The first few days home from the hospital with your new baby will be hectic, but they’re also the best time to start collecting materials for your new baby scrapbook. A new baby scrapbook is a meaningful memento that your child will cherish throughout his or her life. Even if you don’t feel up to creating your scrapbook during your first few weeks home, start to set aside the items you’d like to include so that they don’t get lost in the hustle and bustle of life with your new baby.
Pictures
Pictures will likely make up the bulk of your baby scrapbook, so be sure to get lots of shots both before and after your trip to the hospital. As some soon-to-be mothers get closer to their due dates, they’ll actually hire professional photographers to document the entire journey of pregnancy, delivery and recovery – but if this seems a bit invasive, consider enlisting a trusted friend or family member to take pictures for you.
Hospital mementos
Small trinkets from your hospital stay make great additions to your baby scrapbook. Be sure to save the nametag that hospital personnel attach to your baby’s wrist, in addition to any “new baby” signs that the staff post in your room. If your hospital provides you with a baby blanket to take home, you might also want to hang on to it – a small swatch cut from one of the corners can be another meaningful addition to your scrapbook.
Birth announcements
If you send out mailed birth announcements to friends and family members, keep a copy for yourself to include in your baby book. You can also include a printed copy of the newspaper announcement, if you choose to have one published. Finally, even if you decide to go the more modern route of announcing your baby’s birth via website, you can still print out a copy of the post you made for your baby’s scrapbook.
Cards and gifts
If you’ve held on to any of the cards you received at your baby shower, you may want to include a separate “pre-birth” page. You might also find that some friends and family members will send congratulations cards following your baby’s birth. These, and other small gifts, make great additions to your baby scrapbook.
Putting it all together
Once you’ve assembled all the different pieces to include in your new baby scrapbook, it’s time to hit the crafts store! Stores like Michaels or JoAnns all carry scrapbooking materials, or, depending on where you live, you may be able to find a stand-alone, dedicated scrapbooking store. These stores carry a wide variety of materials, including pre-made scrapbook kits that come with everything you need to put your baby book together.
If you’re feeling creative, you can also create your own new baby scrapbook from scratch. Most crafting stores offer specialty papers, stickers, stamps, pens and much more that can be used to create a unique, one-of-a-kind baby book. Some scrapbooking stores also offer classes on making baby books where you’ll learn new techniques and work with others on your project. Look for stores in your area that offer these classes – they can be a great way to get out and meet other new moms, all while putting together a keepsake that your child will treasure forever.
