Throwing a Shower for a Second Baby
Holding a baby shower is a fun way to help new moms and dads to have a smooth start to being parents. 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, it has become more acceptable to hold showers for a second baby, but with certain modifications.
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 can add to the gift registry those items which the parents did not receive with their first baby. 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 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. 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. Another idea is to have a planning meeting with dad and the guests before the party, in order to schedule days and times where help is likely to be needed, using a dry-erase calendar.
Some tasks that you could arrange for include getting the house organized and laundry done so mom and baby can come home to a clean house, helping transport the older child to his/her activities, or going along to help out on a big grocery or warehouse club 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. Or, consider having a simple party, featuring good food, music, and the mom’s loved ones.
You could ask the guests to buy baby items, smaller items like diapers and clothing, and then bring them to donate to a women’s charity or shelter. 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.
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.
Keep in mind that the main reason you are there, no matter what kind or how many gifts are given, is to celebrate the upcoming birth and show the mom your support.
Hope you found our article useful, if so you might want to take a look at baby shower invitations, baby shower pictures and baby shower favors. Please take care and gave a nice day.
