It’s hard to believe when you’re in it, but your baby is technically a newborn for just 28 days. That’s less than a month! Whether those days feel like a blur of feedings, diaper changes, and attempting to sleep, or they’re filled with quiet moments of connection, they’re fleeting. One minute you’re learning how to swaddle; the next, your baby is outgrowing their first onesie. That’s why capturing newborn milestones (in writing and photos) can be such a meaningful gift to your child, and to your future self.
At Baby Notebook, we believe in preserving memories in a way that feels doable and delightful for busy parents. Whether you’re a first-time parent or this is your second time around, here’s how to document newborn milestones beautifully and intentionally without adding to your to-do list.
What Counts as a Newborn Milestone?
When we think of newborn milestones, we often jump straight to “first smile” or “holding their head up.” But in those early weeks, it’s the little things that leave the biggest impression.
These are sweet, everyday moments that define the newborn stage:
- Sleepy yawns that melt your heart
- The way they stretch their tiny arms and legs after being unwrapped from their swaddle
- Their soft, rhythmic breathing while sleeping on your chest
- How they grip your finger with their whole hand
- That sleepy, milk-drunk face after a good feeding
- Their unique little hums, coos, and babbles
These aren’t newborn milestones with exact dates. They’re little moments you’ll want to capture in photos before they disappear into the haze of those early newborn days.
Newborn Photos You’ll Be Glad You Took
You don’t need a professional photographer to document your baby’s first moments. In fact, some of the most memorable photos come from simple, candid snaps taken on your phone.
Here are a few of our favorite photo ideas to include in your baby book:
- Yawning
- Stretching after swaddling
- Sleeping
- Bath time
- Skin-to-skin snuggles
- Tiny toes and fingers
- Tummy time
- First family selfie
Need more inspiration? Check out our guide to newborn month-by-month pictures for creative ideas and tips.
Elevate your monthly photo sessions using our Baby Moment Cards! Use them as a photo prop to mark the milestone and add a beautiful touch to your keepsake photo. Download your Baby Moment Cards here.
Track Newborn Milestones without the Overwhelm
Let’s be honest. Time gets away from you in the newborn phase. Between feedings, diapers, and figuring out your new rhythm, memory keeping often gets put on the back burner. That’s where Baby Notebook comes in.
Instead of leaving your memories scattered across your notes app and camera roll, the Baby Notebook app gently reminds you to pause and preserve the moments that matter. Best of all, it only takes a few minutes a week to create a fully custom baby book by the end of your child’s first year.
Here are some of the Baby Notebook app features that parents love.
📲 Weekly Reminder Notifications
Every week you receive a notification tailored to your baby’s age, including questions about newborn milestones. The first weekly notification will look something like this:
Congratulations on your newborn! Update baby’s memory book with your birth story and the little details of those first moments with baby.
🗓️ Monthly Milestone Reminders
Each month we’ll remind you to photograph your baby. It’s a favorite way to track the way your baby changes.
📏 Easy Growth Tracking
Baby Notebook has pages designed for tracking your baby’s stats after doctor’s appointments. You’ll receive notifications like this to help you fill it in:
Update baby’s memory book! What were baby’s first Doctor appointment stats? (age/weight/height)
More than a Baby Book: A Reminder to be Present
With the Baby Notebook app guiding you through the brief, beautiful newborn phase, you might just see things a little differently. Baby Notebook co-founder Davia found herself more attuned to her second child in his newborn stage because she was using the app.
Davia said, “I found myself a lot more present the second time around, listening to babbles and noticing my little one hum tunes in that first year. Using the Baby Notebook app helped keep those early developmental milestones top of mind.”
By receiving reminders and having an easy place to jot down newborn milestones, you become more attuned to the small wonders of your baby’s day-to-day growth.
You don’t need extra hours or complicated scrapbooking tools to preserve your baby’s story. Download the Baby Notebook app and start documenting your baby’s newborn milestones in a custom baby book today!