“How to Make a Baby Book: A Step-by-Step Guide to Keeping Special First Moments” is a collaborative post.
From the first sleepy smile to roly-poly fingers and little toes, every one of your baby’s first-year moments is pure magic. But they flash by in a heartbeat. A baby book is a special way to hold on to the little things—before they disappear into the past.
In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through step-by-step on making a baby book that tells of your love and your child’s own story. If you’re a crafty do-it-yourselfer or prefer something pre-made, you’ll have ideas, questions, and inspiration to get started today and end up with a treasure your family will treasure forever.
Why Make a Baby Book?
Emotional Value
Logging your baby’s firsts keeps you grounded in the midst of new parenthood madness. It’s a way to stop, reflect, and revisit the emotions of these precious milestones.
A Present for the Future
Something greater than a scrapbook, a baby book is a tale your child will one day read about themselves. It can be a priceless gift on their 18th birthday, graduation, or when they have kids of their own.
Your Parenting Journal
It’s yours too. A quiet place to jot down joy, fear, pride, and the sweet surprises of raising a little human.
What to Include in a Baby Book
You cannot have a baby book as right or wrong, but below are some tips to kick you off:
- Birth Story – Time and place, weight and height, and a short note on the experience
- Family Tree – Names, pictures, and a line or two on each loved one
- Milestones – First laugh, first smile, first word, first step
- Growth Tracker – Monthly photos, weight, height, and personality updates
- First Holidays – First Halloween, Christmas, or birthday memories
- Letters to Baby – Write a letter every few months or once a year
- Favorites – Track favorite songs, foods, toys, and routines
- Photos – Ultrasound, newborn shoot, candid moments
- Footprints and Handprints – Ink prints or photos of tiny hands and feet
Bonus Ideas:
- Baby shower memories
- Hospital ID bracelet or first outfit photo
- Quotes from parents or siblings
- Funny moments or “first mess” stories
DIY vs Pre-made Baby Books
DIY Baby Book
If you like doing things yourself, a DIY baby book gives you total control over appearance and details.
What You’ll Need:
- Blank journal, binder, or scrapbook
- Pens, markers, stickers, glue
- Printed photos
- Templates or prompts (many are free online)
Tips for Success:
- Choose a consistent format (monthly pages, themed spreads, etc.)
- Print photos regularly
- Keep memorabilia (hospital bands, etc.) in a memory box until adding them
Advantages: Personal, inexpensive, fun
Disadvantages: Time-consuming, requires consistency
Pre-made Baby Book
Not crafty or in a rush? A professionally crafted baby book can still be deeply personal—without the glue guns and all-night crafting binges.
Recommended Option:
Arcoalbum.com is a great place for beautifully handcrafted baby albums with elegant layouts, linen covers, lay-flat pages, and refined personalization.
Pre-made books typically come with:
- Guided questions
- Pre-formatted layouts
- High-quality materials
Perfect for busy modern parents who still want something meaningful.
How to Make a Baby Book: Step-by-Step
Whether you’re going DIY or using a pre-made album:
1. Choose the Right Size
- Scrapbook or blank journal
- Printable templates
- Ready-made album (e.g., Arcoalbum)
- Digital apps with printing later
2. Map Out Your Sections
Examples:
- “Your Birth Story“
- “First 12 Months”
- “Milestones & Memories”
- “Letters to You”
A rough outline keeps you organized.
3. Start with What You Know
Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Write about pregnancy, your baby’s first days, or recent cute memories.
4. Make It Easy with Prompts
Try:
- “The first time you smiled at me, I…”
- “Your favorite toy this month was…”
- “I want you to know…”
These help capture emotions and daily life.
5. Set Time to Update
Make it a monthly ritual—maybe while sipping tea or during nap time.
6. Add Pictures
Use plenty of photos:
- Ultrasounds
- Birthdays
- Everyday candid moments
Tip: Use acid-free glue and photo-safe paper.
7. Embrace Imperfection
You won’t remember everything. Pages might be incomplete—and that’s perfectly fine. The love behind it is what truly matters.
Digital Baby Book Options
Prefer going digital? These apps help you track milestones and compile memories:
- Qeepsake – Sends daily prompts via text; creates a printable book
- Tinybeans – Tracks milestones and organizes photos; great for sharing
- Journi – Photo timeline tool; perfect for visual storytelling
You can later print selected memories into a physical keepsake.
Where to Find Templates & Inspiration
- Pinterest: Search for baby book ideas or memory journal layouts
- Etsy: Designers offer printable and editable baby book pages
- Instagram: Use hashtags like #babybook or #babymemorybook
Pro Tip: Check out Canva for editable digital templates.
Baby Book Gift Idea
A baby photo book is a thoughtful gift for new parents or a baby shower. Add a neutral design, quality pen, or milestone stickers for a complete and memorable present.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re scrapbooking by hand or selecting an elegant album from Arco Album, your baby book will be one of the most meaningful things you create as a parent.
It’s not perfection—it’s presence.
It’s not what you’ll forget—it’s what you’ll remember.
Ready to Begin?
Start with a blank page, some snapshots, and a pinch of love—or find custom keepsakes that will stand the test of time. The story of your infant’s first few years is one to share.
