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Writer's pictureLiza Nemchenko

Pros and Cons of having a baby shower after baby is born.

Updated: May 31

A baby shower that takes place AFTER the baby is born goes by several names: Meet and Greet Baby Shower, After Baby Shower, Meet the Baby Party, Post-Baby Shower, Welcome Baby Shower, and a Sip and See Party. And it makes perfect sense—they're so considerably more enjoyable than the typical baby shower—that an increasing number of parents are opting to postpone.



In many ways, hosting a baby shower after the baby is born is comparable to hosting a typical baby shower. There can still be games, and cake, and gifts. You definitely won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything!

So, why are so many parents deciding to have an after-baby-baby-shower? Here's the list of reasons that you might consider.


Make it easier for guests to buy a gift for baby.


Full-term babies might weigh anything between 2.5 kg to 4 kg, which is around five pounds and eight ounces to 8 pounds and 13 ounces. That makes a significant impact when it comes to your guests purchasing baby clothes. Most people will purchase the "Newborn" size, but some babies will be born larger and will only fit into the "1-3 months" size, leaving the "Newborn" sized apparel unworn.


Furthermore, some parents want to wait until the birth to find out the gender, requiring gifts to be gender neutral. Gender-neutral is perfect, but it may make buying more difficult for your guests.


Because of these uncertainties before the baby's birth, gift-giving has its challenges.


Plus your gifts may be more personalized.

It's not expected of you to prioritize the gifts. However, it's lovely when gifts are more custom. If folks already know the baby's gender, name, birth date and time, as well as weight and height, your presents may be more unique.


Your partner gets to enjoy the celebration.


Not only are dads and partners welcomed to an after-baby shower, but they are also celebrated. The traditional baby shower is essentially a girl's gathering. We'll unless you throw a co-ed baby shower.


However, a baby shower held after the baby is born may focus more around the family. Along with the mother and child, it can also honor the spouse or father.

Additionally, the parents may invite friends, family, coworkers, or anybody else they think is essential in their lives, regardless of their gender.


What a lovely, family-friendly event that emphasizes congratulating the family as a whole.


Your Child Might Arrive Before the traditional baby shower.


The Traditional baby shower may not occur before your baby is born.

It is suggested to have baby shower four to six weeks prior to the expected birth date.


But your baby might have different plans! Even thought most women are expected to have e full term babies between 37 to 40 weeks of their pregnancy, quiet often enough 1 in 10 babies do decide to arrive earlier.


The gender may be incorrect.


Even with knowledge and technology nowadays, you do get odds of the gender being being predicted incorrectly. Or, you don't even realize the gender is wrong until you give birth, and you're left wondering if you should return all of the girlie gifts to the visitors or just dress your boy in pink. Nothing wrong with pink, I think its one of the best colors! And I don't think it matters as much of you dress your kid in pink, it's just one of those things that got commercialized.


For Individuals who don't like beeing center of attention.

Skip the Traditional Baby Shower if you do not like being the center of attention. While the majority of the presents at a traditional baby shower are for the baby, the mother is the true star of the event, and all eyes are on her. So for those who do not like being in the spotlight, the After-Baby-shower woukd be ideal where the focus is on baby rather than you.


Reduce short notice baby visits.


Friends and family can meet baby all at once, rather than bombarding you in the hospital or squeezing in for home visits.


A new baby is such an exciting thing, and people will come out of their way to see them. But, if there’s a time and a place for it, and it’s definitely not when you’re in pain or cluster feeding in the hospital, or when your doorbell rings at home when you haven’t taken a shower in two days or when you’re pumping.


Set specific date and time when everyone can come and meet the baby. If your friends, family, and coworkers know there will be a baby shower after the baby is born, they are less inclined to pay you a visit in the hospital or drop by your house on short notice.


And here's the reason why you should stick to Traditiinal baby shower.


Party Preparation after baby is born, can get overwhelming.

Usually it's the parents themselves who host the event. With a new baby arrival and so much things to get used to and to learn, with lack of sleep the after-baby-shower party could be the last thing you would want to do. If you do although have someone who is willing to host and plan the party for you this will be the ideal situation.



You will feel more organized and prepared for baby's arrival with traditional baby shower.



If this is your first child, you are meticulously planning your baby registry and polling all of your mom friends on the must-have products. So, hosting a baby shower before your little one arrives gives you time to go through gifts and determine what you still need. Plus, it's fun to open the presents and anticipate your little one enjoying all of the adorable costumes and gadgets you'll receive during your baby shower.



Getting to show off your bump!



A few weeks after giving birth, you may not be prepared to dress up and wrangle a baby at a party. However, a shower before the baby arrives is an excellent opportunity to dress up and show off your pregnancy.


Finally, there are both advantages and disadvantages to holding an after-baby shower. On the plus side, it provides a time to celebrate the new addition to the family, receive additional support, and gather necessities that may have been forgotten. However, there is a risk of overwhelming the expectant parents, as well as the possibility that some traditional baby shower items would lose meaning after birth. Finally, the selection is based on personal tastes and circumstances, with the benefits weighed against the potential problems to provide a fun and stress-free experience for all concerned.


Let me know in the comments below what reason might make you concider having the after-baby shower celebration. Or if you had one was it a hit or miss?



















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