5 Creative Ways To Organize Your Baby’s Keepsakes
Introduction
Keeping track of your baby’s memories can feel overwhelming, especially at the beginning of their life. You are exhausted- the last thing on your mind is how to organize your baby’s keepsakes. But being able to look back on these memories will be such a gift. Trust me, you will regret not keeping track of these precious memories. This is why I created this guide on how to organize your baby’s keepsakes. These ideas give you a multitude of choices, so that you can easily find options that work for you and your schedule.
Table Of Contents
1. Memory Box
You know how babies come with SO much stuff? I didn’t want to throw it all out, but I also didn’t want to keep every single sock he ever wore. So I started a memory box. I got the idea from my mom. She kept one for my brother and me. I think it is a great way to organize your baby’s keepsakes.
In the beginning, it was just a diaper box filled with random little things: hospital bracelets, his coming-home outfit, a tiny hat from the hospital. Over time, I added other items—a few outfits from his first few clothing sizes, one diaper from each size, and even appointment cards from his pediatrician. The box is getting quite full, but I appreciate how easy it is to quickly set aside items that I want to keep for my son.
Eventually, I plan to go back and organize it a little more. Maybe get a plastic tub or a keepsake box. But for now, it’s all in one place, and I love digging through it from time to time. It’s amazing how quickly you forget how tiny everything once was. This is one of the best ways to quickly organize your baby’s keepsakes.
2. Scrapbooking
I like to keep a scrapbook for my son. It’s proven to be a lot of fun and a surprisingly therapeutic way to wind down during naptime or after bedtime. I started it during my pregnancy, but I really committed once he was born. Those early weeks were foggy, and scrapbooking gave me something that helped me feel more like myself. It became a creative outlet when I needed one—something that helped me reconnect with myself while also connecting with my new role as “mom.”
You don’t have to be ultra-crafty or spend a ton of money to start. Honestly, you just need a few basics:
- A binder or album
- Plain or colored paper
- Photos
- Tape or glue
- A Sharpie or marker
- Scissors
That’s it to begin. But let’s be real—once you start, it’s hard to stop. Soon, you might find yourself picking up extra supplies like:
- Cute stickers (I love the seasonal ones)
- Paper books with patterns and textures
- A good paper trimmer or cutting tool
- A corner cutter for those nice, rounded photo edges
Now I do one page a week. I pick my favorite photos for the week and decide on a theme. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Sometimes it’s just a photo, a date, and a note about what made that week special. As my son gets older, I imagine I’ll focus more on big moments—holidays, birthdays, school projects.
Scrapbooking doesn’t have to be perfect. Let go of the Pinterest pressure. It’s not about aesthetics. It’s about love. Your child will treasure flipping through those pages one day, and you’ll be glad you captured the chaos, joy, and everything in between.
3. Emails
This one might sound a little unconventional, but I love it. Emailing your baby-it’s not as weird as it sounds, and its a great way to organize your baby’s keepsakes.
Set up an email address in your child’s name (you can always change it later) and start sending them little notes. Think of it as a digital diary, or a virtual time capsule. Send pictures. Send a list of their favorite foods for that month. Send a story about how they wouldn’t stop saying “uh-oh” for two hours straight. Or just write something that you love about them.
I write my emails in a journal-like format first, then copy them over. This makes it so you have some form of backup, in case you lose access to the email account. I attach photos, and sometimes little video clips. I’ve been doing a weekly update. This only takes about thirty minutes every week, but the emails will add up over time.
What I love about this method is how easy it is to keep up with—and how natural it feels. You’re already on your phone, might as well do something productive.
It’s modern, meaningful, and totally doable.
4. Journaling
I’ve always been wishy-washy with journaling. I’ve kept a journal on and off since I was seven years old. But after I had my son, journaling took on a new meaning. I started a journal just for him. A place to write things I didn’t want to forget: his little coos, the way his hands curled around mine, the nights he’d fall asleep on my chest and I wouldn’t dare move.
In the beginning, I used a regular notebook. Then I moved to Google Docs because it was easier to jot things down from my phone when inspiration struck, like during late-night feedings or long stroller walks. You can do both. Or something in between. The format doesn’t matter. What matters is writing things down, however it looks for you.
Most of the time, I use the journal entries as my emails to my son. This makes it easy to remember what happened during the week,
You can structure your journal like a letter (“Dear baby…”) or write freely. Googling prompts are also a fun way to get started. Making pages dedicated to certain topics is also an option. I have a page dedicated to milestones, so I can write down new things my son learns and the date.
If you fall off the journaling wagon for a few weeks (or months), don’t stress. Pick it up again when you’re ready. It does not have to be perfect. You can keep this journal with anything you use to organize your baby’s keepsakes, like a memory box.
5. Photo Milestones
You’re already taking a thousand photos—don’t let them live and die on your phone.
I use iCloud photo albums to keep things organized. You can break them up by week or by theme: “First Foods,” “Bathtime,” “Family Visits.” It makes it way easier to find pictures later, and I love scrolling through them when I need a little boost. You can learn more tips on taking photos of your baby here.
One of my favorite traditions is taking a monthly photo next to the same stuffed animal. It’s such a fun way to see how much he’s grown. (Pro tip: pick a BIG stuffed animal so the comparison works long-term.)
I also take short videos each month where he “blows out” a birthday candle (okay, we blow it out while he stares in confusion). I am excited to make a montage of the video when my son turns a year old. It’s a fun way to make every milestone a celebration.
Wooden milestone cards add a nice touch to the monthly photos. They’re aesthetic, reusable, and make the photos feel a bit more intentional. It does get a bit harder to add the milestone cards in the photo as your little one gets more mobile. Lately, my son has just been chewing on them in photos.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Aim for Perfect—Aim for Personal
This isn’t about creating something Instagram-worthy. It’s about capturing the little things. The raw, sweet, and ordinary things. The way their hair stuck up that one week. The time they giggled at a dog wearing sunglasses. Your first trip to the park- the possibilities are endless.
Whether it’s a handwritten note in a journal or a blurry photo snapped at 3 a.m., it all matters. Your future self will thank you.
Some weeks, I do a lot of writing. Other times, I do very little. That’s okay. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s preservation. Organizing your baby’s keepsakes does not have to be a challenge. With a little consistency, you can create something that will be invaluable for years to come.
Final Thoughts
If I’ve learned anything since becoming a parent, it’s this: time doesn’t wait. One day, you’re changing newborn-sized diapers at 3 a.m., the next, they are crawling around the house. It’s wild how fast it all goes.
That’s why I started saving the little things. Some weeks I’m deep in scrapbooking mode, cutting corners off photos and obsessing over sticker placement. Other times, all I manage is a few notes in a Google Doc, or tossing a hospital bracelet into a memory box with no plan other than “I’ll organize this later.” And honestly? That’s enough.
This isn’t about perfection. It’s not about creating a Pinterest-worthy baby book or keeping up with some imaginary mom who’s somehow doing it all. It’s about preserving what matters to you. The look in their eyes when they laugh. The curl of their fingers around yours. That crooked little smile that only shows up when they see their favorite people.
Whatever way you choose to hold onto these moments—through words, photos, keepsakes, or emails—it will mean something. You’ll look back one day and be so glad you took the time to organize your baby’s keepsakes, even if it wasn’t perfect. Even if it was just a few lines scribbled in between diaper changes and dishes.
So start where you are. Use what you have. Capture what feels important, even if no one else understands why. These memories? They’re yours. And one day, they’ll be a gift to your child, too.
I hope this post gave you some ideas on how to organize your baby’s keepsakes! If you need more ideas on planning for baby, check out my article on gender-neutral nursery ideas! Also, subscribe to my email list for more fun parenting and healthy living ideas!
