There's no hard and fast rule, but many baby showers happen one or two months before the baby's due date. Throwing the shower sooner is fine, too; maybe there are scheduling constraints or concerns about the baby arriving early, for example.
A General Shower Timing Guide to Consider
After you enter the 32-week mark, it's perfectly acceptable to hold the shower if you are still feeling ready to party and haven't yet made it to 38 weeks.
Baby showers are typically held four to six weeks before the baby's due date—late enough that the pregnancy is well along, but likely early enough to avoid the baby arriving beforehand and disrupting the party plans.
Most people agree that anytime between 24 and 32 weeks (six to eight months) is the best time to throw a baby shower.
Some women prefer to have their baby showers in their second trimester as they'll be showing but also can still participate comfortably, but ultimately it's up to you and what timing works best!
Essentially, you don't want to have the shower any less than two weeks before the due date. Therefore, we would suggest that the best time to throw a baby shower is between 26 and 33 weeks.
In some families the ceremony is held when the mother-to-be completes her seventh month of pregnancy. It is believed that after the seventh month, the baby and mother are in a safe phase. In some families it is celebrated at the end of the eighth month.
While the ideal time to have a baby shower is when the mom-to-be is about 28-32 weeks, you really can have a baby shower any time that works with the mom-to-be's schedule. There really are no set rules!
Who Traditionally Pays for a Baby Shower? The hostess traditionally pays for the baby shower and its associated costs. However, the hostess can divide up the responsibility and costs by asking a few close family members or friends to co-host.
The short answer is that there's no "right" time — some parents opt for a shower early on in their pregnancies, while others wait until a week or two before their due dates. Ultimately, the timing of your baby shower depends on what works for you, your family and the person hosting the event.
As a fast rule, baby showers are often held at the end of the second trimester or early to midway through the third trimester — usually four to six weeks before the due date. Expectant parents who are having multiples may prefer to have the baby shower on the earlier side.
Traditionally, close friends, cousins, aunts, sisters-in-law, and coworkers of the parents-to-be have been the appropriate hosts for baby shower parties.
From parents to college roommates, and anyone else who plays an important role in the parents-to-be's lives. It's safe to say that those who weren't included in the initial guest list are the people you shouldn't invite.
The sixth-month mark, which is around 24 weeks, is a good time for an early baby shower. If you wish to make it earlier, then you can go for the 20th week and have a baby shower along with a gender reveal party. The second trimester is an ideal time if you wish to keep the baby shower at the earliest.
If you're worried that no one will offer to throw a baby shower for you (which is highly unlikely), talk to your best friend or a close relative and, if you're comfortable doing so, ask her to take the reins.
Baby showers are a time to celebrate the little one on the way and give special (and needed!) gifts to the mom-to-be.
How much should a baby shower cost per person? Depending on the venue and food you choose, you're looking at between $15-$30 a head for a traditional shower, again though, we can help you cut down costs and make this number more like $3-$5 per person.
Some communities believe that an unborn baby's good fortune may be washed away if the mother washes her hair before the seventh month of pregnancy. For this reason, pregnant women may be asked not to wash their hair until the baby shower (godh bharai) ceremony.
In the United States, most births occur between June and early November. Count back nine months, and you'll see that places most conceptions in the fall and winter.
Close friends and family members should be invited to the baby shower. You should always consult with the mom-to-be on the guestlist though, just in case she has any co-workers or friends she wants to add to the list.
Some moms-to-be experience a boost of energy during the second trimester, but as you begin the third trimester, you may start to feel a little more tired. One reason for this is that by seven months pregnant your belly has grown quite a bit, and it may be more difficult to get a restful night's sleep.
What Happens at 7 Months of Pregnancy? 28 Weeks Pregnant.
It's usual to host the baby shower when mum-to-be is between 28 and 35 weeks pregnant. It's the ideal time while she's still got some energy and has a cute bump. This early date also means that she can plan easily, exchange any duplicate gifts, and fill the nursery with gorgeous newborn baby shower gifts.
When to Send Out Baby Shower Invites. Invitations are sent out three to six weeks before the shower. This gives guests enough time to respond, and get/send a gift if they are going to.