Capture happy memories of your baby’s early years on a budget with our top tips

THANKS to lockdown, it’s no surprise there’s a baby boom on the way.

But almost four in five families worry they now won’t be able to afford to capture happy memories of the early years, according to research by Asda.

Four in five families worry they can’t afford to capture happy memories of their kids’ early years

Here I show how you can document your baby’s first year on a budget . . . 

SNAP NAPPY: You’ve probably seen cute photos of babies next to milestone cards on Instagram. They cost around £15 at notonthehighstreet.com, but I’ve found packs for as little as £2.39 on Amazon.

Another sweet idea is to write your child’s milestones on a chalkboard, £2.50 from Wilko.

SAVE: Approx £12.50 on milestone cards

TOTS TV: Create a timelapse video by filming your baby each day, week or month. There’s free editing software online, including Lightworks and HitFilm.

Give your little one a soft toy to play with so you can see how much they’ve grown. Poundland’s £1 bear is an adorable dupe of John Lewis’s £19 version.

SAVE: £18 on a bear

Baby books cost around £20 on the high street, but you can DIY your own

BOX OF SPROGS: Make a memory box by covering a shoebox with a wallpaper sample from wallpaperdirect.com. It’ll last much longer than wrapping paper.

Baby books cost around £20 on the high street, but you can DIY your own with a £4 scrapbook from Hobbycraft.

SAVE: Around £16 on a baby book

PICTURE PERFECT: Infographic prints highlight special details such as your baby’s birthplace, star sign and birth weight. Etsy has lovely personalised options from around £7.50, but you can design your own with The Works’ A4 white card, £1, and The Range’s £1 rose gold alphabet stickers.

SAVE: £5.50 on a print

FRAME GAME: Frame your baby’s first pair of socks — use Ikea frames, 50p. Love crafts? Patch together a clothes quilt with a £3 sewing kit from The Works. Much cheaper than John Lewis’s £13.50 version.

SAVE: £10.50 on a sewing kit

• Prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Top swap

I LOVE this pink velvet storage stool from next.co.uk, but it’s £55.

That’s why I was pleased to discover Aldi’s sell-out version is back in stores next week at just £24.99.

SAVE: £30.01