Any parent will tell you that the first few years of a child’s life simply fly by. One minute they’re a newborn, the next they’re headed off to college! Many parents look to savor these early years by keeping hold of as many memories as they possibly can. And we don’t mean clinging on to your baby boy romper collection – we mean the more personal, sentimental things.
Things will be busy and hectic when your baby is small, but it’s worth taking the time to put aside keepsakes and mementos – your future self will appreciate the effort, even if your present self doesn’t!
Here are a few ideas for things you might want to keep.
Photos from ultrasounds
Scan photos are the first images you’ll ever have of your baby – what is more precious than that? You can look back forever on these perfect pre-birth images of your child, even when that child becomes an adult and has children of their own!
First family photo
The first photo of you and your baby as a family is priceless – whether you’re still in the hospital or cozy at home, it’s a moment that simply can’t be replicated. Make sure to document it and keep the photograph somewhere safe – in a memory box or a frame if you have an appropriate one. If you have more children, you can even create a collage of frames with all of your ‘first’ photos.
Hospital identification bracelet
The hospital band, your baby, is given at birth is likely to be the first time you ever see their name written down – even if it’s just ‘Baby’ and then your last name if you don’t have one picked out yet! When you look back on it, years later, you’ll wonder how they were ever tiny enough for the band to fit over their wrist.
Going Home Outfit
Chances are, your baby will go home from the hospital in a simple Babygro or onesie – not the most exciting of outfits, but still one of the most special they will ever wear! Once they grow out of it, wash it carefully and fold it away – as your child grows, both you and they will be amazed they ever fitted comfortably into something so small! And every time you look at it, you’ll be reminded of that special moment when you came home together for the first time.
The first blanket you ever wrap your baby in will also be valuable throughout life and could even serve as a source of comfort for them into adulthood. Choose one that is high quality and will last a long time.
First Tooth
Your baby’s teeth will start to come in at some point between around six months to one year old. They probably won’t start losing their baby teeth until they are about six years old, and that first tooth loss is an essential rite of passage for any child even if you’re not a family that believes in the Tooth Fairy! Some parents keep their children’s first lost tooth in a specific box; some have them made into commemorative jewelry – whatever works for you.
Keepsake Box
The keepsake box you store your baby mementos in can be a keepsake in itself! Decorate a plain table with images that mean something to you, or have it personalized with your family members.
Lock of Hair
Baby’s first haircut is a real milestone – it’s not walking or crawling, but it’s a symbolic moment that shows how much your baby has grown since birth. Many parents choose to keep a lock of hair from their child’s first trip to the hair salon, but how you go about this is up to you. You can keep it in a special keepsake box, add it into a locket or include it as part of a photo frame.
First pair of shoes
While as adults, we consider clothes and shoes to be pretty much the same; for babies, their first pair of shoes is a massive moment that symbolizes they are growing and changing. When babies are tiny, they simply don’t need to wear shoes as their feet don’t touch the ground, and for most babies, their first pair will be soft-soled, so they may not get their first pair of proper shoes until they’re nearly a year old.
If your baby’s first pair of shoes come in a box, make sure to keep hold of it so you can put them back in the box once they’ve grown out of them. This will help you keep them safe and stop them from getting damaged.
A Book of Milestones
Many parents choose to record important dates and times in their child’s early years in a specific book of milestones. These books are widely available and come in many different styles and formats, so you’re sure to find one that works for you! Once you have filled in the entire book, it will serve as a perfect complement to all of your other keepsakes and trinkets as you reminisce in years to come.
Photos of the First Year
Thanks to smartphones, we’re better equipped to document the critical moments of our lives. The first year of your child’s life is full of new experiences – they have never experienced any of life back – but they are unlikely to remember any of it so these precious photographs that you take in the first year will serve as reminders to not only you but your children too!
Hand and Foot Prints
Keep a permanent reminder of just how small and cute your children’s hands and feet used to be with casts or prints of their hands and feet. You can either pick up your kit and make the prints yourself or pay a professional to do it. Just make sure to use clay or paint that is non-toxic and suitable for soft baby skin.
