23 Ways to Document Your Baby's Life: Baby Journal Ideas
It's never too early to start documenting your baby's life, and there are tons of creative ways to do this. For example, you could make a scrapbook, purchase professional books with fill-in-the-blanks, or create your own baby bullet journal.
When I started a baby book for my son, I wished I had known about bullet journaling. That's the way I would have gone now that I know it's 100% customizable! Instead, I went with a fill-in-the-blanks baby book. I hope this post will help you decide which baby book style is best for you and see what you want to include in yours!
Baby Journal Ideas
If you are thinking of keeping a baby journal but you have no idea where to start, I've gathered some ideas for inspiration to get you started! Here are some great examples of how to document your baby's life.
Pictures. Lots and Lots of Pictures
A picture's worth a thousand words. A mom holding her baby for the first time, the way a father looks at his child with great pride, or the simple joy of seeing your baby take their first steps. If you do nothing else with a baby journal or scrapbook, fill it with lots of pictures!
I took more pictures than my phone could hold! I would recommend getting a small pocket printer that prints pictures right from your phone, so you can instantly add them to your baby's book. Or, try adding pictures to your "Favorites" folder and print them all off at once to be added to your baby journal!
Photos of Pregnancy Test
If you are like me, you want to remember everything! I would take a photo of the positive pregnancy test to include in my baby book. I would include a journal entry and write down the date of when I found out, where I was, what my reaction was, and how it made me feel.
Ultrasound Pictures
Many parents-to-be cherish the moment they find out their baby's gender, which will be through ultrasound pictures unless you wait until birth. It can also show measurements such as height and weight, which means it's a great way to document your child's growth throughout pregnancy.
Having a page in your journal dedicated to these pictures is a priceless way to relive the memories of your pregnancy.
Baby Shower Memories
Baby shower memories are important because it's one of the few times you'll have all your family and friends together before the baby arrives. One must-have item for a baby shower is a guest book. Instead of buying a guest book that will most likely end up stored and rarely looked at, have your guests sign your baby journal! That way, you will have everything in one place, and you will be able to look back and see who came and read what they wrote. This is a great way to keep your memories and journal entries together with everything that happened on that special day.
You can also choose to fasten your baby shower invitation inside one of the pages or include cards or cupcake toppers! Anything you wish to include, along with pictures and journal entries, is a great way to keep the day close to your heart.
Gender Reveal Announcement
The gender reveal party has been a trend that is catching on. It's a great way to celebrate the soon-to-be arrival of your baby. It can be done with an intimate gathering of friends or as a big family affair. However you decide to do the big reveal, make sure to take plenty of pictures for your baby journal!
It's also fun to write down what you thought you were having before you found out. For example, did you think it was a girl or a boy? What was your reaction when you found out? I thought I was having a girl and I was almost in shock when I found out I was having a boy! It's so funny to look back on now. But, of course, now that he is here, I cannot imagine life any other way. He is such a blessing!
Pregnancy Photos
Pregnancy photos can be a great way to document your pregnancy and the joy it brings you.
It's important to remember that these pictures will always be special, so make sure to take plenty of pictures for this occasion. You can take a picture each month to see the changes and growth and add it to your journal once a month. Finally, once your bundle of joy arrives, complete the photo series with a picture of you holding your baby. What a fun way to watch your baby grow!
You may also want to write about how your pregnancy has been going in your journal. For instance, you can write about the times you can feel your baby moving and kicking and remember the progress month by month.
Birth Story
Every birth story is unique and special in its own way. I remember writing about how labor was for me and what I experienced as a first-time mom about to give birth.
I wrote down who was in the room with me while my son was born, how long it took me to deliver once the time came, and my first reaction to seeing my son for the first time. Those are just a few highlights you can consider writing down as you write out your birth story.
Letter to your Baby
I wrote letters to my baby before I even knew what I was having! I wrote a letter addressed, "Dear Sweet Baby," the day after discovering that I was pregnant. I continued to write letters to my baby after finding out I would have a boy. Once we had a name for him, I addressed the letters to him! I told him how much I loved him already, what I prayed for over his life. I shared blessings and scripture that I hope one day he will find meaningful.
Writing letters to your baby is not something every mommy does, but I thought it was an idea to share if you like the idea as much as I did! Remember, these letters will be from your heart, so include whatever you want!
Baby's Handprints/Footprints
Your baby's handprints and footprints are such a special treasure. Looking back and remembering just how tiny they were the day they were born makes your heart melt. Most hospitals will give you a copy of their first prints, or you can do them at home right into your baby book.
Bullet Journal Tracker Ideas for Baby
Did you know that people use bullet journals to keep track of things daily or monthly? You can use trackers for your baby too! Here are some ideas I found that helped me discover bullet journaling after my bundle of joy came.
Sleep Tracker
The Sleep Tracker allows parents to monitor their baby's sleep patterns and habits. The tracker can help them understand what environment would be best for their child, how long they sleep at night, and whether sleep patterns are irregular. In addition, a sleep tracker can give you peace of mind knowing that your baby is getting enough rest! You also may want to have a sleep tracker for yourself as the days of regular sleep are now a thing of the past!
Here are some great examples of how to document your baby's life with a Sleep Tracker:
Growth Tracker
A growth tracker can be used for tracking height, weight, and head size, showing you how fast your baby is growing! This information can provide peace of mind when you're wondering if they're getting enough milk or formula. In addition, it provides perspective on how quickly time passes: They grow up way too fast!
I would keep the paper the pediatrician gave me with the new numbers and percentiles on it. Then, when I got home, I would pull out that paper and document the growth to compare with our last visit. It was so fun to see my baby boy's growth progress!
Feeding and Pumping Tracker
I will be honest and tell you that I struggled with breastfeeding. I didn't know about trackers at the time, but it would have really helped me, so I hope it's a helpful idea for you! I would go to the doctor, and they would ask me how much breast milk I was pumping per session and how often. I didn't know because I wasn't writing it down. This added stress of wondering if my son was getting enough breastmilk slowed down my milk production.
I would keep the paper the pediatrician gave me with the new numbers and percentiles on it. Then, when I got home, I would pull out that paper and document the growth to compare with our last visit. It was so fun to see my baby boy's growth progress!
Having a log of feeding times and pumping times would help to be consistent. You would also know how much your baby is eating, and your pediatrician can tell you if your baby is getting the right amount of food.
Bullet journals are so compact and practical; you can slide them right into your diaper bag and take them with you!
Bonus: You can also keep a page of questions to ask your pediatrician, so you do not forget. I did this, and it was so helpful!
Documenting Baby's Firsts
Baby's First Steps
The first time your baby takes a step is a moment you'll never forget. It's a milestone that brings immense joy and happiness. You might want to take a picture or video of this special event for the future. Also, keep the cutout of their feet after they take a step—it can be framed later as a memento.
You may also want to include a little journal entry about where you were when they took their first steps. Who was there? What or who was your baby walking to? How many steps did they take? Whatever is memorable for you, write it down! You will be so glad you did.
Baby's First Words
Baby's first words are such an exciting milestone in their development. Document your baby's first word in your journal by including a picture of the moment. In addition, you can write down the date they spoke their first word, and include what they said!
Baby's First Haircut
A baby's first haircut is both exciting and challenging all at the same time. If your baby is anything like mine (full head of hair), this event may occur before their first birthday. However, it may be much longer for some kids. I documented this event by keeping a piece of the cut hair in my baby journal with a picture to remember it by.
You may also choose to use a small envelope and tape it to the inside of the journal. Then, slip the cut hair into the envelope instead of a piece of tape. It is your choice!
Baby's First Laugh
A baby's first laugh is one of the most priceless moments you'll have as a parent. Of course, you'll want to video their adorable laugh as soon as possible. Still, you can also write about the special moment in your journal, describing the joy it brought you.
Write down what made them laugh. Were you tickling your baby's tummy? Or maybe daddy made a funny face to bring on the laughter! Whatever it was, record the details. You will love to look back on this one later.
Baby's First Birthday
A baby's first birthday is a special time filled with happiness and joy. You want to document their first birthday in a journal so you can relive the memories whenever you want. They grow up way too fast, and you'll want to relive this moment for many years to come. An excellent idea for documenting a baby's first birthday is to have a mini scrapbook in your journal. Include all of the pictures from the party, including pictures of your baby with their first present, cake smash pictures, and any other memorable moments from the day.
I saved the paper cake topper from one of the cupcakes and taped it into the journal, as well as a small piece of wrapping paper and some of the birthday confetti! They added just the right touch to remember the special occasion.
Baby's First Christmas
The pictures that you take of your baby during the first Christmas will always be special. So you must cherish these memories and take plenty of pictures for this occasion.
Baby's First Halloween
Your baby's first Halloween costume is a special occasion you want to document in your baby journal. The perfect way to do this is by taking pictures of them with their costume on and writing about how much they loved it. What did they think when they saw themselves in the mirror and what was their reaction?
It remains an event that you will never forget when sifting through the pages of your baby journal!
Baby's Artwork
A baby's artwork can be as simple as scribbles on a page. It won't be a masterpiece in the eyes of most, but to us parents, it's a thing of beauty. What matters most is that you document it and remember it for years to come. Recording their first piece of art in your baby journal is a great way to start!
Scriptures and Quotes on Parenting
Quotes and scriptures on parenting can be a great way to find encouragement on the journey of parenthood. So many quotes and scriptures on parenting can help you find comfort in all those late-night moments where you're just not sure how you're going to get through.
Isaiah 41:10 says, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."
“Encourage and support your kids because children are apt to live up to what you believe of them.”
Keeping quotes and scriptures like these in your journal is a great way to have something to turn to for uplifting encouragement when you need them most.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found some ideas to help you start your baby's journal! Your baby's journal is a special keepsake that you will treasure for your entire lifetime. It is also a special collection of memories your son or daughter will love to look through when they are older!
What are your favorite ideas from this list? Or, if you have some ideas that were not on my list, please share them below! Also, I would love to know what other ideas you have that may also help other moms with their baby books.
Thank you for joining me, and I hope you have a joy-filled day!
