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.

---

Baby Nursery Furniture

You are expecting your first baby and are wondering what type of nursery furniture you will need to make your life easier and your little one comfortable. You will find that there are... Read More

Baby Shower for Mom and the Ladies

Baby Shower for Moms who just wanna have fun! This type of baby shower is not the only type of shower given today. Traditionally, baby showers have been thrown for mommy-to-be and the... Read More

Baby Gift Guide

Having a baby is one of the most amazing things than any couple can possibly do. The parents look at their child and see a little living, breathing miracle. Therefore it is only... Read More

Baby Shower Recipes

Baby shower recipes are available on the Internet and in various cook books. It is a great idea to have a wide variety of snacks, drinks, and desserts since people enjoy so many... Read More

Baby Shower for Twins (Or More) Peas in a Pod

Baby shower for twins or multiples can be given when the mother-to-be is expecting twins or more. Having twins is twice as nice. But it's also twice as much work and twice as... Read More

Baby Bedding

When you choose a baby bedding, choose the one which can guarantee optimum baby bedding safety and coziness to your baby. The best fabric for the baby would be 100 percent cotton. Below... Read More

How to Choose a Diaper Pail for Disposable Diapers

When you have already made the decision not to use cloth diapers, your next decision will be how to choose a diaper pail for disposable diapers.To some degree, cloth diapers will give off... Read More

How to Find Those Elusive Baby Gifts That Are Just Right

Baby Gifts from gift certificates to very expensive toys. Something for every budget and taste. Gift certificates can be purchased at many different merchants.Mothers would appreciate some larger sized clothes also. Say sizes... Read More

Colic Baby Bootcamp - Parent Survival Tips

Surviving a baby with colic truly deserves an award of some sort. The relentless screaming can really drive you to the edge.Unfortunately for the parents of a colic baby, most of... Read More

Potty Training Facts

Potty training, toilet training, toilet teaching or toilet learning are names frequently used to describe how kids learn to use the bathroom independently.Children who are potty training or ready to potty train will:?... Read More

Potty Training At Daycare and Preschool

With 61% of children between the ages of birth and 6 years in daycare, it's important that parents work closely with their child's care provider while potty training. When you child is ready... Read More

Family Baby Showers

The addition of baby number 2, 3, or 10 is an occasion to celebrate for any family.Just think how exciting it must be for your littlest one who is used to always being... Read More

Language Development In Your Baby

From birth to one year your baby will go from crying to cooing to talking. Those are amazing milestones for your baby to accomplishment in such a short period of time as he... Read More

Scrapbooking the Dizzying Movies of Toddlers

Toddlers are highly energetic life forces. Between infancy and kindergarten school days, your toddler is often fully involved in massive actions and activities. Sometimes, your kid hardly let you slow down enough to... Read More

Should a Toddler Wear Pull-Ups While Potty Training

As a parent, you've learned a lot while your child moved from being an infant, to crawling, to the mobile stage of an active toddler. Now that they are older, and able to... Read More

What to Look For When Choosing Baby Furniture

If you're a new parent, be aware that you baby will probably spend more time in the nursery than anywhere else. So you do need to make it absolutely safe and comfortable. Make... Read More

Baby Gift Registry

A furniture gift registry helps us streamline to the best choice. Through an online gift registry, parents can find out exactly what is required for their baby. The guests could also use the... Read More

Why You Need to Teach Your Baby How To Swim

Many parents are discovering the art of teaching their baby to swim. Not only is it fun for your baby to swim, bond with you, and play with other babies, it is a... Read More

How to Choose a Car Seat That Meets The Needs of Your Baby

There are many types of car seats available on the market today. In order to be able to make an informed decision it is best to check out car seat manufacturers. You can... Read More

When To Start Teaching Your Baby (1)

When is it that I should start teaching my baby? That is a question that may come to mind for many first time parents; other parents may never consider the question at all,... Read More

Tips To Get Your Child To Stop Using A Pacifier

Limit the time you allow your child to use a pacifier.Use it only for sleep time and comfort until about 12 months old and then plan to give it up.Never use punishment or... Read More

Learning Activities For Your Baby

Books and Babies - For babies from age 6 weeks to 1 year Sharing books is a way to have fun with your baby and to start him on the road to becoming... Read More

A Surprise Baby Shower Can Be the Perfect Way to Celebrate

Throwing a surprise baby shower doesn't have to be difficult. In fact, it can be fun for all involved. All it takes is a little patience, a few basic steps, and the cooperation... Read More

Babies Born With A Cleft Palate Or Lip

As many as one in 700 babies are born with either a cleft palate or cleft lip. Often these can cause a number of related problems including glue ear, crooked teeth and hearing... Read More

Potty Training Techniques That Dont Work

Your attitude and actions have a huge impact on your child's potty training success. The following potty training techniques don't work and should never be done:Punishing your child for accidentsMaking your child wear... Read More

Baby Girl Clip Art

The online baby girl clip art images help you to design attractive invitation cards and e-greetings easily. The World Wide Web is a great storehouse of information on any subject matter (we too... Read More

Childrens Bedroom Furniture - Three Mothers Share Their Buying Habits

Just two months ago, a group of mothers from three generations (Gen Y, Gen X and Baby Boomer demographics) shared their buying habits with retailers and manufacturers on purchasing childrens bedroom furniture and... Read More

Basic Guide To Choosing Toys For Babies

A baby's only activities until the age of two months are sleeping and eating. He is not interested in anything else. After two months, the baby starts being more curious about the world... Read More

How Much TV Is Too Much For Your Toddler

At least one third of households have their TV turned on all the time. This I can understand. But would you believe one in four children under the age of 2 have a... Read More