Dummies Guide To Having Your Second Baby Shower

A baby shower is one of the nicest ways for new parents to acquire the items that they need to have a smooth start to parenthood. It allows family and friends to show the mom-to-be how much love and support she has. In the past, it was often viewed as improper to hold a shower for a second child, seeing as the parents were not likely to need much, especially the “big” items. It is now considered proper to have a second-baby shower, as long as certain modifications are made.

You could make it an essentials-only shower, asking guests to bring items that are always needed, such as bottles (the nipples always wear out or get lost), diapers and wet wipes, and burp cloths. You could also ask the parents what they did not receive the first time around, and add those items to the registry. Some people choose to hold a shower where the gifts are for mom, with guests bringing items that she’ll likely need during the final weeks leading up to, as well as after, the birth. You can choose items that will be a treat, like a thick, sweet-smelling body lotion, or something more practical, like an extra-large handbag.

You might want to make the shower focused on mom, reminding her that she will not be pregnant forever with gifts like wine or her favorite hard liquor, or savory salty snacks she may have had to give up. The guests might choose to pool together to buy a gift certificate for something extravagant like a day for two at the spa or a fancy dinner – but be sure to include babysitting arrangements. Another option may be to sit down with the guests and the father before the party and make up a calendar (use a dry-erase version) with helping-out offers.

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). There are situations where neither baby nor mom are in need of any new items. 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. You might also ask everyone to bring small portions of prepared food that can be frozen or stored (this is known as a “freezer party”). 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.

Finally, if the baby is a so-called “caboose” baby – born several years after the next-oldest sibling – feel free to hold a traditional 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.

No matter what kind of shower it is and what kinds of gifts are given, don’t lose sight of the main reason you are there – to show the mom-to-be your love and let her know that you are there for her and her new baby.

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