Baby Notebook vs. The Short Years Baby Book: Find the Perfect Fit for Your Little One (in a Flash!)
We know you need to figure this out STAT and move on to the other 739 decisions you need to make before your little peanut arrives.
That’s why we’ve put together this Baby Notebook vs. The Short Years Baby Book side-by-side comparison with everything you need to know to make choosing the perfect baby book quick and easy.
So let’s get started
The Short Years Baby Book vs. Baby Notebook
Both baby books are great for busy parents, and they both use a digital app to allow you to capture memories of your baby’s first year right on your phone.
In each case, you’ll use structured prompts to guide you in capturing the most important moments, helping ensure you never miss an important milestone because you’re too crunched for time…too exhausted…or just plain suffering from a serious case of “mommy brain.” 😴
No, I’m sorry to tell you, it doesn’t go away after your baby’s born!
When you complete your baby book, you’ll be left holding a beautifully printed physical photo book full of memories you can show off to all your friends and loved ones.
But there are some key differences you should know about.
I know you’re busy, so…
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison:
Yes (Capture memories through age 5 in your baby book with The Toddler Years).
Yes (Capture additional memories in a separate book)
If you want to create a customizable, heirloom-quality baby book on your phone (without a costly recurring subscription) at the lowest price…
…with the most photos, plus videos, hands and feetprint pages, and storage for precious keepsakes…
…that you can start showing off to loved ones as soon as you complete the first three chapters…
Then The Short Years Baby Book is for you.
Download the app and get started right now.
Still not sure which one is right for you? Keep reading, we’ve got even more details below.
Organize and Replay Video from your Short Years Baby Book
Playback your videos anytime you want from the QR codes organized and printed on your baby book pages, or in the app. They’ll be safely stored for a lifetime.
Baby Notebook does not offer a video option.
The Short Years Costs Less (and Doesn’t Require a Subscription)
The Short Years doesn’t require an ongoing paid subscription to create and print your baby book. In fact, you can build your entire baby book for free on the app before purchasing it to make sure you love it.
On the other hand, Baby Notebook only allows you to make your first three chapters before committing to their $6.99/month or $49.99/year subscription.
Which means, you’ll pay a minimum of $148.99 for your Baby Notebook when all is said and done. That includes $99 for your printed book and $49.99 for your subscription IF (and that’s a big if) you somehow finish your book in exactly a year or less. Otherwise, you can tack on another $49.99.
The Short Years costs less at only $129 for the book with $0 subscription fees.
With Baby Notebook, You Have to Wait to Print
Like most photo books, you have to wait until you’re completely finished with uploading your photos and captions from your baby’s first year until you can finally print your Baby Notebook Baby Book.
However, with The Short Years, you get to watch the book come together as you create it. When you purchase, you get the book and chapter dividers right away. Then, we’ll ship you your printed pages every time you finish three chapters.
Not only will you get a boost of motivation to keep going when you pop those pages into your book, but you can also share them with friends and family throughout the year.
In fact, 78% of our customers have a nearly-finished baby book (just waiting to receive the 12-Month and First Birthday Chapters) to show off at their little one’s first birthday party.
Now that’s sure to impress!
Add an Integrated Keepsake Envelope to Your Short Years Baby Book
In addition to photos, videos, and text, you can also add a keepsake envelope (only $11) to your Short Years Baby Book to safely store your baby’s priceless mementos like your ultrasound photos, baby bracelet, and a lock of hair from their first haircut.
This isn’t an option with Baby Notebook.
Hands and Footprint Pages, NICU, Infertility (and more!) Included with The Short Years
Every Short Years Baby Book includes special pages to capture your baby’s tiny footprints and handprints. In addition, you can add an extra chapter to document your unique NICU or infertility journey with The Short Years at no additional cost. You can also edit or even delete any prompt for free to make sure it’s a perfect fit to capture your family’s story.
Baby Notebook does not include hands and footprint pages, NICU pages, or infertility journey pages. Adding additional pages to the book to make space for these topics will require an additional cost.
Standard Photo Book vs. Heirloom Quality Cover
You should know that Baby Notebook looks and feels like a typical photo book.
But The Short Years allows you to create a baby book with a beautiful, traditional feel and heirloom-quality fabric cover with seven different colors to choose from.
Feature Twice as Many Photos with The Short Years
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that you’ll want to cram as many photos of your tiny punkin’ as possible into their baby book. After all, you’ll never get tired of admiring their precious chunky cheeks and drooly little grin.
That’s why we’ve designed The Short Years Baby Book to include more than 350 photos of your baby’s first year. So you never have to worry about cutting out any of your favorite pics of your babe.
With Baby Notebook, you’ll only get 182 photos with their pre-formatted book, though you can use photo collages or purchase additional pages to increase the number of photos.
Baby Notebook vs. Qeepsake?
Considering Qeepsake, too?
We’ve got you! Check out our Qeepsake vs. The Short Years Baby Book comparison for everything you need to know — fast.
Baby Notebook vs. The Short Years
By now we hope you have a clear picture of the differences between The Short Years and Baby Notebook AND that you’re ready to jump in and try out The Short Years.
It’s the easy baby book you can actually finish, on your phone – in just 5 minutes per week.
Each week, The Short Years app sends you a gentle nudge to document your baby’s latest memories, photos, and even videos.
Every prompt is specific and tailored to your child’s age, so you never get stuck wondering what to write. (We even have an AI feature that will help you make your notes and memories truly reflect the depth of your love for your baby.)
And you can customize or delete any prompt you wish, or even add a NICU or Infertility Chapter at no extra cost. In fact, with The Short Years, you pay one low price and get your book and all of your printed pages included — with $0 subscription fees.
In the end, you’ll be sitting with your little one in your lap, turning through a year's worth of treasured memories. Watching as your newborn grows from a baby into a toddler, one page at a time.
You’ve got this, Mama!