People Asking if I Am Having a Baby Shower

Baby showers are a fourth dimension to celebrate the picayune one on the way and give special (and needed!) gifts to the mom-to-be. But whether you're hosting a infant shower, attention, or are the expecting mom, y'all probably have babe shower etiquette questions.

No matter your role at the upcoming shower, the Newton Babe experts are here to answer your questions. We'll cover basic etiquette rules for the host or hostess, the mom-to-be, and the invitee.

Baby Shower Etiquette For Hosts And Hostesses

Who Can Have A Infant Shower?

Any parent expecting a kid! That includes unmarried parents, adoptive parents, and anyone in-between.

The virtually common situation is a shower for a meaning mom, so that'south what we'll refer to in this commodity, but we believe that baby showers are appropriate for anyone welcoming a new child into their life!

Are Infant Showers Appropriate For Second Or Third Babies?

Years agone, information technology may take been thought baby showers were only appropriate for a woman'south first child.

While some may still stick to that rule, baby shower etiquette has changed over the years. Information technology'due south now considered acceptable to have a infant shower or baby sprinkle for second or tertiary babies (or fourth or fifth!).

If that's the case, be sure that the expecting mom registers for exactly what she needs since the essentials for a second baby are different from when she was getting her business firm baby-set for the very offset time.

For a second or third baby, you lot might consider shifting the focus of the commemoration. Turn it into a special time with the mother-to-be and fewer gifts, or ask guests to bring gifts that go with a sure theme (such equally books).

Baby Sprinkle

If you (or the parentshoped-for) want a lighter, low-key party, consider throwing a baby sprinkle instead of a shower. This is a great option for the 2nd (and beyond) kid!

A baby sprinkle won't take all the bells and whistles that a baby shower does. The guest list is normally a little smaller, with simply the parents' closest friends and family members attention.

The gift registry is a chip different likewise. Instead of big-ticket items, the parentshoped-for are ordinarily sprinkled with diapers, wipes, and other baby must-haves. The parents likely already accept what they need as far as baby gear goes, like a Newton Baby Crib Mattress.

So if you lot've heard the guest of laurels hinting around near a smaller gathering, check with them to meet if a babe sprinkle is a proficient option!

Who Throws The Baby Shower?

The better question is "who shouldn't throw the babe shower?" And the reply to that question: the momhoped-for and her partner.

Traditionally, immediate family was out of the running as well when it came to throwing a baby shower. But now, it'south much more than acceptable for whatsoever shut friend or family member to throw a shower for the expecting mom!

Who Foots The Neb?

The host pays for the expenses of the infant shower. That existence said, co-hosting a shower with 1 or two others is a good style to carve up the costs (and the planning).

When Should The Babe Shower Happen?

For pregnant moms-to-be, baby showers typically happen sometime during the 3rd trimester. Around four to 8 weeks before her due date is a good time.

Holding the shower well earlier the baby's expected arrival gives the expecting parents enough time to fix the nursery with the gifts they received and purchase anything they didn't.

Y'all'll desire to take into account whether or not she has other showers, cultural norms, and how comfortable she'll be once her belly gets big subsequently in her pregnancy.

When Should Invitations Be Sent?

Traditionally, etiquette calls for babe shower invitations to exist sent 4 to six weeks before the political party. Send the invitations too early and guests may forget. Send them too late and they might non have plenty time to fix.

Are Electronic Invitations OK?

Pretty paper invitations are a squeamish touch, simply electronic invitations are a-OK to use, especially if you're in a time crunch or trying to lend a hand to the planet and cut down on paper.

Whatever sort of invite yous choose, include all the data guests demand:

• The mother's proper noun
• Date
• Time
• Identify
• How and when to RSVP
• Whatsoever special instructions, similar what to clothing or what to bring (in the case of gifts for a themed shower).

Information technology'south upwards for debate whether you should include registry data on the invitations, on a separate slip of paper within the envelope, or exit information technology out altogether, then use your discretion.

Who Is Invited?

Who is invited is entirely upwardly to the momhoped-for. Baby showers were once strictly for the ladies in her life, but this has changed in recent years!

Now, showers can besides include men and kids. It simply depends on the vibe you want to create and who the expecting mother wants to include.

Who Plans The Card?

The host typically takes the reins when it comes to planning the carte du jour and preparing the food, whether it'due south tea, hors d'oeuvres, or a light repast.

Still, it's a expert idea to ask the expecting mom if she has whatsoever preferences (did somebody say "pregnancy cravings?"). Also ask if she'due south OK with you serving refreshments that she can't bask, such as alcohol.

Are Babe Shower Games A Must?

A typical babe shower includes playing games, watching the female parent-to-be open up gifts, eating, and drinking. However, games aren't a must.

Some baby shower hosts and hostesses are foregoing the typical games in favor of other activities. Ask the expecting female parent what she thinks most games and what she would like to practice!

Should The Mom-To-Exist Open Gifts During The Shower?

Traditionally, opening gifts happens during the shower. It gives guests a risk to watch the mom-to-be open the gifts they brought and everyone likes seeing all of the tiny, beautiful baby things!

However, the baby shower tide is changing. Rethink the traditional souvenir-opening ritual if the expecting mom feels shy nearly it or if there will be lots of guests and lots of gifts, making gift-opening a long procedure.

Should Y'all Give Political party Favors To Guests?

If you lot're wondering whether or non you should provide party favors to your guests, honestly, it'south really up to you. Political party favors are a nice gesture to thank guests for coming, merely they tin rapidly become expensive.

If yous do choose to requite party favors, feel free to cap your spending at just a few dollars per guest. For example, a canteen of balm, bar of lather, candy bags, or trivial trinkets are good options.

Likewise, consider giving a favor that correlates with the theme of the shower. If you're throwing a "Mom-To-Bee" shower, for example, you lot could give a honeycomb bar of lather to the guests every bit a party favor.

How Long Should The Shower Concluding?

The pressure is on when it comes to hosting and entertaining your guests, so simply exactly how long should y'all go along the political party going? The typical amount of time for a baby shower to final is about 2 hours.

That gives your guests plenty of time to eat or snack, chat with the mom-to-be, play games (if you're offering games), and watch the momhoped-for open her gifts.

Another pick is a drop-in baby shower. If the mom-to-exist has a long invitee list, sometimes having guests "drop-in" betwixt a certain time gives visitors some flexibility and gives mom (or parents) more time to spend with their friends and family unit individually.

If you choose to host a drop-in shower, you tin can extend the length of fourth dimension for the shower from ii hours to iv or five hours.

Where Should You Host The Shower?

Baby showers can be hosted anywhere from parks to houses to churches to land clubs. Honestly, the sky'southward the limit when information technology comes to the babe shower location! Talk information technology over with the mom- or parentshoped-for and encounter if they have a preference.

If yous're hosting the shower with others, brainstorm with them to run into what you can come up with. Merely whatever you lot exercise, don't host it at the expecting mom'southward house (unless she asks).

She might feel like a host even though she isn't. The mom-to-exist may end up serving drinks or request guests if they need annihilation because it's her firm. And she'll experience pressured to brand sure everything is perfect.

Permit mom kick her anxiety upward and relax, just not in her own home!

Should The Baby Shower Have A Specific Theme?

Nigh babe showers stick with a theme. It makes decorating and planning that much more fun! Let your inventiveness run wild!

But if you're stuck and can't come up with a theme, here are a few ideas.

Rubber Duck

The safety duck is a timeless theme for a baby shower. Every baby will accept a rubber duck in their bathroom at some indicate. Apply rubber ducks equally decorations by having them bladder in a punch bowl or remainder on elevation of the block.

If the expecting mom is saving her baby's gender reveal for the big day, a safe duck is a expert gender-neutral theme for the baby shower!

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Accomplish for the stars with some other timeless babe shower theme! This one is more than simply a sweet lullaby to sing, and you can go all out with decorations.

Use stars as the background for the shower and decorate in gilt, white, silver, and pinkish or blue. The expecting mom will be over the moon with this theme!

Mom-To-Bee

Decorate with yellow and black and offering theme-related nutrient, like cookies shaped like a bee or beehive, and don't forget the honey. The mom-to-bee will love all your niggling touches and the shower will be the buzz effectually the boondocks!

What About A Surprise Infant Shower?

Surprise infant showers are not always a good idea.

If the expecting mom doesn't know that she's having a party, she might start to wonder (and maybe worry!) about whether or not someone is throwing her ane and how she'll go everything she needs for her baby.

That said, if you do want to throw a surprise baby shower, simply let mom know that something special is in the works.

She doesn't have to exist privy to all the ends-and-outs of the shower, merely just knowing that you're thinking of her and her baby will take some of the wonder (and worry!) off her mind!

Baby Shower Etiquette For Guests

What Should Yous Practise When You lot Receive An Invitation?

When you receive an invitation to a baby shower, the offset thing you should practise is check the invitation for two things: who is invited and when you need to RSVP.

Don't assume your kids or significant other are invited unless information technology says so on the invitation! Avoid a fake pas by looking at the invite before making plans.

The other thing you'll want to wait for is the RSVP date and contact information. Exist a considerate invitee and let the host or hostess know in a timely fashion whether or not you lot will be able to attend.

What If You Can't Attend?

If yous tin can't attend the baby shower, permit the host or hostess know and so soon equally possible.

Additionally, although gifts and treats are ever welcome, in that location's no need to feel obligated to send something. You can ever save your gift for when you become to meet the baby in person.

Can You Go Without A Gift?

Never testify upwardly to a baby shower without a souvenir in hand! That existence said, you're not required to buy a gift from the registry.

Feel free to shop around and cull whatsoever special souvenir for the new lilliputian 1 (and their mommy!). Information technology's also OK to become in with a group to purchase one of the more than expensive items on the registry, like the rocking chair, stroller, or crib mattress.

Lastly, consider bringing a applied souvenir — something beautiful but useful, like Newton Baby'south Breathable, Organic Cotton Sheets.

What Should You lot Talk Near At The Shower?

Once yous're at the event, proficient baby shower etiquette includes keeping conversation encouraging and lighthearted!

Avoid making comments about how big her tertiary-trimester belly is or bringing up controversial topics like parenting styles, birth methods, subject field, or breastfeeding!

You want the momhoped-for to feel encouraged and excited virtually the upcoming adventure with her new little one!

Avoid The Belly Rub

Not every mom likes to have their belly rubbed, specially at a party where in that location will be lots of hands reaching for it!

If one person starts rubbing mom'south belly, it'southward like a chain reaction then everyone starts rubbing her belly, which she may not prefer.

At the baby shower, try to avoid doing this simply to be on the safe side. Respect mom's boundaries and save the belly rubbing for another fourth dimension!

Don't Discuss Breastfeeding

Non every mom chooses to breastfeed, and that'south OK! Preference, health reasons, scheduling, and a slew of other things play a role in whether or not the expecting mom chooses to breastfeed.

Sometimes breastfeeding can be a controversial topic among parents, so avoid it during the baby shower. And sometimes breastfeeding tin can exist a touchy subject for moms.

Maybe this is mom's second (or beyond) time effectually, and she wanted to breastfeed just couldn't. It may exist a hard topic for her to discuss.

Remember, a infant shower is a time of celebration for the parentshoped-for. Keep the conversations lighthearted and encouraging!

Give Communication Afterwards

Some moms welcome communication, whereas other moms are tired of hearing it. Once more, keep the conversations calorie-free and encouraging during the shower.

This may not be the time to randomly offering whatsoever type of advice in regard to parenting, birthing, or any else.

While in that location is a time and place and for giving advice, a baby shower merely might not be it. Even so, some parents-to-exist volition ask for communication. And if that's the case, past all means, become for it!

Baby Shower Etiquette For Expecting Moms

Is It OK To Have More One Baby Shower?

Yes! If more than one friend offers to throw a shower, you lot can say "yes!" to all of them.

In that location's nothing wrong with having multiple celebrations to accommodate unlike groups: for example, you may have i shower for friends and coworkers and another merely for family unit.

What Can You lot Do To Help?

Your job equally the expecting mom is mostly to sit back, relax, and open gifts!

That said, it could be a prissy gesture to ask the host or hostess ahead of time if you can help with the food or let them know that you lot'd like to prepare minor favors for the guests.

What Should Your Registry Include?

Your babe registry should include a large diverseness of baby items, from lower-priced essentials (like spoons, diapers, and swaddles) to the bigger items, such every bit a stroller and your baby'due south crib mattress.

Having a large diverseness is considerate to your guests because it allows them to pick what they like and spend what they desire.

If you're putting bigger-ticket items on your registry, annals for a breathable mattress! Newton Baby's Crib Mattress is comfy, 100% breathable, 100% washable, and independently tested and certified for low chemic emissions.

What About Thank-You Notes?

In improver to oohing and aahing over the gifts your loved ones bring, your other task is to write give thanks-y'all notes for those gifts!

Your friends and family have showered y'all with dearest and baby items, and now you have the take a chance to limited your gratitude with a menu.

Make the thank-you cards as personal as you can, thanking the guest for coming, for their support, and for their gift.

Send the notes out soon later on the shower unless your infant makes an early appearance, in which case, it's OK to accept a few weeks to become your cards written and mailed.

To acme off great baby shower etiquette, give a small gift and thank-you lot note to the host or hostess of your shower, too! After all, they put a lot of time, effort, and heart into throwing you a sweet commemoration.

Can You Throw Your Own Shower?

Every bit we mentioned before, the momhoped-for usually doesn't throw her own shower. Sometimes, though, traditions are cleaved and new traditions are made.

But peradventure throwing your own infant shower isn't a tradition you want to start.

Lots of planning and preparation takes place when it comes to throwing and hosting a infant shower. And since you'll be around viii months pregnant at the time of your shower, it might not be the best idea to throw your own celebration out of consideration for your torso.

If no one has mentioned giving yous a shower and this is the reason you're thinking nearly throwing your own, consider bringing up the topic with a close friend.

In one case they hear that you lot're thinking about throwing your own shower, near probable, they'll be more than happy to host!

Should Y'all Give The Host A Gift?

Giving the host a gift isn't required, merely it is a nice gesture and the host would appreciate information technology. A bottle of wine, a gift card, or something personalized make great host gifts!

Whether you opt for ownership a host gift or non, always write the host a thanks note and permit them know how much y'all appreciate them and the shower they threw for y'all.

Virtual Baby Shower Etiquette

Virtual events have become commonplace in recent months. And having a virtual baby shower makes it a lot easier for friends and family unit who live far away to join the celebration.

If you can't have an in-person baby shower, a virtual baby shower is the next best thing. But as with any infant shower, in that location are a few etiquette tips to follow for a virtual one.

When hosting a virtual baby shower, gather the guestlist for the parents-to-be and send out all of the virtual invitations about two to iv weeks before the shower. Make sure to give the guests the address of the parents-to-be so they can send their gifts.

When attention a virtual babe shower, make sure you lot RSVP to allow the host and parents-to-be know if you'll exist able to make it. Besides, make certain you bring together the virtual baby shower on time.

When attending your ain virtual babe shower, go on a running list of who sent you gifts and who joined your shower so you can transport them give thanks-you cards in the mail.

Showers Of Love And Support

For the host and guests, a babe shower is a fourth dimension to show care and support. For the mother-to-be, it'south a time to receive them!

Follow our baby shower etiquette rules to help this important issue become off without a hitch.

In one case the expecting mom is outfitted with babe essentials like swaddles, a Newton Baby Crib Mattress, and, well-nigh chiefly, your encouragement, she'll be ready to welcome her new lilliputian i and all the adventures that prevarication ahead!

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Source: https://www.newtonbaby.com/blogs/pregnancy/baby-shower-etiquette

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