Preserve memories of your baby's infant years by trying out these creative ideas. That way, you and your child can cherish these wonderful memories long after they've grown up. It's also a great way for your children to see what they were like as babies since we don't typically remember that time period vividly.
If you're a new parent, then you know how life-changing your child's birth is. Your precious baby boy or baby girl is now the center of your universe. One of the joys of parenthood is watching your children grow over the years, and this is the starting point.
We often say that our kids grow up too fast, especially nowadays. That's why it's important to cherish your child during their baby years. Record and archive your memories of them as tiny darlings, so that when they do grow up too fast, you'll always have something to look back on.
1. Professional baby photography
You may have a nice camera and fancy yourself as a good amateur photographer, but nothing beats the expertise and eye of a professional. There are many companies that specialize in maternity and baby photos. They offer package deals that include professional post-editing and file transfers. A professional photographer will know the right lighting, angles, composition, and creative direction that will result in outstanding photos that you and your family can cherish forever.
2. Crawl painting
This one is a messy but fun and worthwhile idea. Buy a large canvas roll (the ones without a wooden frame). Next, purchase non-toxic, non-allergic washable paint — Crayola makes inexpensive sets that are non-toxic and don't have annoying or harmful smells. Then, pour a little of each different color on the canvas and let your baby crawl around, of course making sure they don't put the paint in their mouth. The results should be a "trail" of them crawling around the canvas with the paint all mixing together to create a masterpiece. Afterwards, let the artwork dry while you give your mini-Picasso a well-deserved bath.
3. Baby bottle decor
Take one or a few of your baby's old milk bottles and turn them into home decorations. For example, you can fill them up with glitter or sand from their first trip to the beach (include seashells while you're at it). You can also add small mementos and trinkets from their baby years.
4. Framed ultrasound photo
If you received copies of your ultrasound from the clinic or hospital, you can have them enlarged and printed at the photo department of places like Costco, Walgreens, and Walmart. You can also go to a photo printing shop or camera store to do it, but they will be more expensive. If you can get a digital copy with high-resolution from the clinic, even better! Purchase a nice frame and maybe some mat, and frame your baby's ultrasound. Not only does it look cool and artsy, it will also make a unique memento that will remind you of those fond memories of early parenthood.
5. Clothes quilt
While we encourage parents to donate old baby clothes to homeless shelters or Salvation Army — so that disadvantaged parents can have clothing for their precious babies — another cool project would be to sew a baby clothes quilt. There are various how-to articles online as well as hundreds of videos for beginners. Not only will you learn a new hobby (one which will come in handy as a parent), but you'll have a wonderful needlework that will always remind you of your child's baby years. Bonus: they make comfy blankets in the winter time!
6. Baby hand cast
One of the most popular ways of preserving baby memories is by creating hand or foot casts using plaster molding and other non-toxic materials. There are numerous brands online or at hobby stories to choose from. You can create moldings of hand and foot prints and turn them into home decor.
7. Framed baby footprints
Speaking of footprints, you can also use washable non-toxic hypoallergenic ink to create footprint art. Simply place the ink in a plastic container and use a rolling brush, which usually comes with the print-making set, to lightly coat the soles of your little one's feet. Then, press their inked feet on to a thick piece of paper. We recommend card stock if the footprint kit doesn't come with one. You can then frame it and display it on the wall along with the ultrasound photo.
8. Baby clothes on a teddy bear
Another way of reusing your baby's old clothes is to buy a cute teddy bear that is baby-sized, and dress them up with your baby's old clothing. It'll make a charming and unique memento for your child. They can even play with it. Later on, in the future, when your baby becomes a grown-up, they can give it to their own babies to play with. It's a poetic and creative way of reminding us the cycle of life.
9. Memories Timeline
You can create a Memories Timeline that will not only securely host moments from your baby's precious infant years and other memories, it will allow you to share them with loved ones as well. Think of a Memories Timeline as a digital scrapbook, but with multimedia features: it hosts digitized photos, videos and images of mementos so they never get lost. Over time, the Timeline will become a reminder of the importance of creating memories with family, and the value of recording your family history for future generations to learn from.
10. Memory Book
One of the best ways to commemorate this important period in your child's life is to create a baby memory book. A physical memory book you can hold in your hands would also make a great companion piece to a Memories Timeline, which is the digital version. A memory book is essentially a scrapbook but focuses more on a certain period, such as your child's baby years. While a digital memory book, such as a Memories Timeline, is rich with multimedia benefits, nothing beats a memory book that you can hold in your hands.