Baby Madison’s Newborn Photoshoot | Indianapolis

Meet beautiful newborn baby Madison, who stopped by the studio recently for her newborn photoshoot.  She’s a beautiful beautiful baby and I loved chatting with her mom, Shayla, during the photoshoot.  Madison slept like a champ and even flashed me a few sweet newborn baby smiles.   She was so cooperative during her photoshoot – I could have kept taking pictures of these sweet baby all day – she was the best!  I talked a bit with Shayla about her experience as a first-time mom.

How’s baby Madison doing?

She’s doing great. She’s, thankfully finally sleeping longer during the night. Nighttime was a challenge for this new mom, but I got used to it. And now she’s sleeping longer. So I’m excited about that. So that tells me she’s growing.

Anything about parenting that surprises you?

I guess the exhaustion. I didn’t realize how demanding it would be and it’s just because I’m a new mom. You know, it’s such a sweet, exciting new time, but it just humbles you. It definitely humbles you. And so I didn’t realize that, but I couldn’t imagine not having her in my life. So I’d do it all over again just for her. But yeah, I didn’t realize how demanding babies are. Yes, they need you 24 seven.  It’s hard finding that balance.

What’s your favorite thing about being a new mom?

Just the bonding, bonding with her and spending time with her. Seeing her grow and change every day.  Her face has changed weekly and I’m just excited to learn and see who she becomes and what her personality is going to be like. So just being able to be part of this little human’s life and seeing the miracle that she grows into.

 

What is the most useful newborn baby product that you have?

Her DockATot! I love the DockATot!  And she loves it. She feels safe in it. And it’s portable, so you can take it with you. For example, over the weekend, I went to a family member’s home and was able to take the DockATot and she sleeps really good in it or even just to lay and lounge.  It’s a really good product. It was a splurge but it was worth it. Because I’m like, is this even worth paying this money? And it absolutely is!  I don’t think there’s a day I haven’t used this since she’s been born.

Any baby products you bought and you don’t really use?

I haven’t used her Ergo baby sling yet. I gave the baby carrier that’s attached to you. But I’m going to use it. I just haven’t used it yet. I tried to put her in it yesterday, because she loves to be attached to me. Anytime I put her down, she wakes up. If she’s sleeping. It’s like she knows that I’m not with her. And so I tried to put her in it and just to get her acclimated to it and she wanted no part of it.  No parts whatsoever. So I haven’t used that yet. And I haven’t used her crib yet. I use her bassinet and DockATot more than anything. So those are two things that I haven’t used yet.   It’s the type that they can face you or they can face outwardly when they get bigger.   

Any pregnancy and parenting books that you’ve found helpful, useful, entertaining.

Yes. What to Expect When You’re Expecting – that is a good book. I didn’t think I would use because it’s so thick. And it’s intimidating at first, but I used the whole thing throughout my pregnancy. And it was very helpful because it confirmed some of the experiences that I was having. And you don’t have to read it all at once.   The way it’s arranged is you coul take it month-by-month, even down to the week. And I love that it breaks it down for you. So it talks about what you should be or may be experiencing, the baby’s growth, any type of insecurities you may be having, I love it. I absolutely love the book. And I recommend it to any mom-to-be.  It’s even good for postpartum too.

Any parenting books that you’re reading now?

Parenting books, no, but I took a training that was really helpful. It was online.  It’s called Tinyhood.  You could take it at your own pace. That was very helpful because I didn’t know anything being a new mom, so I was always looking for resources that will help me, and that’s definitely one of them.  And it was taught by a nurse. You could just do one chapter at a time. 

Help baby Madison’s mom win a wall portrait from her Newborn Photoshoot!

Hey friends – can you help Shayla win a wall portrait from Baby Madison’s photoshoot?  Just scroll down and leave a kind comment below.  Thank you!

If you could tell and about to be first-time mom anything, what would it be?

To ask questions and to advocate for herself. Because what I found out is the providers they are not forthcoming. And it could be a lot of things that could be that they’re just overwhelmed. You know, the demand is overwhelming, and there’s not enough resources to meet the supply. I was a little disappointed in the care that I received during delivery. So my prenatal was great. So just always ask questions and advocate for yourself, because there’s a lot of unknowns. And sometimes we just don’t even know what questions to ask. Current mothers, mothers who had kids had babies and have been through this act, they are great resources, I got a lot of information from them. Just being an older mom, most of my friends, pretty much all of them have kids who are either adolescent or college-bound. So they were very helpful. They relieved a lot of my anxiety.  And just be kind to yourself, enjoy the process.  I’m a perfectionist. I like to be in control and it just really humbled me and let me know I’m not in control anymore.