A heartwarming video of a newborn baby snuggled with a tiny kitten has taken the internet by storm, melting hearts across social media. The clip, captured by Milwaukee-based photographers Erin and Theresa Rouse of Hello Little Photography, has amassed over 2.9 million views, 52,000 shares, and 27,000 likes on Facebook in just two weeks.
A Serendipitous Moment
The Rouses, who specialize in newborn photography, hadn’t planned for their impromptu shoot to go viral. While visiting family in Texas, they decided to photograph their cousin’s three-week-old baby, Lainey, using only their smartphones and natural light.
“It was a complete fluke,” Erin told OnMilwaukee.com. “We were in my parents’ dining room, totally unprepared for a full shoot.”
Adding to the spontaneity, Erin’s mother had rescued the kitten—later named Eleven—just a day earlier after finding it abandoned on the roadside. The tiny feline was bottle-fed and unusually calm, making it the perfect (if unexpected) co-star.
From Frustration to Viral Fame
Initially, baby Lainey was fussy, making the session challenging. “We decided to give her a break and tried posing the kitten instead,” Theresa explained. “One thing led to another, and we ended up swaddling them together.”
The resulting video, showing the peacefully sleeping baby and kitten nestled side by side, was an instant hit. “We never expected this reaction,” Theresa admitted. “We’re not social media experts, so the response has been surreal.”
A Warning Against DIY Attempts
Despite the shoot’s success, the photographers caution against recreating the scene without professional expertise.
“This kitten was only a few weeks old, milk-drunk, and very docile,” Erin emphasized. “Newborn photography requires specialized training—safety is paramount.”
Since the viral shoot, Eleven—the couple’s 11th pet—has grown significantly in size and energy. Meanwhile, the Rouses continue to cherish the unexpected joy their accidental masterpiece has brought to millions.
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