How to Announce a New Baby When You Have a Dog | My Adorable Pup
Your dog was the first one. The original baby of the household, the one who broke you into the whole "responsible for another living creature" thing, the one who made you realize you had more love to give than you thought. And now there's a new member joining the pack.
Here's how to include your dog in the baby announcement — and make it the most-shared photo in your family's history.
Why Dog Baby Announcements Work So Well
Dog baby announcements go viral constantly, and it's not hard to understand why. A dog sitting patiently with a "Big Brother" or "Big Sister" bandana, looking directly at the camera with their whole face saying "I did not agree to this but I am choosing joy" — it's irresistible. The combination of a new baby's innocence and a dog's honest, expressive face creates a photo that hits every emotion at once.
More practically: it's also a way to include your dog in a milestone that will change their life too. A little acknowledgment goes a long way.
The Big Brother / Big Sister Announcement
What you need: A "Big Brother" or "Big Sister" bandana, good natural light, and a reasonably cooperative dog.
How to photograph it: The most impactful composition is usually a close-up portrait — your dog wearing the bandana, looking directly at or slightly past the camera. A clean, neutral background makes the bandana text readable and keeps the focus on the dog's face. If your dog is particularly patient, holding a small sign or sitting next to the ultrasound photo adds another layer.
Our Big Brother and Big Sister bandanas were made exactly for this photo. The text is clear and readable in photos, the fabric is soft enough that even an impatient dog will tolerate it for the few minutes you need.
The "Pack Is Growing" Announcement
If you have multiple dogs, you can set up the whole hierarchy: Big Brother on the oldest dog, Big Sister on the second, and then the announcement text in the photo caption or on a small prop sign. Multi-dog households tend to produce the most chaotic and most beloved versions of this announcement.
Timing the Reveal
The announcement photo works at two different moments:
Pregnancy announcement: Dog wears "Big Brother" or "Big Sister" bandana, photo is shared to reveal the pregnancy. The bandana is your reveal.
After birth: Dog meets the new baby for the first time wearing the bandana — or the baby comes home in a "Little Brother" or "Little Sister" onesie, and the photo captures the first meeting. The My First Best Friend onesie is specifically made for this second scenario: a soft baby onesie that celebrates the moment a dog and a baby meet for the first time.
Baby Shower Gift Idea
If you're looking for a baby shower gift for a dog-loving family expecting a new baby, the Big Brother or Big Sister bandana paired with the My First Best Friend onesie is the most thoughtful combination you'll find anywhere — and it tells a story about who this family is from the very first day.
A Few Tips for the Photo
Use treats strategically. Have someone hold a treat just above the camera lens to get your dog looking at the right spot with their ears forward. Take more photos than you think you need — dog photography is a numbers game.
Natural light only. Avoid flash — dogs' eyes reflect poorly and it flattens the warmth of the moment. A bright window on a cloudy day gives the most even, flattering light.
Don't force the mood. Some of the best dog announcement photos happen when the dog looks completely unbothered, slightly confused, or deeply unimpressed. That's part of the charm.
Welcoming a New Human to the Pack
Whether your dog becomes a doting big sibling or a mildly suspicious one, the arrival of a new baby is a chapter in your story together. Dogs and babies who grow up together tend to become inseparable — and someday your kid will look back at these announcement photos and love that the dog was part of it from the very first moment.
Every purchase helps shelter pups through volunteer hours, rescue support, and profit donations. Every bandana, every onesie, every little piece of this story gives back.
🐾 Written for dog lovers, by dog lovers.