Is it ok to have multiple baby showers?

Question

Please help to settle a discussion my co-worker and I are having.

If a woman is pregnant with her 2nd or 3rd baby, is it expected a baby shower is thrown for each baby? For argument sake lets say each baby is 2 years apart. Does etiquette come in to play at all? Or is it whatever the mother’s friends and family feel like doing.

Thanks for the input!

Answer 1

i feel as tho as long as the mother is not throwing the shower or hinting around about one then there is no problem with it...especially if baby #1 is a girl and baby #2 is a boy....then of course there are going to be things u need, and besides a baby shower isnt just about the gifts to everyone...its about celebrating a new baby coming into this world! Its a lovely experience i think every mother should enjoy whether its her first or 8th baby lol...I only think etiquette comes into play when the mother suggests the shower herself.

what is up with all the thumbs down on every answer....

Answer 2

Everyone is different, but I feel that EVERY baby deserves a celebration.  If the mom already has all the necessities, then a simple diaper and wipes shower is fine.  

To me a shower is less about getting stuff as it is a time to honor the newest little miracle!

Answer 3

I personally don't think you should have a baby shower for a subsequent children, especially with only a 2 year age gap.

If family members really want to, then they will get a gift for the baby, shower or not.

Answer 4

I think if the woman's family wants to throw her a baby shower for every baby then why not? As for what is expected... I think the first baby should get a shower and then if the next baby is opposite s*x they should get a shower... for the same s*x most people pretty much have most of the stuff they need anyways, especially if they are close in age.  

Answer 5

I don't think it's expected that a shower is thrown for each baby.  I have two children and only had a shower for the first.  Personally, I think it looks a little greedy, especially when the children are of the same s*x, unless they are many years apart, like five or more.  I think all babies deserve to be celebrated, but I think it's more appropriate to have a "Meet the New Arrival" party instead of a shower.  If people want to bring gifts, great, but it's more about getting to see the new baby-so obviously it would be after the baby is born.  And when I go to a shower for a second or third child, I make sure to take big brother/big sister gifts for the siblings to be as well, so they don't feel left out.

Answer 6

its what ever the friends and family want to do, and mother

Answer 7

I have been to a few showers for 2nd babies, and I think it just depends on the situation. Sometimes people do it because its a different s*x than the first, or sometimes there is a really large age gap (I don't think 2 years would be considered that big). However I will tell you that at every one I went to, at least some guests did "whisper" about it being inappropriate or rude, but feeling like they had to come because of their relationship with the mom. Because most 2nd time moms don't usually have a shower, it sometimes comes off looking greedy. But ultimately its up to you.  

Answer 8

Typically you only have a shower for your first.  But if her friends and family want to buy her more presents for the 2nd and 3rd, that's great.

Answer 9

It depends on your view. Usually though the first shower for baby #1 is the biggest one. I have thrown 3 showers for my friend, one for each child. There is 18 months between child 1 & 2 and 7 years between child 2 & 3. I feel like a shower is thrown not just for mom but to also welcome the new baby.  

Answer 10

I think it's tacky to have a shower for subsequent babies.  You're already set up for a baby, which is the purpose of a shower.  It just seems like you're asking for gifts if you have showers for your 2nd, 3rd, etc.

P.S.  For the argument that EVERY baby should be celebrated...there are plenty of opportunities for a baby to be celebrated, and if this is really about celebrating a baby, you'd have a party AFTER the baby is born and insist on no gifts.

Answer 11

I don't think its an issue... it says so here...

http://freshbabyshowers.com/when-to-have...

Answer 12

I dont see a problem with it. I think every baby deserves to be celebrated. My cousin had 4 children, all had a baby shower. I showed up to every one, gift in hand and happy about it. now, multiple showers for the same baby is pathetic and selfish. But if someones throwing you a shower, youre not going to turn them down...that would be rude! a shower is a gift in itself. Now, throwing them for yourself multiple times is like saying "hey i need stuff, get it for me"  

Answer 13

I think that if her friends and family want to throw he a shower for each baby then it's fine...especially if it's a different gender. EVERY baby deserves to be celebrated in some way and showers are usually the way it's done.

Answer 14

In my family, we have a second baby shower if the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th baby was of the opposite s*x of the first 1-3 babies. BUT the second shower would be small, just moms, sisters, aunts and first cousins only. Maybe a close friend or two.

Answer 15

It's fine if someone is doing it for you... I had a friend who made her own baby shower for her fourth and it was obvious she just wanted stuff... and no one went.