What Is a Good Gift for Someone Who Has Just Had a Baby? 10 Gift Ideas for New Parents

Parents holding their newborn during a professional newborn photoshoot

Looking for a gift for someone who has just had a baby? Finding something that feels genuinely special and different to what everyone else is getting can be tricky. New parents tend to receive lots of tiny clothes, teddies and baby essentials. And these are great gifts as they are all needed, but if you are looking for something a little different – read on!

Thinking back to when I was a new mum myself, my favourite presents were those that weren’t just something I need for the baby, but something that I can also enjoy. In general, I think most new parents would agree that the best gifts are those that make life a little easier, give them time to themselves or help them preserve the memories of this new and fleeting chapter.

If you’re looking for thoughtful new baby gift ideas in Ireland, here are ten suggestions that go beyond the usual babygrow (even if I do love browsing Next’s absolutely cutest baby clothes!)

1. A professional newborn photography gift voucher

One of the most meaningful gifts you can give a new family is the opportunity to preserve those early days with professional photographs.

The newborn stage passes incredibly quickly. One minute you’re bringing home a tiny baby who fits in the crook of your arm, and before you know it, they’re stretching, smiling and becoming more alert to the world around them.

Professional newborn photographs capture all those little details you might otherwise forget: their tiny fingers and toes, their sleepy expressions, the way they curl up against you and the first photographs of your family together.

A newborn photography gift voucher is particularly lovely because it gives parents something to look forward to once they’re home and beginning to settle into life with their new arrival. Plus it’s something that everyone can enjoy together, even older siblings if there is some.

At Pitter Patter Studios in Meath, newborn sessions are relaxed, baby-led and never rushed. There’s plenty of time for feeding, cuddles and breaks, and there’s no expectation that your baby must sleep throughout the session. Family and sibling photographs are included too in all packages, so parents will get beautiful family and sibling photos as well as baby on their own.

Why it’s such a special gift: Rather than giving another item that might be quickly outgrown, you’re giving a family photographs they can enjoy for years to come.

If you’re considering a photography voucher, it’s worth checking the photographer’s location and what the voucher includes and if there is an expiry date.

Vouchers at Pitter Patter Studios can be for a set amount or to the value of one of my packages. I offer physical and digital vouchers. I’m also flexible regarding timing/ using the voucher so don’t worry if the family you are buying for don’t end up being ready for a newborn shoot.  The value will be transferred to whatever time they do feel ready, whether that is when baby is 6 months or turning a year old!

If you’d like to purchase a Pitter Patter Studios gift voucher, they can be purchased in €50 increments via stripe. If you’d like a different amount or want to pay by a different channel, please get in touch to order your voucher.

2. A food delivery  voucher

Those first few weeks with a newborn can be wonderful, exhausting and overwhelming all at once. Between feeding, changing, cuddling and trying to catch up on sleep, preparing meals can become the last thing on a new parent’s mind.

A voucher for a local takeaway, a meal delivery service or a company that provides prepared meals can be a genuinely practical gift. You could even organise a few meals between friends or family members so the parents have one less thing to think about.

3. Hand and/or Foot Imprint or 3D Print

When I had my first baby, my lovely colleagues at work gave me a voucher for a hand and foot imprint of my baby. I loved it and I ended up booking it for my other 2 children and having it done at the exact same age for them all. They are all hanging side by side on the wall in my kitchen.

Since then, casting has become a lot more popular and you can get full casts of the little babies hands or feet now. This is another wonderful way of preserving the tininess of the baby and creating lasting memories and giving the family something that will last forever.

4. A gift for the new mum herself

When a baby arrives, much of the attention naturally turns towards the little one. But the new mum has been through carrying a baby for 9 months, giving birth and is probably going through a whirlwind of emotions right now.

Consider a voucher for a spa day, a beauty treatment, a hair appointment or a relaxing afternoon out with friends when she’s ready. You could also put together a small care package with her favourite snacks, a lovely hand cream, comfortable socks and a few treats she wouldn’t necessarily buy for herself.

The important thing is to choose something that suits her rather than assuming every new mum wants the same kind of pampering.

5. A personalised keepsake

If you’re looking for something sentimental, a personalised present can be a lovely choice. Ideas include a personalised baby blanket or jumper, a piece of jewellery engraved with the baby’s initials or a special keepsake box for storing little mementoes.

I personally received keepsake boxes as gifts when all three of my children were born.  To this day, my children love taking it down and looking through all the special memories it holds.

6. A voucher for a baby massage class or parent-and-baby activity

Depending on the parents’ interests and how they’re feeling after the birth, you could consider a baby massage class, a sensory class or a parent-and-baby yoga class. Check the timing and age requirements before buying, and choose something flexible so if mum doesn’t feel up to attending something right away, she still has options to use the voucher.

This is a particularly good gift if the new parents like getting out and doing things but aren’t the best organisers! You take the pressure of the organisation off them and give them an easy way of getting out of the house and meeting other new parents.

7. A Baby Journal

This gift isn’t for everyone, but for the right person, this can be a really lovely gift. For someone likely to be feeling over whelmed after the arrival of their newborn, this probably isn’t something that they would have time to do without it becoming stressful.

But for the parent who already likes to journal and to track everything, the journal is a really lovely way of doing this. The journal then becomes a treasured possession as time goes on, for them to look back on and remember all the details of this fleeting time.

8. Baby Album or Frame

I also received gifts of baby albums when my babies were born. As someone who has always had a passion for photography and preserving memories, this was a perfect gift for me. But again, it is a time investment for the new parents to print the photos & put them in the album or the frame so this gift is definitely best for someone you know who won’t mind the effort as they really appreciate having somewhere to keep the images.

9. Custom Art Piece

There are so many lovely small businesses out there at the moment creating pebble art and family trees and other lovely custom art pieces. This is a very unique and thoughtful gift and a lovely way to support local small Irish Businesses too. If you have the time (as they need to be custom made), this could make a very meaningful gift and is something that families can enjoy for years to come on their wall or mantelpiece.

10. Voucher for Parents

Another lovely idea is to get a voucher for the parents to do something together. Once the new baby arrives, it’s often very difficult for the parents to get any time to themselves. Gifting them something like a gift voucher for a meal in their favourite restaurant that they can use together when things calm down gives them something to look forward to and to keep date night on the calendar!

So, what is the best gift for someone who has just had a baby?

Ultimately, the best present depends on the parents and what would mean the most to them.

If they’re exhausted, a take away voucher might be exactly what they need. If they love sentimental gifts, a personalised keepsake could be perfect. And if you want to give them something that helps preserve this once-in-a-lifetime chapter, a professional photography gift voucher is a wonderful option.

The early days with a baby can feel long when you’re in the middle of them, but they pass remarkably quickly. Their little hands grow, their faces change and the newborn days gradually become a distant memory.

A photography voucher gives parents the opportunity to press pause for a little while, celebrate their growing family and create photographs they can look back on long after their baby has outgrown those tiny baby grows.

If you’re searching for a newborn photographer in Meath or the surrounding areas of Dublin, Kildare, Louth or Cavan, Pitter Patter Studios would love to help you celebrate this special time. You can check out my work on my portfolio page.

Thinking of giving the gift of memories? Get in touch with Pitter Patter Studios to ask about a photography gift voucher and find out how you can give a new family something truly meaningful.

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What If My Baby Won’t Sleep During a Newborn Photoshoot?

Awake newborn photo

If you are new here let me start my introducing myself. I’m Selina, a newborn and family photographer and owner of Pitter Patter Studios in Kilmessan, Co Meath.

I’ve found that one of the things that parents often worry about before booking a newborn photoshoot is: What if my baby won’t sleep during their newborn photoshoot?

And I know why they are worrying about that. Images from newborn photoshoots tend to give the illusion that the baby peacefully slept throughout the entire session and leaves you wondering what will happen if your little one decides they would rather be wide awake instead. Let me assure you that the truth is that very rarely does a newborn sleep for their entire session and that’s absolutely fine! I don’t expect them to.

For mums breastfeeding, I know another big worry is that baby has been feeding frequently, resisting naps or only settling when they’re in your arms, and the thought of getting them to sleep for a photoshoot feels like another thing to worry about.

If that sounds familiar, I want to reassure you: your baby does not have to sleep for me to create beautiful newborn photographs. And you won’t be expected to get them to sleep either, I look after all that. My newborn sessions are relaxed and baby-led. I work around your baby’s needs, rather than expecting your baby to work around a photography schedule.

So here’s what you need to know:

Does My Baby Need to Sleep During a Newborn Photoshoot?

Absolutely not!

While sleepy newborn photographs are beautiful, they are only one part of newborn photography. Some babies sleep for a lot of their session. Others spend more time looking around, stretching their little arms, making expressions or taking everything in with wide, curious eyes.

Both are completely fine. Your baby is a tiny person with their own needs and personality. They haven’t read a photography handbook, and they certainly don’t know that we might have hoped for a sleepy photograph! My job is to work with your baby as they are on the day, adapting the session to suit them.

Can You Take Beautiful Photos If My Baby Is Awake?

Yes! In fact, awake newborn photographs can be some of the most meaningful images in your gallery. Think about those tiny eyes looking up at you, the little expressions they make when they’re curious about the world, or the way their fingers curl around yours.

We can capture beautiful details such as:

  • Their tiny fingers and wrinkly toes.
  • Their little facial expressions and wide eyes.
  • The way they stretch, yawn and move.
  • Those quiet moments of connection when you’re holding your baby close.
  • The way your baby fits perfectly in your arms.

These are all little details that change so quickly during those first weeks.

And it’s not just about photographs of your baby on their own. I also capture lovely images of you holding your little one, along with family and sibling photographs. You don’t need a sleeping baby to capture the love and connection between you.

What Happens If My Baby Won’t Settle During the Session?

First of all, please don’t worry that you’re somehow doing something wrong. Newborns need feeding, changing, cuddling and comforting. Sometimes they settle quickly, and sometimes they need a little more time. That’s completely normal, and it’s why I never rush my newborn sessions.

If your baby becomes unsettled, we’ll pause and see what they need. That might mean a feed, a nappy change, a cuddle with mum or dad, or simply taking a little break. I can then try again when your baby is ready, change our approach or capture some awake photographs instead.

My sessions typically last around 1.5–2.5 hours, allowing plenty of time for your baby’s needs without the pressure of trying to fit everything into a short appointment. There is no expectation that your baby will sleep for the entire session, and no need to feel stressed if things don’t go exactly as you imagined.

Your baby’s comfort comes first. The photographs follow.

How Can I Prepare My Baby for a Newborn Photoshoot?

I never ask parents to change their routine just for a photoshoot but there there are a few simple things you can do to help the day feel as relaxed as possible.

1. Follow your baby’s usual feeding routine

Please don’t feel that you need to delay a feed or keep your baby hungry in the hope that they’ll sleep during the photoshoot. Bring whatever you need for feeding, and we’ll allow time for breaks whenever necessary. It is completely normal that your baby should need to feed during their session.

2. Don’t worry about keeping your baby awake beforehand

You might come across advice suggesting that you should keep your newborn awake before a session so they’ll be tired enough to sleep. I don’t ask my clients to do this. Newborns are still developing their sleep patterns, and trying to control them can leave both you and your baby feeling unsettled. Let your baby follow their usual needs.

3. Bring your usual baby essentials

Nappies, wipes, milk or feeding supplies, a soother if your baby takes one and a change of clothes are useful to have with you. You don’t need to bring lots of special items to make the session work. I usually advice my clients to dress the baby in a baby grow that opens easily and not put a vest on underneath so I can undress with minimal disruption when they arrive at the studio.

4. Give yourself permission to relax

I know that getting yourself and a newborn out of the house can feel like a huge undertaking, particularly when you’re tired and still recovering from birth. You don’t need to arrive with everything perfectly organised, and you certainly don’t need to apologise if your baby needs extra time. I’ll guide you through the session, and we’ll take things one step at a time.

What If My Baby Is Awake for the Whole Photoshoot?

Even if your baby stays awake for the whole session, we can still create a beautiful collection of photographs. We may focus more on your baby’s expressions, tiny details, natural movements and the connection between you. While your baby is awake is also a good time to get the family and sibling photos and to get images incorporating your hands into the image of the baby.

I will do everything I can to promote an environment where your baby will naturally fall asleep. For example, I have the room heated so that your baby will never be cold, even for beanbag photos when their clothes are removed. I use white noise for the duration of the session which prevents your baby reacting or being frighted by any sudden or loud noises. If your baby takes a soother, I can give it your baby until I get them settled. I use a newborn weighted blanket to help them feel secure.

Depending on how your baby is feeling, I can try positions that are most comfortable in and if they like been snug, often wrapping them can gently help them off to sleep.

Every baby is different, so I can’t promise exactly which photographs we’ll create on the day. What I can promise is that your baby won’t be expected to follow a rigid schedule just to achieve a particular pose. The aim is to capture your baby as they are at this fleeting stage of life, whether their eyes are closed or wide open.

A Final Reassurance for New Parents

Those first weeks with a new baby can be wonderful, exhausting, emotional and overwhelming, sometimes all in the same afternoon. The last thing I want is for you to worry about whether your baby will sleep during their newborn photoshoot.

You don’t need a perfectly sleepy baby, a strict routine or a day when everything goes to plan. You just need to bring your little one as they are.

At Pitter Patter Studios, I offer relaxed, baby-led newborn photography in Meath, taking the time to work around your baby and create photographs of those tiny details and precious connections you’ll want to remember.

Ready to find out more about newborn photography?

Explore my newborn photography portfolio to see examples of my work, or get in touch to chat about a session. I’d be delighted to help you plan a relaxed experience for you and your baby.

And if you’d like to check out some client galleries where the baby was awake for most of the session, check out these Instagram posts of Baby Hunter Lee and Baby Theo.

FAQ’s

What age is best for newborn photos? Ideally done within the first 2 weeks while baby is especially sleepy, tiny & able to curl up into those extra cute poses. If you’ve already missed this stage, don’t worry, we can still do a slightly adopted version of the session to suit baby’s age.

How long does a newborn photoshoot take? Depending on the package you choose, my newborn sessions typically range fro 1.5 – 2.5 hours, allowing plenty of time for feeding, cuddles and nappy changes.

How much does a newborn photoshoot cost? My newborn packages range from €447 to €797. My sessions are very relaxed and baby led. Each package comes with prints, as well as high resolution digital copies of the images. Sibling & family photos are included in all my packages. You can find out more about them on my newborn pricing page.

I also have a range of beautiful wall art, framed prints, canvas, wooden blocks etc. You can browse my product range here.



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