redo anything.^{[18]
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- For instance, if you're going to use different wrapping techniques, plan out all the shots you want to get while the baby is in the first swaddle, then finish those before you move on to the next wrap.

12

Experiment with different backdrops.

Place your baby on the backdrop once they're swaddled. It's easiest to pose your baby if you lay them on something soft, like a cushion, beanbag, or posing pillow. However, you can disguise the cushion with any variety of materials like plush rugs, crocheted blankets, or even a colorful bedsheet.^{[19]
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- Try putting your baby on a fur-covered cushion inside a basket. Then, place the basket on a hardwood floor for a pretty contrast!^{[20]
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- Be sure not to leave your baby unattended during the shoot—the only place that it's safe for your baby to sleep unattended is on their back in a crib.^{[21]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How do you safely swaddle a baby?

Corey Fish, MD
Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare
Dr. Corey Fish is a practicing Pediatrician and the Chief Medical Officer at Brave Care, a pediatric healthcare company based in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Fish has over 10 years of experience in pediatric care and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Fish received a BS in Biology from Pacific Lutheran University in 2005, an MD from the University of Washington School of Medicine in 2009, and completed his Pediatric Residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 2012.

Corey Fish, MD

Pediatrician & Chief Medical Officer, BraveCare

Expert Answer

Hip healthy swaddling keeps babys' hips in a better position. Normally when you're swaddling a baby, you cross one side, cross the bottom, and then cross the other side over and then tuck it. With hip swaddling, if you actually cross one side, cross the other side, and then take the bottom and twist it and tuck it underneath, it'll hold the baby's legs in a frog leg position instead of dead straight.

Warnings

If you're shooting from above, always wear your camera's strap around your neck so the camera doesn't fall on the baby if it slips out of your hands.^{[25]
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Never leave your baby unattended while you're taking pictures.

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