Having a baby shower is a nice way to help new parents get off on the right foot with all they need. It’s also an important way for loved ones to show their support of the parents. For some people, holding a shower for a second baby was not considered proper, as the parents probably already had most of the items they needed. It is now considered proper to have a second-baby shower, as long as certain modifications are made.
You could hold a mini-shower where gifts are limited to those basic necessities that are always needed, such as diapers, wet wipes, bottles, burping cloths, undershirts, and bath items. You might ask the parents to list whatever items they never got or need to replace from the first time around. Or, you can hold a shower for mom – instead of baby gifts, bring mom gifts that she will appreciate in the weeks leading up to and after the birth. These items can be both useful and a treat for mom, like extra soft slippers for the long night’s she’ll spend getting in and out of bed.
Your shower can be extra entertaining if everyone brings gifts that remind mom that she is also a woman – fun items like a comfy lace nighty or a yummy alcoholic beverage. You can, on your own or with other guests, purchase a gift certificate for a full day at the salon or some other special event – but be sure to prearrange babysitting, too. You might also consider sitting down with the father-to-be and the guests, prior to the party, to draw up a dry-erase calendar with offers of assistance to the new mom.
There are many things you can do that will be appreciated, like getting the house organized while mom and baby are in the hospital, taking the older child to and from school (especially during that first week) or helping mom and dad juggle kids while doing errands. Then, give the calendar to the mom during the course of the shower, being sure to incude all contact information. Sometimes, both the baby and the mom have everything they need already. You can choose to commemorate the upcoming event with a simple party with her friends and family.
As an option, ask guests to bring baby items which you can later donate to a charity or women’s shelter. Another fun way to organize a shower for a second baby is to have a freezer party where guests bring dishes that can be frozen or otherwise easily stored. This will be much appreciated by mom during the final days of her pregnancy and the days immediately after the birth. Be sure to check with mom first to find out if she has enough space, and also choose a date for the shower close to the delivery date.
Finally, if the new baby is going to be several years younger than the next-oldest sibling (a so-called “caboose” baby), you can feel free to host a full-on baby shower. Many moms and dads in this situation need to start all over again, as the big items might no longer meet safety guidelines – or may have been donated altogether.
And remember, even if the baby shower is a small one or doesn’t feature enormous gifts, the whole reason you are there is to simply show the mom that she and her new baby are cared for.
Thank you for reading our article, for more info check out baby shower invitations, baby shower cake ideas and baby shower invitations. Hope you have a great day!