What to Include In Your Child’s Baby Book
If there’s one thing I’m good at when it comes to projects, it’s procrastination. The level to which I will procrastinate specific tasks is unbelievable. For example, when I was younger, I would wait months beyond my registration expiring to finally get my tag renewed. Similarly, I got married all the way back in September, and I have yet to update my Notary stamp with my new last name. Putting together my daughter’s baby book has been no different, unfortunately. I bought her blank baby book well before she was born and started to answer some of the prompts within the book, but then put it down for years. However, I have been gathering photos and keeping track of important milestones in the meantime as a part of my intention to get back to putting it together.
My own baby book, made in the ‘90s, was pretty simple, short, and straight to the point. A few old pictures, a piece of my umbilical cord (gross), and a brief overview of what the world was like back then. For example, one of the current events of 1991-1992 that was mentioned in my baby book was Hurricane Andrew in South Florida. Keeping my baby book in mind, I knew I wanted something similar but more modern and elaborate. Like anyone who was born before the dawn of smartphones, I don’t have a lot of pictures or videos from my babyhood to look back on, and I wanted my daughter to see just how well-documented her babyhood has been.
If you’re also struggling with making a baby book for your child, don’t feel like you have to get it done all at once. It’s a years-long process, and time does have to pass in order for it to be completed.
If you’re not sure what should be included, here are some things that I plan to include in my daughter’s baby book:
A picture of the positive pregnancy test. Some people will go as far as including the actual pregnancy test (gross), but I don’t think that’s necessary. A simple and clear picture of the test(s) will be enough.
Ultrasound photos are a must. Make copies of all your ultrasound photos, and be sure to include them in the book. The amount of growth that happens between ultrasounds is incredible and worth commemorating.
Pictures of your pregnancy announcement. If you had a party to announce your pregnancy, it would be a great idea to include pictures from that event. But even if you just announced the pregnancy on Facebook or Instagram, take a screenshot of that post and put it in the baby book. That moment of letting everyone know of your child’s existence is unforgettable.
Maternity photos. Don’t think that you have to have professional photos in order to include them in your child’s baby book. One of my best friends and I went to Harry P. Leu Gardens when I was 37 weeks pregnant, and the photos came out spectacularly. You can do the same with one of your friends, your partner, or a family member.
Write a little bit (or a lot) about your birth story. Depending on how grisly the birth of your child was, you may decide to include or exclude certain details, but I believe it’s important for a child to know a little bit about how they came into this world no matter how it happened.
Include important milestones. I have a running list of my child’s milestones in my Notes app on my phone, where I keep track of firsts that I believe are important. Here are some of the milestones I’ve included:
The day my daughter started fully walking (more than just a few steps at a time).
The first time my daughter laughed.
When my daughter started consistently holding her head up without any assistance.
When she first started sprouting teeth.
When she started sitting up on her own.
When she started crawling.
When she started babbling.
When she started making sounds that resembled words.
The first time she clapped her hands.
First time going to a pumpkin patch.
Very last time breastfeeding.
The first time she counted to 10 on her own.
Very first day of daycare.
The first time peeing and pooping in the potty (and every occasion thereafter since we are still potty training at the moment).
The first time my daughter was able to stand on her own without assistance.
These are just a few ideas, but you can include anything at all about your child’s babyhood that you think is memorable. I still keep track of my daughter’s firsts to this day, even though “firsts” come along less often now that she’s older.
Personal notes to your child. In my daughter’s baby book, my husband and I both left little notes in there (and will probably add a few more down the road) such as, “To my sweet, wild daughter. Love you so much.”
Gender reveal photos or whatever evidence you were given to show your child’s biological sex. I didn’t have a gender reveal, but if you did, these photos would be great to include in your child’s baby book. If you didn’t have a gender reveal, you can include photos or screenshots of your medical paperwork showing whether your child is male or female.
Photos, photos, and more photos. This one is obvious but still worth mentioning. Here are some photos you must include:
“Fresh-out-of-the-womb” photos. That very first moment right after your child is born, someone is typically there taking a photo while they’re still bloody and gross-looking. You’re going to want to include this in the book.
The first time you and your spouse held your baby.
A picture of your baby wearing their very first outfit.
The first time you fed your baby.
A picture leaving the hospital.
Arriving home with baby for the first time.
A picture every single month thereafter to track growth.
Depending on how far into the future your baby book goes, you may need to print photos well into your child’s early school years. My daughter’s baby book runs until she turns 5 years old. That’s why I said don’t try to get it all done at once, and time has to go by for you to finish the book.
Small mementos. These could include a lock of hair, a baby tooth, or a small baby toy.
A list of your child’s favorites. Favorite foods, favorite toys, favorite activities, favorite movies, books, color, etc.
Current events and popular figures of the time. Include a little tidbit about what’s currently happening in the world. This could include politics, pop culture, natural disasters, the price of common goods and services, or anything else you think is important.
The options are limitless when it comes to how you can personalize your child’s baby book. I would just say take your time, be thorough, and cherish the time you’re spending making it.
XOXO, Alexis.