How to get ready for a Cake Smash session

10/22/20235 min read

How to Prepare Your Baby for Their First Cake Smash Session

Your baby's first cake smash is a fun milestone that captures their growing personality and sense of adventure. These sessions are a delightful and memorable way to celebrate your child's milestone and create lasting memories. However, preparing for this fun and messy adventure requires some thought and planning. To make this session a joyful experience, proper preparation is key! Here’s a complete guide to help you get ready for your little one’s big day.

When to book your session

I recommend planning your baby’s cake smash session about 2-3 months before their first birthday. This allows plenty of time for us to design a session that perfectly reflects your vision. Creating personalized setups takes approximately 3-4 weeks, as every detail is thoughtfully crafted to match your theme and preferences. Scheduling the session a few weeks before your baby turns one also ensures we have time to capture these precious memories and deliver them in time for any birthday celebrations or keepsakes you have planned.

What is included?

I supply all decorations on the set for the session! The cake, outfit are supplied by the parents. I can help parents to select the outfit for the baby if parents request.

Choose the Perfect Theme and Outfit

Picking a theme creates a cohesive and visually appealing session. Think about what reflects your baby's personality or your family’s style, it could be based on your child's favorite colors, a specific character, or a more general theme like "classic" or "vintage, whimsical, rustic, or minimalistic. Once the theme is set, select an outfit that complements the color palette. Consider a cute onesie, tutu, suspenders, rompers or overalls. Make sure the outfit is easy to put on and take off, as well as easy to clean.

Pick the Right Cake

The cake is the star of the show, so choose wisely. Choose a small, soft cake with decorations that fit your chosen theme. Due to possible allergies I don't supply the cake but I have a baker I can refer the parents if needed.

Size: A 6-inch cake is perfect for little hands to explore.
Design: Avoid bold or artificial colors that might stain or overwhelm. Pastels and neutrals photograph beautifully.
Texture: Soft, light frosting like whipped cream or buttercream is ideal for easy smashing.

If your baby has any allergies, don’t worry! I offer creative alternatives like Taco Smash, Spaghetti Smash, Pancake Smash, or Watermelon Smash, all tailored to create a fun and safe experience.

Prepare Your Child:

Most kids are used to being given small pieces of things to eat, and sitting in a highchair for meals. Being presented with an entire cake and being expected to eat on the floor can feel unfamiliar and overwhelming! To reduce the element of surprise, introduce your child to cake before the session. A small practice cake smash at home can help them get comfortable with the idea and even excited about the big day.

Remember to relax and enjoy the experience. Let your child take the lead and explore the cake at their own pace. This session is all about capturing their natural joy and curiosity. Cake smash sessions are meant to be messy, and that's what makes them so much fun!. Don't worry about any of the mess that is made. I will clean it up after the session.

Timing is Everything:

Schedule the session when your baby is happiest—often mid-morning typically after a nap and a meal. A well-rested and fed baby is more likely to be in a good mood and ready to dive into the cake, a cranky or overtired baby may not engage as much. Ensure they’ve had a light meal before the session but avoid overfeeding. A slightly hungry baby is more likely to dive into the cake.

Bring along a few must-haves to ensure the session runs smoothly

A change of clothes (for both baby and parents!).
Diapers, wipes and a towel for quick cleanups.
Baby’s favorite toy or blanket to help comfort your child during the session.
Baby's favorite snacks (think cheerios or puffs) in case they don’t like the cake. We sometimes have to hide them in the cake to make it look like your little one is actually eating the cake. Nobody will know the difference!
Sippy cup to help wash down the cake
A backup outfit in case of a cake mishap.
If you suspect that your baby might be teething (a common occurrence at this age), you may want to consider administering a pain reliever about 30 minutes prior to the session.
Dry Towel and bath soap of your choice.

Time and Duration

Cake smash sessions are intentionally short, typically lasting no more than 45 minutes. This ensures your baby stays engaged without becoming overwhelmed or tired. I typically begin with a brief 5-minute photo session before introducing the cake. The actual cake smashing takes around 20 minutes, but this duration can vary based on the baby's level of interest and activity. If your baby is especially active, be prepared for be ready for some playful chasing. Once your little one starts to lose interest or we’ve captured all the key shots, we’ll reserve an extra 10 minutes for cleanup and bath time. Please note that sessions are booked consecutively, and I stick firmly to the one-hour timeframe. To make the most of your session, it’s important to ensure your baby arrives in a happy and well-rested mood. We’ll capture the cake smash, cleanup shots (like a bubble bath), and some adorable portraits, all within this timeframe.

Parent and Sibling Inclusion

We encourage parents and siblings to join in on the fun. Our sessions often include family shots, creating a heartwarming connection between the new arrival and their loved ones. Please wear clothing that can get dirty. I can guarantee that your child will crawl over to you with cake-filled hands at least once during the session. You can bring a change of clothes if you have plans after the shoot.

Things to think about•

• Remaining balance is due at the session

Final recommendations for Parents

It’s important to stay calm and positive during the session, as babies are very intuitive and can sense your emotions. A relaxed, cheerful atmosphere helps them feel more comfortable and engaged. Be open to the experience—while some babies dive right into smashing the cake, others might prefer to poke, taste, or simply explore in their own way. That’s completely okay! Every baby is unique, and even the happiest little ones can have an “off day.” Some babies might not like cake, getting messy, or being in a new environment. Some babies don’t like new people and can get overwhelmed in my studio. Knowing that tiny humans have an array of reactions when working with them, I can assure you that I will try my very best to make them feel comfortable and take extra time with them to get to know me if I need to. Remember, this session is about celebrating their individuality at this stage in life. Relax, trust the process, and let’s embrace whatever moments unfold—we’re here to capture their personality exactly as it is!

Ready to plan your little one’s cake smash? Let’s create unforgettable memories together!!