The first year flies by in a blur of baby giggles, late-night cuddles, and more diaper changes than you ever thought possible. With so many exciting firsts—first smile, first steps, first everything—it’s easy to lose track! That’s why documenting those special moments is so important. But let’s be real, between naps (theirs) and coffee (yours), it can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry—we’ve got you! We’ve rounded up the must-have milestones for your baby book, so you can capture all the magic without the stress. Grab a cup of tea, and let’s dive in!
9 Milestones to Include in a Baby Book
1. Month by Month: Watch Me Grow!
Babies change fast—one minute, they’re a tiny newborn, and the next, they’re a giggling, wiggling bundle of personality. That’s why monthly milestone photos are a must! Whether it’s a cute outfit, a milestone card, or just a simple snap on the couch, documenting their growth each month helps you see just how much they’ve changed. Maybe their chubby cheeks got chubbier, or that first gummy smile appeared. Write down little details, too—favorite toy, new tricks, funny quirks. These moments might feel small now, but trust us, future you will love looking back at them!
2. The First Week: A Blur of Love
That first week? Pure magic… and maybe a little exhausting. You’re in the newborn bubble, soaking up every snuggle, every tiny yawn, and that newborn smell (seriously, why don’t they bottle that?). It’s also a time of firsts—first night at home, first diaper blowout (welcome to parenthood!), and first family snuggles. Take notes on how you felt, the sweetest moments, and even the challenges. These are the raw, real memories that fade way too fast. Jot them down now so you can relive those first precious days forever.
3. Coming Home: Welcome to the World!
Bringing baby home is a huge moment. Whether it’s a peaceful ride or a full-on scream fest (babies, right?), it’s the start of your new adventure together. Snap a photo of baby in their car seat, their tiny hands gripping your fingers, or their first nap in their crib. Write down how you felt—excited, nervous, totally in love? Maybe there was a funny moment (like realizing you had no idea how to install the car seat). However it went, this is the beginning of your family’s new chapter.
4. Rolling Over: The Wiggle Begins!
One day, your baby is happily lying on their back, and the next, they’re flipping over like a little gymnast! Rolling over is the first big step toward movement, and it’s so exciting. They might start with a wobbly half-roll, lots of grunts, and some accidental faceplants, but soon enough, they’ll be rolling all over the place. Capture the moment with a photo or video and jot down the date, where they were, and their reaction (was it surprise? Pure joy? A confused look like, "Wait, how did I do that?").
5. First Tastes: The Messiest Milestone
Get ready—things are about to get messy! Introducing solids is a huge milestone, and it’s often equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. Maybe baby’s first food was sweet potato, banana, or avocado. Did they love it? Spit it out dramatically? Smear it all over their face? Write it all down, because these moments are golden. Take a picture of that first bite (or that inevitable food-covered face), and don’t forget to note their favorite and least favorite foods—it’ll be fun to look back on later!
6. Sitting Up: The View Just Got Better
One day, they’re wobbling like a tiny bobblehead, and the next, they’re sitting tall, taking in the world from a brand-new perspective! Sitting up is a big deal—it means more playtime, more giggles, and a lot fewer tummy-time protests. Maybe they needed a little support at first, or maybe they surprised you by sitting up like a pro. Jot down the date, what helped them master it, and their reaction to seeing the world from their new big kid seat.
7. Crawling: And They’re Off!
Suddenly, your once-stationary baby is on the move, going through the stages of crawling—and nothing is safe anymore! Whether they start with an army crawl, a bum shuffle, or go straight to hands-and-knees speed mode, crawling is a game-changer. Maybe they had a favorite target (the dog’s tail? Your phone?), or maybe they took their time, content to observe before making their move. Either way, this milestone is worth remembering. Write down the date, their first “destination,” and how you felt seeing your little one officially on the go!
8. First Steps: Here Comes Trouble!
It’s the big one! Those first wobbly, heart-stopping, joy-filled steps are something you’ll never forget. Maybe baby took off like a pro, or maybe it was a slow, cautious process with lots of faceplants along the way. No matter what, it’s a huge milestone worth documenting. Write down when and where it happened, who was there, and how it felt watching your tiny human take their first steps into toddlerhood. Bonus points if you capture their proud little face on camera!
9. First Birthday: A Whole Year of Love
You made it! One year of cuddles, milestones, and more love than you ever thought possible. Your baby’s first birthday is a time to celebrate—not just for baby, but for you too! Whether it’s a big party or a quiet day with family, capture the details: the theme, the cake (smashed or not?), and how baby reacted to all the excitement. Write a little note to your future self about the past year—what you’ve learned, what surprised you, and how much your little one has grown. You’ll cherish looking back on this huge milestone for years to come!
Best Baby Book to Record Milestones
If you’re wondering how to make a first year baby book, the Dujourbaby digital baby book is the easiest way to keep track of all your little one’s milestones—without the stress! It’s beautifully organized by month, so you can quickly add memories as your baby grows. Since every child develops at their own pace, it features general prompts like “How is baby developing this month?” so you can record whatever feels special—big milestones, funny moments, or tiny details you never want to forget. Add photos, jot down memories, and at the end of the year, turn it all into a printed baby milestone book. It’s the perfect way to capture your baby’s first year effortlessly. Best part? You can download and try it for free today!
Download & Try Baby Book App for Free
Just Start – You’ll Be Glad You Did!
The best way to document your baby’s milestones? Just do it! Don’t stress about picking the “right” ones—every moment is special in its own way. Whether it’s a big milestone like first steps or a small but sweet memory like their first belly laugh, what matters is capturing it somewhere. No need for perfection—just jot things down as they happen, snap a quick photo, and keep it simple. You’ll be so grateful to look back on these moments one day. Whether you use a traditional baby book or a digital one like Dujourbaby, just start recording. Future you (and your little one) will love reliving all those precious memories!