These ideas will help you create beautiful keepsakes to cherish forever
1. Watch them grow
One delightful way to track your baby's growth and development is by photographing them on the same day each month, in the same spot. You can lay your baby down on the bed next to a small chalkboard or a sign that displays their age. You could even position the same teddy bear next to them each time. This will create a lovely record of their progress over the first year.
Another idea is to take a daily photo or video of your baby. Then use an app like 1 Second Everyday Video Diary to create a fascinating (and emotional) time-lapse compilation of your baby's development. This way, you can watch your baby grow right before your eyes!
2. Make a memory box
Collect special items from your baby’s first year and store them safely in a keepsake box. You can start by including congratulations cards from the day of their birth, their hospital bracelet and their first tiny bodysuit. Later, you can add items like their first pair of shoes, a lock of hair from their first haircut, and tickets from memorable family outings. Find suitable storage boxes here.
3. Create a milestone video
To capture baby’s achievements, take plenty of photos and videos (we know you don’t need this reminder!). Involve your family, friends, and partner in recording milestones so you can be in some of the pictures too! Afterwards, you can download an app that will merge the clips of your baby's first smiles, giggles, unsteady steps, and tentative tastes of solid food. Some popular apps for iOS are Filmr and iMovie, while VivaVideo and Yo are popular for Android (check reviews and any charges before downloading). Your film may not win an Oscar, but it will warm the hearts of your entire family!
4. Take prints of their hands and feet
So, your little one's artwork might not be gallery-worthy yet, but paint-prints of their little hands and feet will be precious reminders of how tiny they once were. Use non-toxic, washable paint and thick paper. Don’t worry if your wriggly baby means the prints aren’t perfect. Keep the result with the rest of your keepsakes or put the print in a pretty frame and hang it in pride of place.
5. Start a baby journal
Reflecting on your written memories can be a delightful reminder of your baby’s early months. You don't necessarily need a conventional diary with pre-printed dates. A simple notebook will work just as well, particularly if you don't have time to write something daily. During the challenging newborn phase, you may not get a chance to write anything at all except for some brief notes, but they’ll help you recall the details later. Alternatively, treat yourself to a baby's first-year journal, which will encourage you to write down the details of your baby's first outings first words, and other significant milestones.
6. Capture memories with Instagram
Social media is another way to document your baby's development in the first year. Instagram is a great platform to showcase your baby's changes as they happen – you could create a private account exclusively for close friends and family members. Your posts, reels, and stories will then serve as a cute online record that you can look back on in the future.
7. Make a photo book
Lastly, put all those pics you’ve taken to good use by treating yourself to a photo book of memories. Asda Photo will create a gorgeous book from the baby photos you upload. If you have enough pics – and let’s face it, you probably will – you might even want to create one book for each month of your baby’s first year. If you’re feeling adventurous you can also turn your favourite baby pics into calendars, fridge magnets, mugs and even cushions!
And finally…
With a newborn to care for, you may not have the time to try out these ideas, but please don’t feel guilty about it! You’ll still have hundreds of adorable pics to look back on in the years to come – not to mention those precious core memories of your baby’s firsts.
