It seems like the average new parent takes around a million photos of baby in their first year (okay, that’s not an official stat, but we’re willing to bet). And more than 8 in 10 The Bump parents surveyed agree that looking at photos of their children strengthens their bonds with them—this is an official stat, from a survey we conducted with members of The Bump in partnership with Chatbooks. So why is it, exactly, that taking adorable photos of your little one helps you feel more connected? Read on to find out how family photos (and printed photos, specifically) can benefit both you and baby.

1. Printed photos are a great way to track and commemorate baby’s milestones.

Between all the diaper changes, round-the-clock feedings and sleepless nights, the baby stage seems to pass by in a blur. Thankfully, photos are a way to relive all of baby’s early milestones again and again (you can almost feel those soft baby cheeks and hear that first giggle). In fact, 71% of The Bump parents surveyed say looking at pictures of baby helps with better memory recall of their favorite moments. “[Looking at photos] helps remind you of the memories that you have made so far and also acts as a reminder of how quickly time passes and to be mindful and enjoy every moment,” Mandy, a mom to a toddler, says. But when you’re in the thick of it (hello, fourth trimester), it can be hard to find the time to pause and reflect. A subscription to Chatbooks Monthly Minis makes it easy and super affordable to print a photo book every month from your phone. That way you’ll always have a physical reminder of each mini and mega milestone to relive with your little one as they grow. (Pro tip: If your kid loves your Monthly Mini photo book a little too hard, Chatbooks will replace damaged ones for free!).

Buy it: Chatbooks Monthly Minis photo book subscription, $8 per book plus free shipping, Chatbooks.com (Use code BUMPIN for 50% off your first book when you start a subscription or 20% off a classic book.)

2. Sharing photos helps you stay connected to extended family.

In a time when not everyone lives close to family, photos are an excellent way to keep your loved ones up-to-date and make sure baby knows the names and faces of your nearest and dearest. Forty-two percent of The Bump users surveyed say they print photos to help build a connection between baby and extended family. “When I share [photos] with family and friends, it helps to feel more connected,” Arielle, a mom to a toddler, says. A tip to try: print photos of family from afar and point to each person while saying their name—you’ll be surprised how quickly baby catches on! And while printed photos are a powerful tool for babies, they can also be incredibly impactful for grandparents. According to the National Library of Medicine, elaborative reminiscing (or the use of elaborative questions while reminiscing about the past) helps to provide important cognitive and emotional benefits for older adults. If you’re looking for the perfect grandparent gift, try a photo book subscription from Chatbooks. You can compile your favorite photos directly from your phone into a customized hard or softcover book that the grandparents can receive four, six or 12 times a year. And if you wind up wishing that you had a copy too, simply create your own photo book subscription and add on a duplicate. That way, every time a book lands in your mailbox, a copy shows up on the grandparents’ doorstep.

Buy it: Chatbooks photo book subscription, from $12 plus free shipping, Chatbooks.com (Use code BUMPIN for 50% off your first book when you start a subscription or 20% off a classic book.)

3. Looking at photos of baby can help boost your confidence as a parent.

Raising little humans is challenging, and it can be all too easy to be hard on yourself and second-guess whether you’re making the right choices. But believe it or not, looking back at photos from your parenting journey can help you recognize what an amazing job you’re doing. Forty-eight percent of The Bump parents surveyed say looking at pictures of their child makes them feel more confident as a parent. When you reflect on how your little one has changed over time, you can see all the important ways you had a hand in that. “You gain confidence by looking back at how far you’ve come. You can marvel at how much your baby has grown,” Madeline, a mom to an infant, says. It can also help you remember how much you’ve grown too. Pro tip: For an easy way to look at photos of baby without getting sucked into more screen time, display Chatbooks Photo Prints in a highly visible location (like on the wall across from your nursing chair) so you can get all of the photo feeling goodness.

4. Sharing printed photos with baby provides a learning (and bonding) experience.

You probably know that picture books can help baby learn language and even bond with the reader. But who says some of those books can’t be of your own family? Showing baby pictures of their family, friends and even of their own adventures can spark storytelling, reminiscing and happy memories. It’s one of the many ways you can engage baby in conversation before they can even speak (which expands vocabulary, teaches social skills and more). According to Chatbooks’s research survey, 81% of parents say looking at printed photos together leads to sharing stories about their family, and 78% of those with older children say it inspires their child to ask questions. Looking at printed photos regularly is an easy mindfulness practice that families can enjoy together. With this in mind, the Chatbooks Memory Library (which you can explore in the Chatbooks app) helps you preserve and curate pictures digitally with new features to power even more forms of reminiscing.

5. Printed family photos serve as keepsakes for years to come.

As a kid, you might remember spending hours pouring over faded photo albums at your grandparents’ house. But with people snapping pics of everything from their breakfast to their daily ’fit check on their phone, that practice is becoming less common. There’s still an argument for saving those memories in printed form, however. “There’s just something comforting about actually having something tangible to hold and reflect on, a hard copy of a lasting memory,” Kimberly, mom to an infant and a toddler, says. And it can become a treasured keepsake for your little one (and maybe even their children) one day. Among The Bump families surveyed who print photos or albums, 78% say they hope to share them with their children in the future. For those magical, everyday moments (think baby’s first bath and early smiles), a photo book subscription from Chatbooks is a great way to strengthen your family relationships, relive your best memories and save your photos for future generations. And for special occasions—like first family vacations and birthdays—Chatbooks Classic Photo Books make for go-to décor that actually sparks joy.

Buy it: Chatbooks photo book subscription, from $12 per book plus free shipping, Chatbooks.com

Chatbooks Monthly Minis, $8 per book, plus free shipping; Chatbooks.com (Use code BUMPIN for 50% off your first book when you start a subscription or 20% off a classic book.)