12 Simple Ways to Capture Your Baby's First Year

12 Simple Ways to Capture Your Baby's First Year

Everyone tells you the first year goes fast. Nobody tells you just how fast. One day they're curled up on your chest, and the next they're pulling themselves up on the couch. You don't need a scrapbook habit or hours of spare time to hold on to those moments.

Here are 12 simple ideas that take minutes, not hours.

 1. Monthly hand and footprints. A print each month shows exactly how much they've grown. Our Inkless Milestone Card Kit has a card for every month, with no ink on baby's skin.

2. The same photo, every month. Use the same spot, chair or soft toy for scale. Twelve photos side by side make a beautiful birthday slideshow.

 3. A one-line diary. Each night, jot down one thing that happened. Tiny details, like a new sound or a favourite song, fade fastest.

4. Letters to your baby. Write a short letter on their birthday or at each milestone, and seal them away to read when they're older. We've done this for our daughter and it sets of the waterworks so be sure to have the tissues handy.

5. Record their sounds. Coos, giggles and first babbles are easy to forget. A quick voice memo on your phone keeps them forever.

6. Keep a few outfits. Save their coming-home outfit and one or two favourites. A personalised jumper makes an especially lovely keepsake once it's outgrown.

7. Photograph the everyday. Play time, feeding and nap time. The ordinary moments become the ones you treasure most.

8. Get in the photos. Hand your phone to someone else now and then. Your baby will love seeing you in their story one day.

9. Note the firsts. First smile, first food, first tooth, first steps. A simple list on your phone is enough.

10. Save the small things. Hospital bracelet, a lock of hair from the first haircut, cards from family. A shoebox works perfectly.

11. Capture the seasons. Their first Christmas, first beach day or first visit to the zoo. A first Christmas jumper makes those photos even more special.

12. Celebrate turning one. Look back at everything you've captured. You'll be amazed how far they've come.

Start today, not someday

You don't need to do all 12. Pick two or three that feel easy and stick with them. Years from now, you'll be so glad you did, because they'll never be that small again