Every pregnancy deserves celebration, but since the true purpose of a baby shower is helping new parents acquire gear and supplies, it's probably not necessary to host a traditional baby shower for second or third children.
Etiquette says that a baby shower should be given for the first baby only, and should be given by a non-family member. So, when a second baby comes along and a sprinkle invitation arrives, you might be a little put off at first. The family already has all the baby essentials.
If so, you'll be relieved to know that having more than one baby shower is completely acceptable. Not only that — 72% of Babylist users reportedly have more than one shower, according to the data, and we see the exact same thing. Typically this entails a baby shower for each side of the family or co-workers.
It is now acceptable to have a baby shower for a second or even third child, even if they are the same gender. Every baby can be celebrated and it's a great opportunity to get together with family and friends. However, the family having the baby should not be the decision maker.
It's the opportunity for you to see family and friends and celebrate the upcoming birth of a baby. Whether it is the first or fifth baby it shouldn't matter. Having a baby shower is a great opportunity to have a laugh and play games with the closest people around you.
A baby sprinkle is just like a baby shower but scaled down. If mom is on her second, third (or fourth) child, consider throwing her a baby sprinkle instead of a full blown baby shower.
A Baby Sprinkle is celebrating the second and third children and so the gifts are going to be different.
The name says it all: Instead of a bigger party where first-time parents are showered with gifts, a baby sprinkle is a more casual, relaxed gathering where the guests of honor are "sprinkled" with support and potentially smaller gifts.
Strict rules like “female guests only,” “the parent-to-be or their immediate family can't host the shower” and “you shouldn't have a shower for any baby after your first” were largely indisputable 60 to 80 years ago. Some people love sticking with those traditions, but with new decades come new flexibility.
Is it okay to have more than one baby shower? Definitely! Friends, coworkers and family are as excited about your new baby as you are, and chances are they want to shower you with gifts. Since it's up to others to throw the shower, you can have as many or as few as you like.
Traditionally, baby showers are given only for the family's first child, and only women are invited, though this has changed in recent years, now allowing showers being split up for different audiences: workplace, mixed-sex, etc. Activities at baby showers include gift-giving and playing themed games.
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. This helps to reduce the overall expense and alleviates some of the financial obligation of hosting a baby shower.
Who Hosts a Baby Sprinkle? Unlike baby showers, baby sprinkles are almost always hosted by the parents-to-be. If a close friend or family member offers to host, feel free to accept. But, typically, you'll be the one throwing your own soiree.
A baby sprinkle is a type of baby shower to celebrate a family's second child. Instead of a traditional shower, the gifts are often diapers, wipes and a few outfits since many families who are expecting their second child already have a lot of the gear they'll need.
As long as you RSVP your regrets on not attending, no, it's not rude. To just not show up at any party is rude. You might consider meeting up with the mother-to-be at a later date or after the baby is born, to visit and/or give them a gift.
While it's more and more common these days for children to be invited to baby showers, don't assume your kids are invited. There may not be events planned that will be interesting for children. Bored children can be disruptive; it's not their fault, they just have different interests and different needs than adults!
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.
Baby showers were once strictly for the ladies in her life, but this has changed in recent years! Now, showers can also include men and kids. It simply depends on the vibe you want to create and who the expecting mother wants to include.
What is a Reverse Baby Shower? A reverse baby shower is a party where family and friends of a new mom-to-be gather, but the new mom isn't actually present. The guests bring their gifts unwrapped and share what they purchased and why with the other guests before wrapping the gifts at the party.
The term “rainbow baby” is used for babies born after a loss due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or child death — the idea is that life can color following a storm. Hosting a rainbow baby shower can be a beautiful way of honoring the loss in the family while celebrating new memories that will be made.
Hosting a baby shower doesn't have to mean only including the ladies. Instead, consider inviting every close friend and family member to a co-ed baby shower. Co-ed showers include fathers, grandfathers, uncles, and any other male loved ones in the celebration.
BD can also mean Baby Dust – a good luck phrase meaning “I hope you get pregnant”.