When to Have a Baby Shower
When to have a baby shower is a personal choice. It can be held anytime 4-6 weeks before or after the birth. Moreover, it can be held any day of the week and at any time of the day that is suitable for the mom-to-be, her family and the invited guests.
Traditionally, having a baby shower before the birth was very common. Today it is a matter of personal choice and convenience.
If the shower is to be held before the birth, then it is preferable that the gifts should be those related to newborn babies and in neutral colors as well as gender neutral.
Today it has become popular to hold the shower a month or two after the birth. It has its own advantages, like mother is somewhat worry free about her pregnancy. She doesn't have that large belly, so can participate in more baby shower games and other activities. She can eat whatever she feels like, unlike when she was pregnant.
Sometimes it can be more appropriate to host a baby shower after the birth if the mother is having a difficult pregnancy or her religion discourages celebrating the baby's birth beforehand.
Having the baby shower after the baby is born has other advantages as well. Now you can be certain that the gifts can relate to the gender of the newborn.
So as to when to have a baby shower, before or after is just fine, but it is a good idea not to hold the shower too near the anticipated birth date. Otherwise the mother's health may not be good enough for her to enjoy or even take part in the games or activities. Also, the baby could of course arrive late or prematurely.
Similarly, the next issue while choosing when to have a baby shower is to know whether she is a first time mother, or if this her second or more birth.
Baby showers before the baby arrives are great fun for first-time mothers to look forward to in the last month of her pregnancy. In this case the expectant couple (she and the daddy) can play and dream with all the gifts while awaiting their dream baby. For the second and subsequent babies, baby showers (also called sprinkles) can be held before or after the baby is born. The upside of holding the baby shower after the baby's birth is that gifts can be chosen by the gender of the baby and mother is more relaxed.
As per the old tradition, a baby shower is only held for the first baby. However, the modern view is that baby showers can be held for successive babies as well. Frankly speaking, it is a matter of personal preference and we have seen baby showers for 4th or 5th babies.
However, it is considered to be a good idea if the hostess can confirm and discuss with the guest of honor and potential guests how they feel about holding a second or third. If a majority of the people agree, you have all the reasons you need to go ahead with the shower.
Generally gifts for the subsequent baby showers are being targeted to more useful everyday items. Those that the baby may need and most of the time they are less expensive than for the first baby. However, nothing can stop you if you wish to give more expensive gifts on any subsequent showers.
My personal viewpoint is that a baby shower should be held for every baby. Moreover, showers are not just gift giving and taking rituals, but something more than that. They are given to bless and congratulate the mom-to-be and her family. But that is just my personal opinion, so go with what you have planned either way.
Baby showers are a time tested noble celebration. A social event and a good excuse for friends and family to get together and to celebrate the birth of a baby.
Moreover, in recent times pregnancies and deliveries have become quite an expensive affair. So this could help the parents financially as well.
© Copyright Randy Wilson, All Rights Reserved.
Randy has dozens more baby shower related articles such as Baby Shower Invitations and Baby Shower Games. Also has a blog: Baby Shower Planning.
MORE RESOURCES:
New books with local ties Seattle Times Faull, a former Seattle Times parenting columnist, and her co-author examine ways to expand your baby/toddler's mind, "working in synch with your little ... |
The Web DailyFreeman.com Kingston Daily Freeman 9:30 am Baby/Toddler Playgroup, for ages infant to 5 years old, Athens Cultural Center, 24 Second St., Athens. Children must be accompanied by a parent, ... |
Not Politics as Usual, Earl Loses Power and Back to School Patch For fall, many of their standard programs will continue such as baby, toddler and preschool story-times, and programs for school-aged children. ... |
 Cumberland Courier Newspapers | Myles of smiles for mum as baby wins model competition Cumberland Courier Newspapers The winner of each category, cutest baby, toddler and mum, will be announced on November 17 and feature in the December issue of the magazine. |
 Momlogic.com | Skinny Jeans for Toddlers: Would Ya? Momlogic.com Here's the latest skinny on baby/toddler fashion trends: skinny jeans! Yes, before kids are even potty-trained, they can still be on the cutting edge of a ... |
Warm up on cool days Calgary Herald A surefire way to bring smiles to everyone is to see a baby, toddler or young child dressed in a cute and charming hand-knit outfit. ... |
Revolution Foods and Plum Organics Partner With Kia Motors Presents YO GABBA ... MarketWatch (press release) LDBRAIN Entertainment EMERYVILLE, Calif., Aug 24, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The Nest Collective, home of leading baby, toddler and kids food brands, ... |
The Mother of All parentcentral.ca (blog) ... The Mother of All Parenting Books, Sleep Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler, Mealtime Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler, ... |
Miss America Brands Launches New Apparel Website Business Wire (press release) Developed by Miss America Brands, the recently launched website offers t-shirts, hoodies and accessories in baby/toddler, kids, juniors and adult sizes. ... |
Essentials Lists Kiddicare Confused about what you need to buy for your baby, toddler or pre-schooler? When you're getting kit for your kids, its often hard to know what's an ... |
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