So few newborn photos

[Lils25]

Hi everyone,
My daughter is 6 weeks old and I only recently realised that I only took a few photos of her in the first few days of her life. Other than the hospital ones where you can't really see her face, there are none of me holding her and none of my partner until about day 3. I remember when we got home thinking that I wanted to do some 'professional' type photos myself but I regret this so much as it's those everyday moments and her little face that I realise are way more important. I can never have that time again. I was so happy in that newborn bubble and spent the early days sat on the sofa cuddling my daughter. I have no idea what I was thinking not taking photos. I usually take loads. I can't seem to let it go and have been crying every day.
There's nothing anyone can say to make me feel any better really. Just wanted to get this all down. I'm so sad and angry with myself and I can't stop thinking about it.

I’m so sorry you’re feeling so down about this. I know nothing can make you feel better but the reason you didn’t take pictures is because you were so busy soaking up your baby and being immersed in motherhood for the first time. You were being truly present which we often aren’t these days. the actual time you spent bonding and the memories you have are more important than the pictures.

I had a massive wobble like this with my first. So much so that my poor DH had his phone out taking pictures every 5 minutes with the second! I say this gently... you really haven't missed much. It feels like forever at the time, but 6 weeks is nothing at all. Have you got milestone cards? You're not too late to start those. They change so much over the first couple of years - start taking more pictures now and this will feel like a non issue in future.

Other practical things to do - have you got a baby book? Make sure you write down all of the details you remember on birth etc - it's amazing how quickly you forget in the haze of sleep deprivation. Can you find an hour to write a journal detailing how you're feeling, your memories of the first weeks, what you liked doing and all of the best bits (newborn squeaks, those frog legs, the cuddles!). Or you could get one of those one line a day diaries.

This sounds an extreme reaction. I lost my pics of newborn DD when I accidentally washed my phone. Idiot!! But I didn’t have this reaction. Is there any chance you’re suffering PND?

Has anyone else taken pictures eg. Grandparents, your siblings etc. Sometimes when l have forgotten to take pictures my dsis has managed to get a few as she is always taking pictures.

I've hardly got any of the first few days either. I was exhausted and emotional and in pain and I just had other priorities. They really are not that different by day 3, maybe just a bit less puffy. I'm sure you've got lots of lovely newborn photos even if you needed a quiet few days to recover before you were ready to get into photographer mode. You soaked up that lovely little newborn bubble in the moment without disappearing behind your phone every 5 minutes to look at her through a screen. I'm not sure you've got this as wrong as you think you have.

Congratulations on your lovely baby. Hope you feel better soon.

She's six weeks old. She's still a newborn.

It is much better that you spent that time cuddling and loving her rather than putting her in a flowerpot or whatever.

Now I know you are feeling weepy and down but speaking to you as a mother here.

Get a grip lovely! You have memories and these are far more important than bloody photos.

However that said get your dh plus others to now take loads., enjoy this time. X

Hi @Lils25 i'm exactly the same, i only have a few photos as i was going through alot of problems with my husband. The stress i was under was really bad. I still think back and get upset that i hardly have any photos.
Now i take photos everyday. The only thing that makes me feel slightly better is back in the day there were no phones and my parents had to rely on a camera and have the roll printed!

I hardly have any either. My DC was born in lockdown when no visitors, not even my DH baby’s dad was allowed in so I only have one photo of DD before DH had to leave. I then had to stay in for two nights and I was so upset after a shocking birth, got no sleep, didn’t get to have a shower whilst there so sat in dried blood the whole time and no DH to help with baby or me that I spent most of the time crying and didn’t take photos.

9 years on I’m still cross that there were literally no photos of me and baby at the hospital- no lovely photo of me looking tired but happy with newborn, nothing. And DH prides himself on taking great photos!! It happened with DC no.2 as well, even after we discussed it in detail beforehand. I think we probably both were overwhelmed with the moment but it still makes me sad. Take lots of photos now, congratulations on your baby, there are so many more beautiful moments to come Xx

Thanks so much everyone. I think I just put myself under pressure to make everything perfect and capture every moment when actually, I was really happy sat on the sofa having cuddles all day, just looking at her. I'm so blessed and thankful that she's here, she's healthy and we get to enjoy this time together.

@smileladiesplease You are right - I do need to get a grip! Thank you. I needed to hear that!

So sorry you lost your photos. That must be awful. I know, I wouldn't usually react in this way and there have been a few other signs of PND. After a miscarriage and fertility issues following that, the last 18 months have been an emotional rollercoaster, full of anxiety. I think perhaps I am still processing this all now.

Op

In the kindest way xxx

You have captured the moments in your head xx