I get a lot of questions about tips for a successful cake smash. Everyone wants their baby to enjoy the cake and get a little messy! While not every baby will enjoy it as much as the next there are some things you can do to help make it fun and less stressful for your little one.
CAKE SMASH TIPS
Get your baby a cupcake to eat a week or two before your session.
Many times little ones are confused as to what the cake is. If you give them a cupcake they have a better idea that it’s food and are less concerned by the textures of the frosting and cake.
Let them get a little messy and play with some frosting.
My baker generally uses buttercream frosting, chocolate, & homemade fondant for her cakes. Slightly chilled is best. Once again this helps familiarize them with the texture.
Bring a favorite toy to their session
Something you can shake behind the camera or if they need a break something they can play with for a minute. I don’t recommend soft toys as they can get dirty.
Bring along a preferred snack
Something like puffs, goldfish or cheerios that can be hidden in the frosting on the back of the cake. This helps to encourage them to eat the cake or at least makes it look like they are.
Bring water or another drink along.
All that cake can make them thirsty!
Bring 1-2 outfits for pictures and another to change into once we are done.
I also provide bags to put messy clothes in.
If you are doing the bubble bath add on bring along an outfit for that or swim diaper.
They can be naked if you want but sometimes they move too much and we don’t want anything showing that shouldn’t.
Note - I always have wipes on hand to help with clean up and a towel if they are doing the bubble bath after.
SPECIAL NOTES
Some babies with sensitive skin will get red spots where the icing touches. It’s generally not due to an allergy. This usually goes away later that day or by the next morning. A bath at home helps too.
If you are getting a cake with darker colors it can dye your little ones skin some. It’s not harmful but your little one could be tinted for a few days.
I try to avoid mostly brown, black & red cakes because it doesn’t look appealing in photographs. Sometimes we make exceptions though for the perfect design.
If your little one has any allergies please let me know. My baker does use milk, eggs, & almond extract in her cakes. She also uses peanut butter in the same baking space but not in my smash cakes. If your little one has an allergy I can recommend the bakers that specialize in that.
