Baby showers are one of the best ways for new moms and dads to get everything the need to start off on the right foot. It’s also an important way for loved ones to show their support of the parents. It has often been considered excessive to have a shower for a second child, as mom and dad were likely to already have everything they needed. However, having a second-baby shower is still appropriate, if you make certain adjustments.
You might also make it a “baby” baby shower – as in a shower focusing on those small, basic items that are always going to be needed, like burping cloths, diapers, and other essentials. Another idea is to ask mom and dad to name the items they never received for their first baby, or that need replacing. 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. You can give mom items to pamper herself with, but that are practical, as well, like 5-minute facial masks and leave-in conditioner.
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. Obviously mom and dad will need some time for themselves, so a nice idea might be to get a gift certificate for an elegant dinner – with babysitting included, of course. You can also have a strategic meeting with the father-to-be and the closest friends and family of the mom before the party, in order to make up a helping hands calendar.
These can include cleaning house while mom and baby are in the hospital, taking the older child to school in the morning so mom can sneak in a little extra sleep for the first week, or scheduling a weekend for going to the warehouse club store or making a big grocery run. Mom will be delighted at receiving this calendar full of helpful offers, as well as the names and phone numbers of the helpers (in case of changes). Sometimes neither mom nor new baby needs any new items. A simple party, surrounded by loved ones, is also a nice way to commemorate the upcoming event.
You might also have the guests purchase baby items and then put them all together for a donation to a shelter or other charitable organization. Another idea for a second-baby shower is to hold a “freezer” party, with guests bringing food that can go in the freezer or else be easily stored. Mom will appreciate this help in the last days of her pregnancy and immediately after the birth. If having this kind of a shower, however, you’ll need to let mom know so she can see if she has enough space for everything, as well as choose a date very close to her delivery date.
Lastly, it is acceptable to hold a full, as-if-it-were-the-first-baby shower in the case of a “caboose” baby – one who, as the name implies, is being born several years after the last child. 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.
Regardless of the type of shower you are holding or if the gifts are large or small, remember that you are there to let the mom know that she and her new baby have all your love and support.
Hope you found our article useful, if so you might want to take a look at baby shower invitations, baby shower cake ideas and baby shower invitations. Much thanks and gave a great day!
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