The 10 best baby milestone books for treasured memories

The best baby milestone books for treasured memories

by Eleanor Weaver |
Updated on

Throughout their lifetime, you'll probably spoil your bundle of joy with plenty of the best children’s books to aid their development and for some special bonding time. But one book that you may want to buy for yourself is a baby milestone book, for you to record major milestones in your little one’s life — such as their first birthday party, losing their first tooth, or even your first ultrasound scan.

While we’re sure you’ll have these memories already saved on your phone or social feed, there’s nothing quite like having a keepsake memory book to look back on when we want to remind ourselves of how little they once were. Not to mention, it can also make a lovely keepsake to gift your child with when they’re grown up, or even a sweet baby shower gift to give to friends or family who are expecting.

The best baby milestone books at a glance:

Best themed baby milestone book: Peter Rabbit Baby's First Year Record Book - Buy now on John Lewis

Best baby milestone book for colourful illustrations: Le Petit Baby Book - Buy now on Amazon UK

Best baby milestone book for personalisation: Memory And Milestone Book Personalised for Baby - Buy now on Etsy

Best baby milestone book for storing keepsakes: Baby's First Year Journal: A Keepsake of Milestone Moments - Buy now on Amazon UK

We’ve found some adorable baby milestone books that will take pride of place on your bookshelf. With beautiful illustrations to personalised designs, this is a book that’ll be treasured forever by parents, and your baby.

The best baby milestone books

Best themed baby milestone book

Peter Rabbit Baby's First Year Record BookJohn Lewis

This charming, Peter Rabbit-themed milestone book from John Lewis is perfect for those who love a bit of nostalgia, as it features the beloved characters we all know and adore. Reviewers love its stunning illustrations and detailed prompts; plus, there’s lots of space to fill in as much information as you like. They also raved about its timeless design and said that it’s ‘bigger’ than expected.

We particularly love the pocket at the back for storing keepsakes, with one reviewer commenting, "bought this book whilst pregnant and have thoroughly enjoyed filling it in over the last 9 months. I like that it has an envelope at the back to keep things in, I've put all of her scan pictures in there so far. Beautiful quality and illustrations," but we recommend popping them into envelopes first so you don't lose anything.

However one reviewer commented that the pages are about the "expecting parents" and she said, it could be "a sensitive issue as some women are raising children alone."

Pros

  • Beautiful, timeless design
  • Larger than expected
  • Includes a pocket at the back for keepsakes

Cons

  • Reviewers mentioned it assumes it is for 'expecting parents,' so may not be suitable for single mothers.
Size: 28 x 25 x 1 cm
  • Peter Rabbit design
  • Pocket for keepsakes
  • Spaces to add images

Best baby milestone book for colourful illustrations

Le Petit Baby BookAmazon

Rrp: £30.00

Price: £26.49

This creatively designed pregnancy and baby journal is definitely for parents who love a unique gift. It was illustrated by Claire Laude and Aurélie Castex, whose work has been featured in many high-fashion magazines and on branding campaigns with huge brands. One reviewer said, "bought this book for a Baby Shower and the mum to be couldn’t have been more delighted. A gorgeous book and a beautiful format."

Everything, from the design to the content, is one-of-a-kind and thoughtful. The design oozes high quality – we love the fabric spine and foil-stamped cover, as do reviewers. There’s space for all of the expected treasured moments, such as ultrasound scan photos and envelopes for notes, but there’s also a pull-out growth chart, an astrological sign spin wheel, a family tree and more.

Some reviewers would’ve enjoyed a few more detailed questions or prompts and wished there was space for things like hand and footprint photos. Others also noted that there’s a lot going on, so those who prefer a simpler design might not get along as well with this option and some reviewers commented on the spelling of mummy with one saying, "it does say mommy instead of mummy, but it’s of high quality."

Pros

  • Includes illustrated pop out sections
  • Fabric spine and foil stamped cover
  • Includes a pull out growth chart

Cons

  • American spelling of 'mommy' and 'mom'
Dimensions: 24.13 x 23.5 x 3.18 cm
Cover: Hard cover
Number of pages: 90
  • Includes a pull out growth chart
  • Fabric spine
  • 90 pages

Best baby milestone book for personalisation

Memory And Milestone Book Personalised for BabyEtsy
Price: £31.99+

www.etsy.com

We adore the design of this book, and the fact that it can be personalised makes it even more special. It allows parents to detail every memorable moment, from ‘waiting for bump’ and the family tree to first words and steps and even their first day at school. One reviewer said, "love, love, love this book. Great quality, includes all the expected milestones plus more, and the personalisation on the front cover is a really lovely touch." Plus, the book is available as a hardback or with a luxury cushion cover for an extra fee.

Reviewers praised the book for its user-friendly layout, which makes recording your child’s milestones a relaxing and enjoyable experience. It is a more expensive option than others on the market, but its quality is reflected in the price. As this book is quite prescriptive, it might not be best suited to those who prefer a bit more flexibility, or want to add detailed description, but it will work well for those who would like simple prompts.

Pros

  • Choice between hardback or luxury cushion cover
  • Can personalise with baby's name on front cover, plus personal message on first page
  • Space to record right up until the first day of school

Cons

  • Room for basic details, no space for detailed writing of milestones
Dimensions: 21.6 x 21.6 cm
Cover: Hard cover or cushion cover
  • Can be personalised
  • Hard cover or luxury padded cover
  • Lasts from pregnancy to the first day of school

Best baby milestone book for storing keepsakes

Baby's First Year Journal_ A Keepsake of Milestone MomentsAmazon

Rrp: £15.00

Price: £9.99

This beautifully designed memory book lets parents document their child’s first year of life, including space for a family tree. It has plenty of space and pockets for keepsakes and photos. Plus, as this is from Annabel Karmel, five recipes are included to inspire you to make delicious food for your baby at various stages, including a birthday cake recipe.

Reviewers liked the month by month sections the book is split into, along with the helpful prompts and charming illustrations. However, some users found the prompts weren’t all relevant to their lives and that leaving space for some customisable ones would’ve been useful. Overall though, reviewers are pleased with the design and quality of the book and it does allow you to document a baby's first year with one reviewer saying, "great way to record all those things that happen in a first year of a baby's life. Right down from the small things that may get forgotten to the bigger things like first teeth and hair cut."

Pros

  • Includes five recipes for mealtime inspiration
  • Book is divided into month by month sections for ease of use
  • Includes a section for the family tree

Cons

  • Prompts not always relevant, but there are no customisable sections
Dimensions: 20.32 x 1.27 x 24.13 cm
Number of pages: 64
  • Easy to follow prompts
  • Includes space for a family tree
  • Five family recipes to try

Best value baby milestone book

This simple but effective baby milestone journal is the most affordable on our list, coming in at under £5. It would be a brilliant addition to a gift hamper for a parent-to-be and one reviewer said, "this book is so so cute! Its prompts / content inside really helped my bro and his girlfriend as first time parents who wanted to create a book with some memories to look back on but no idea where to start!" We really like its cute, no-frills design and structure, which reviewers said makes filling in milestones such as first steps, first words, and more, simple.

Some reviewers mentioned that it might not be suitable for all families as it specifically says ‘mummy and daddy’ – having more inclusive terms would be preferable. As it is a more affordable option, the quality isn’t as high, with some reviewers noting that the metal ring binder is a bit flimsy as one reviewer said, "he metal rings that hold the book together keep coming apart, which is a shame as it’s a lovely book."

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Simple structure makes it straightforward to fill in
  • Lots of space to add photos

Cons

  • The metal ring binder is a bit flimsy
Dimensions: 22.5 x 22.5 cm
Number of pages: 200
  • 200 pages
  • Includes space for photos and pocket for keepsakes
  • Simple structure

Best baby milestone book for customisability

Baby Journal And Record BookNot on the Highstreet

This gender-neutral baby book is perfect for those who find solace in journaling or perhaps would like to try it. It features a more traditional journal layout, with titbits of advice and quotes, along with lots of space to write down more free-flowing notes amongst the guided sections with one reviewer commenting, "plenty of space to write what you want, whilst be guided to key milestones. And love the funny bits in it too." We love the modern aesthetic of this baby book, which should please even the pickiest of gift receivers.

Reviewers loved the variety of the sections, covering everything from baby’s first days to their first birthday and beyond. They noted, however, that some of the prompts could be more flexible to accommodate differing family structures and experiences.

Pros

  • Available in a variety of colours
  • Includes sweet baby and parenting quotes inside as well as advice
  • Space to write what you want as well as milestone prompts

Cons

  • There are no pockets for keepsakes
Dimensions: 20 x 25cm
Number of pages; 52
Cover:Hard cover
  • Traditional style journal
  • Includes quotes and advice
  • Space for your own thoughts

Best luxury baby milestone book

Personalised Baby's 1st Year BookNot on the Highstreet

If you’re searching for something more visual, such as a photo milestone book, or love scrapbooking, this might be the one for you. A beautifully designed handbound photo book, it allows you complete flexibility and can be personalised to suit your family. One reviewer said, "absolutely stunned my album and personalised beautifully."

We also like the fact that it’s made from recycled leather, making it more eco-friendly. It is an expensive option though and requires a lot of creativity because there are no prompts and the pages are plain, however we think it’s one that you’d be proud to have on your coffee table for years to come, especially as it can hold up to 160 photos.

Pros

  • Hand bound book with recycled leather cover
  • Can be personalised
  • Beautiful selection of colours to choose from
  • Holds up to 160 6x4" photos

Cons

  • Pages are plain, there are no prompts
Dimensions: 23.5 x 25 cm
Cover: Recycled leather
  • Holds up to 160 photos
  • Allows for creativity
  • Beautiful selection of colours
  • Can be personalised

Best baby milestone book to give as a gift

Luxury baby memory bookEtsy

This baby milestone journal has a minimalist design and is another option that’s reminiscent of a typical journal – we feel calmer just looking at it. Its elegant design means it would make the perfect gift and would surely take pride of place on the mantelpiece for all to see.

There’s a handy contents page at the front, covering a broad range of milestone moments, everything from baby scan pictures and the baby shower to their first day of school. There are lots of prompts and ideas to keep you inspired, as well as plenty of space for your stories and photos. One reviewer said, "beautiful high quality book, perfect to capture big moments from birth to first day at school."

Reviewers praised this baby book for its high quality and beautiful packaging, and many buyers have purchased it again for their second and third children or as a gift for friends or family members. Make sure you don’t use marker pens or Sharpies, as they will bleed through the paper.

Pros

  • Attractive, simplistic design, with a hardcover
  • Over 100 pages to fill in
  • Plenty of prompts for inspiration

Cons

  • Sharpies/marker pens will bleed through the paper
Dimensions: 27.6 x 19.6 cm
  • Beautiful, simple design
  • Over 100 pages
  • Prompts for inspiration

First 5 Years Baby Memory BookAmazon
Price: Best baby milestone book with ink pad

If you’re searching for a two-in-one option, this milestone book comes with a clean-touch inkpad, meaning you can capture baby’s handprints and footprints with ease. You can also add a photo to the front cover to personalise it. It has sections for a family tree, pregnancy details, photos and more, and is available in three colours.

Reviewers enjoy the straightforward prompts and the clean-touch ink system, which keeps baby’s skin clean and free from irritation. One reviewer said, "my favourite part about this was the ink pad to get hand/footprints, as the system they use the ink never touches baby's skin! And the outcome is fabulous and a lovely sentimental touch." However, they also mentioned that the ink pad is quite small, making it challenging to use with older babies or those with larger hands and feet.

The section on the parents’ story could be more flexible to accommodate differing family structures and experiences, as it specifically states ‘mummy and daddy.’ Also some reviewers found the order of the pages a little odd, for example the 'my first prints' section is before the 'birth announcement' page and one reviewer commented, "it would make more sense to have the 1st Christmas page before the 1st-5th birthday and school pages."

Pros

  • Comes with an ink pad to capture handprints and footprints
  • Photo can be added to the front cover
  • Comes in a box with a plastic sleeve for protection

Cons

  • Order of pages could be better organised
Dimensions: 22.86 x 1.59 x 27.31 cm
  • Includes inked to capture hand and foot print
  • Clear, simple prompts
  • Photo can be added onto cover

Best unique baby milestone book

If you're looking for something a little different to mark your baby's milestone moments, then these elegant and adorable Dumbo milestone cards are a super simple way of recording your new arrival's firsts. Each time they reach a milestone, take a snap with each card so you'll never forget the day they smiled or crawled for the first time. Perfect for hanging around the house or adding to your own personal photo album and ideal if you struggle to find the time to sit down and write in a book.

Reviewers enjoy the quality of these cards but noted that they might not cover all the unique milestones that parents may want to capture and there is no space to add any special memories.

We've also rounded up a selection of the best baby milestone cards, just in case you're keen to check out alternative ways to mark your baby's major moments.

Pros

  • Great way to create a milestone timeline in photos
  • Could be added to a scrapbook or photo album
  • Beautiful timeless design featuring Disney's Dumbo

Cons

  • Doesn't include space for recording written memories
Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 0.1 cm
Number of cards: 24
  • 24 milestone and age cards
  • Timeless Disney design
  • Can be added to scrapbooks and photo albums

FAQs

What is the first milestone for a baby?

All babies develop differently, and therefore, they may reach different milestones accordingly. However, within the first three months of your baby’s development, there are lots of exciting milestones they will have, from their first smile to their first laugh, having their first bath, to making their first sounds and many more. We’ve broken your baby’s milestone’s down into month-by month-development, so that you can get an idea of what your baby will achieve during their first 12 months.

Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor and has been a writer for titles such as Mother&Baby and Yours. In her role, she has researched and recommended the best products for parents, from breast pumps to toys, nursery décor to car seats. She's also kept a keen eye on celeb mums and influencers to share what they've been using to help make parenting that little bit easier.

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