Baby Books, Apps, or Templates? What Actually Works for Busy Mums
If you’ve ever tried to keep up with a baby book and found yourself falling behind by month three, you’re not alone. Between the sleepless nights, the endless nappy changes, and the ever-growing camera roll, most of us don’t have the time or headspace to sit down with scissors and glue.
That’s exactly why Wildfolk exists. But how do our memory book templates compare to traditional baby books or baby book apps? Let’s take a look.
Traditional Baby Books
Price range: $50 to $120
Format: Hardcover or spiral-bound, usually 40 to 60 pages
These are the books we all recognise. Sweet designs, printed prompts, and pages ready to be filled in with your neatest handwriting. They look beautiful on a shelf, and there’s something nostalgic about them - but they come with a few common challenges.
What’s not included:
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Flexibility. You’re stuck with the questions, layout, and design.
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Digital backup. If it gets damaged, it’s gone.
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Time. Writing by hand and printing photos can be a huge barrier for tired parents.
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Space for video. Those giggles and wobbly first steps deserve more than just a line of text.
Traditional books are lovely, but they’re not built for real life today.
Baby Book Apps
Price range: Free to $15 per month
Format: Mobile app or web-based platform
Printing cost: $50 to $300 per printed book, depending on size, binding, and number of entries/photos
Baby book apps are designed for convenience. You can upload photos, record milestones, and sometimes even generate a printed book. They often sync with your phone and allow you to create timelines or receive reminders to add updates.
While some families love the automation, others find the experience clunky or overly structured.
What’s not included:
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Design freedom. Most apps limit how pages look or how you tell your story.
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A one-time purchase. Many apps require ongoing subscriptions or in-app purchases to access your content.
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Emotional connection. Sometimes, filling out an app feels more like ticking boxes than capturing real memories.
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Ownership. If you stop paying or the app shuts down, your memories might disappear with it.
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Transparent pricing. Printing often comes as a surprise add-on, and can be expensive.
Apps can be helpful, but they’re not always personal or lasting.
Wildfolk Memory Books
Price range: $19 (individual) to $64 (bundle) one-time purchase
Format: Digital Canva template, printable or digital
Printing cost: Typically $30 to $70 through Canva Print (depending on size, cover, and page count)
Wildfolk templates are designed with modern families in mind. They are 100 percent customisable, drag-and-drop friendly, and easy to complete in small windows of time. Whether you want to include hundreds of photos, type a few thoughts on the go, or create something truly beautiful to print, the choice is yours.
Every template is designed in Canva to make memory keeping faster, easier, and less overwhelming. But the goal is never just to fill out a digital file. These books are made to be held — to live on your coffee table, your bookshelf, or in your child’s hands one day.
When you're ready to print, the process is beautifully simple. You can order a softcover or hardcover copy directly through Canva, without any extra uploads or tech stress. No design experience needed — just your memories, made tangible.
What’s included:
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Prompts that feel thoughtful, not overwhelming
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Sections for letters, milestones, seasonal reflections, and stories
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Easy space for both photos and video (via QR codes)
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No time limits, subscriptions, or app logins
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A finished product you can print, save, or return to anytime
What’s not included:
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Pressure to do it all at once
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The guilt of an unfinished baby book
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Features you’ll never use
- Printing is not included with your template purchase
The Bottom Line
There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to memory keeping. Traditional books have their charm. Apps have their convenience. But if you’re looking for a flexible, creative, and actually achievable way to preserve your family memories, Wildfolk might just be the sweet spot.
You can try a free 10-page sample and see how it feels. No pressure. Just a beautiful space to start remembering.