Forever Photo

What to write

What to write in a letter to a new baby, to open when grown

Most people get stuck on the first line. Skip it. Answer these four questions in your own words, and the letter is mostly written.

Write a letter to a new baby with these questions

Your first three keepsakes are free. After that, plans from $4.99, paid once. See pricing

A grandmother in a rocking chair holding a sleeping newborn

Four questions to start from

  1. 1Who is the new baby?The name, the day, and whose baby it is.
  2. 2Tell me about the day the baby arrived.Where you were, who was there, what you thought.
  3. 3What do you wish for the baby?Whatever comes to mind first.
  4. 4Anything else you want the baby to have, for later?Stop when you’re ready.

Watch Ruth write one on her phone

She answers the questions, and Forever Photo writes the first draft. Press Play to hear it with sound.

0:00 / 1:24

A sample letter

Dear Ollie,

You were born at ten past four on a Tuesday morning, and I slept through it. Your dad called and I answered the TV remote.

By the time I got to the hospital you were six hours old and you already had opinions. You didn’t like the hat. You pulled it off, the nurse put it back on and told me babies can’t do that on purpose, and you did it twice more.

You’ve got your grandpa’s hands. Long fingers, square nails. He’d have said you were built for the piano and then bought you a baseball glove.

I don’t know who you are yet. Right now you’re asleep next to me on the couch, making a noise like a kettle. Whoever you’ve turned into, I hope you still won’t wear the hat.

Nana

Write a letter to a new baby with these questions

The same questions, one at a time. The letter arrives on the birthday you pick.

Your first three keepsakes are free. After that, plans from $4.99, paid once. See pricing