AND the answers to the questions everyone wants to know

When is the best time to hold a baby shower?

It is more traditional for the shower to be held at sometime before the birth. It is usual for a baby shower to be held perhaps a month or two before the birth. In which case it is preferable that the gifts should be those related to newborn babies and in neutral colors.
However in recent times it has been quite usual for some showers to be held a month or two after the birth. Sometimes this can be more appropriate if the mother is having a difficult pregnancy or her religion discourages celebrating the baby's birth beforehand.
Holding the shower after the baby is born has the advantage that you can be sure that the gifts can relate to the baby i.e. girl or boy.
In either case it is a good idea not to hold the shower too near the anticipated birth date as the mother's health may not be good enough for her to enjoy or even take part in the games or activities. Also the baby could of course arrive late or prematurely.

Is it usual for a baby shower to be held only for the first baby, or can one be held for a second or third baby, especially if say the first baby is a boy and the later baby is a girl?

Traditionally a baby shower is only held for the first baby, but the modern view is that baby showers can be held for subsequent babies as every baby’s birth is a cause for celebration. It might be a good idea if the person who is intending to host the shower asks the potential guests how they feel about holding a second or third shower. If most people seen keen with the idea then why not have one.

Gifts for the shower are best aimed at being the more useful everyday items that the baby may need and maybe not quite as expensive as those given at a first baby shower. For example diapers, bibs, bottles, formula, receiving blankets and onsies.

If the second or third baby is not the same sex as the original child, or if there has been a considerable lapse in time between the births the mother may not still have the original clothing and equipment it may be particularly appropriate to hold a subsequent shower, often called a sprinkle.

But please do remember that the idea of holding a baby shower is of course not just about giving gifts but is also a social event and it is a good excuse for friends and family to get together and to celebrate the birth of a baby.

Who should organize and host the baby shower ?

Traditionally the baby shower was thrown by a friend of the mother but these days anyone can hold a baby shower, including relatives and coworkers.

Of course more than one person can share the duties of throwing the shower, provided of course they can cooperate with each other.


I am having a baby shower held for me in a month's time and I am wondering whether or not it will be expected that I give shower favors to the guests?

In many areas it is not expected that you give baby shower favors although in others where it is expected then it will probably be an inexpensive item. The price of a shower favor would probably depend on the value of the gifts which you are expecting your guests to bring.
Check out with other people in your area as to what is normally done. In some areas it would be the correct shower etiquette to give favors whereas in others it will be sufficient for your guests to be to fed and entertained

How many people should be invited to a baby shower ?

The usual number would be between ten to twenty people or more. This will be dependent on the size of the accommodation of where the shower is to be held and how many people you know in the area. You may want to hold a small baby shower before the birth and another but larger one after the birth.