Do you have a favorite way to capture photos throughout your baby’s first year? There are so many fun DIY options and props you can use for monthly milestone pictures. As a very busy mom of four, I have learned that I never can find the time to do a shoot every month. That’s why this year I decided to give a DIY milk bath photoshoot a try.
DIY Baby Lemon Milk Bath Photography
Easy Prep
I’ve seen baby milk baths photos online, and always thought they turned out so beautifully so I knew I wanted to try my own with my last baby. One of the most appealing things about this project is that it didn’t require much prep, and I pretty much had everything I needed around my home already. Since your baby will be in a bathtub, you don’t even have to worry about a cute outfit! Here is what you’ll need:
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baby bathtub: I recommend a white one like this
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white sheets
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real or artificial flowers and greenery
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lemons or fruit of your choice
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headband
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warm water
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milk
I’ve seen many other milk bath photo shoots done with light pink rose petals, which I also love. However, I wanted to try something different and I’ve always called Rumi my “sunshine kid”. She is such a ray of light, so highlighting shades of yellow seemed appropriate for this shoot! I also added in some oranges and grapefruit.
The Process
From start to finish, you can do a DIY baby milk bath photo shoot in less than 30 minutes.
Start by putting the bathtub in an area that has enough space to spread the sheet out. I chose to have the shoot in our bathroom because it’s a clutter-free zone and has light tile floors. Be sure to choose a room with a lot of natural light and minimal artificial light.
Next, drape the white sheet over the bathtub and onto the floor. You can also use a sheer fabric sheet in your milk bath shoot for a slightly different effect.
Then, spread the lemons and any florals you have around the tub. For this photoshoot, you can use either fake or real flowers, but I would not recommend both at the same time.
After you have the items arranged the way you want them, it’s time to fill up the tub. Use warm water mixed with milk. I filled it just enough to come up to my baby’s waist so she could sit comfortably. The amount of milk you use will depend on the opacity you like the most. Start little by little, mixing as you go.
Let the milk sit for a bit so it’s not too cold. Once your baby is in the tub, you can add some lemons that have been cut into round slices.
Disclaimer:
I recommend adding the lemons after your baby is in the tub rather than before. Lemons are high in acidity, so you don’t want your child soaking in the lemon for too long.
The last step is to take your pictures. Don’t forget to either set a self-timer or have a family member jump in and get some shots of you with your baby.
Not only is this project perfect for photos, but it also acts as a sensory activity for your baby. Rumi loved splashing in the milk and feeling the lemons and leaves. Another added bonus is that the milk is good for your baby’s skin.
How To Make A Milk Bath For Photography Without Milk?
If you are vegan or have a unique allergy to milk, you can still perform this type of photoshoot. If that is the case, you will need to consider another method of getting that milky look.
If you would rather not use real milk for this project, there are some other photo tips I found online.
- Use a non-dairy milk, such as almond or soy.
- Use a dairy-free creamer. Some parents found that non-dairy milk didn’t quite give them the opacity they were looking for, which makes a thick creamer a good substitute.
- Use a white colored, non-toxic bath bomb. Or create your own and let it dissolve.
To see the process in action, you can take a look at this video.
Have you ever tried a milk bath for your baby? For more milestone photo ideas, check out this post! And if you’re expecting, try this DIY milk bath maternity shoot!
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