TAKING PICTURES OF YOUR BABY – A HARMLESS HOBBY OR AN OBSSESSION?
Babies grow so fast that it is perfectly natural for every parent to want to capture those moments when they are smallest and most fragile. Photography is more accessible than ever but before we take on the smart phone/camera, we need to think if taking pictures really is harmless for the newborn.
From a medical point of view, there is open debate on whether the camera flash is harmful to the baby’s eyes. You cannot deny that it is extremely irritating to the eyes, especially if you are taking the photo up-close. So if you do use a flash, it is advisable to be at least a meter away from the baby when you are taking the picture.
An interesting fact is that some eye diseases in babies can be easily diagnosed through looking at the baby’s pictures. Strabismus (squint eye) is usually first noticed by parents when they look at their baby’s photos. Fortunately, up to about 4 months of age, it is normal for the baby to cross it’s eyes a bit from time to time.
Take pictures of your baby with enthusiasm (and measure) in order to enjoy beautiful memories in the future!