How to Record Your Baby’s First Year
A baby’s first year is full of significant milestones and moments you’ll want to cherish. However, kids grow up so fast that those memories can get a little blurry over time, especially when you have more than one child. Therefore, if you want to look back fondly on those special firsts, you’ll need to document them in a way that lasts. Here are some tips to help you record that all-important first year of life.
Take Lots of Photos
During your baby’s first year, you’ll probably take loads of photos, but it’s important to label them by date and occasion. You may also wish to record your thoughts and feelings at the time the photos were taken – don’t assume you’ll remember! It’s a good idea always to have your phone or camera handy, so you don’t miss especially memorable moments like your baby’s first smile, first steps and their first taste of solid food. Most people take photos on their phones or tablets and then have them printed. Whatever you do, try to do something with those images now before time gets away from you, rather than leaving them sitting on your computer.
Scrapbook, Journal, or App?
The most traditional way to record your baby’s first year is with a photo book, but these days there are plenty of other options to choose from. If you’re particularly creative, you might want to make a scrapbook or journal. If you’re short on time, however, you may prefer to use a photo album or app instead. Choose whichever method works for you and set aside time each day to log your child’s development. You’ll be glad you did when they’re all grown up!
If you’ve created a digital keepsake, you’ll need to back it up on an external hard drive, and you may also want to upload it to the Cloud. You can always encrypt or password-protect your images if you’re worried about privacy.
Preserve the Memories
If you create a journal or photo album for your kids, you might want to consider having it professionally bound so that it lasts for generations. Bookbinding will allow your memory book to survive wear and tear and helps protect against water damage. You can even emboss your cover with gold, silver and other colors for a timeless look. For affordable, bespoke bookbinding, research online to find suitable bookbinding services.
Think Outside the Box
You don’t even have to use photos if you don’t want to. You could write letters to your child for them to read when they’re older, or perhaps create a YouTube channel with videos of their day-to-day accomplishments. You can also use social media platforms or a blog to share your baby’s milestones with friends and family. If you do this, make sure you back up all your photos, as you never know when websites could go down and images could be lost. A memory box is another lovely way to compile keepsakes like first shoes, hospital wristbands and locks from your baby’s first haircut.
Your baby’s first year will be full of important milestones, happy memories, and some surprises, so recording it and keeping it safe is especially important. Create a lifelong memento you can look back on together when they’re grown, ensuring you never forget those all-important firsts.