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. 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. It is now considered proper to have a second-baby shower, as long as certain modifications are made.
You may want to consider having an essentials-only shower, having guests purchase those basic items that every baby needs new, like diapers, bottles, and bath accesories. You can also make a list of whatever the parents say they need but did not receive with their first child. 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.
Another great idea is to have a mom-focused shower - but reminding her that she’s not just a mom, with gifts that are for her alone, like romantic perfume or a bit of sexy (supporting!) lingerie. You can also pool your money together to purchase gift certificates for spa treatments or an elegant dinner, though if you can prearrange babysitting, even better. 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.
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. 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. You can also just have a straight-up party, intimate or with many friends and family, to celebrate the upcoming birth.
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 of great help to the mom as she gets closer to her due date and during the first week or so after the birth. You’ll need to be sure to have this kind of a shower near the due date, and also let the mom know so she can clear out enough space for all of the yummy food.
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. In these situations, many parents will have donated or given away even the big-ticket items, or even if they still have them, they might need safety updates.
Don’t forget that the type of shower is secondary to the purpose of the shower itself, which is to show the mom that she has the love and support of her friends and family.
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