How to start a Baby Keepsake Collection

From the very first onesie to that first lock of hair, your baby’s earliest days are filled with little moments that deserve to be remembered. Starting a baby keepsake collection is a beautiful way to preserve those memories — not just for you, but for your child to look back on one day with wonder and joy.

If you’ve been wondering where to begin, we’re here to help you build a meaningful collection that blends sentimentality, style, and tradition.

Why Start a Baby Keepsake Collection?

Life with a new baby moves fast. A keepsake collection gives you a way to slow down and capture the moments that might otherwise fade into the blur of sleepless nights and first milestones.

Whether it’s your first baby or your fifth, preserving special items can:

• Tell your baby’s story in a tangible way

• Become heirlooms passed down for generations

• Help you celebrate the milestones — big and small

What to Include in a Baby Keepsake Box

Here are some timeless (and creative) keepsake ideas to consider:

 Clothing

• Coming home outfit – Choose a classic, high-quality piece like a Feltman Brothers take me home gown or romper that photographs beautifully and preserves well.

• First birthday outfit – A smocked dress or creeper makes a sweet, frameable keepsake.

• Bonnet, booties, or blankets– Small accessories are easy to store and full of charm.

Tip: Stick to natural fabrics like cotton or linen for heirloom clothing that stores well over time.

Paper goods & printed items

• Hospital bracelet

• Birth announcement

• Baby shower cards

• First handprint or footprint

• Letters to baby (from you, siblings, or grandparents)

Photos & visuals

• Ultrasound photo

• First family photo

• Monthly milestone pictures

• Lock of hair from baby’s first haircut

Special mementos

• A favorite pacifier or toy

• First tooth

• Personalized items (engraved spoon, blanket, jewelry, brush etc.)

 How to Store Your Baby Keepsakes Safely

To keep your collection in beautiful condition:

• Use acid-free boxes or memory boxes with compartments

• Wrap textiles in unbleached muslin or tissue paper

• Store in a cool, dry place — avoid attics and basements

• Label items with dates or little notes so nothing gets forgotten

For clothing keepsakes like heirloom dresses or day gowns, consider framing them or storing them in a preservation box with silica packs.

Choosing Heirloom Pieces to Pass Down

If you're building your keepsake collection with future generations in mind, opt for timeless, high-quality pieces that are made to last.

Feltman Brothers garments are a perfect choice for this. Our hand-embroidered dresses, day gowns, and rompers are designed with vintage charm and classic craftsmanship — the kind of pieces you’ll proudly pass down to grandchildren one day.

 Final Thought

Starting a baby keepsake collection isn’t about saving everything — it’s about choosing the moments that matter most and preserving them with love. Whether it’s a soft bonnet worn on the first day home or a handwritten note you tuck into a keepsake box, each piece adds a stitch to your family’s story.

Ready to start your keepsake collection?

Explore Feltman Brothers’ heirloom baby clothing — crafted to be loved now, and treasured forever >