A baby shower may be one of the most exciting and fun milestones in your first pregnancy. Nothing makes you feel more prepared to welcome the baby kicking your ribs then piles of adorable clothes, toys, gear and diapers. It’s generally accepted that you only get to have a baby shower for your first baby. Subsequent pregnancies? Tough luck. But are there exceptions to this “rule?”
A few scenarios where a second shower may be acceptable come to mind:
1. It’s been five years or more since you had a baby and you have already gotten rid of your baby gear.
Obviously if you have tossed or donated your baby gear, it’s likely this baby is a surprise and your family and friends will want to help out. You may want to have a friend or family member host a shower for you after the baby is born and call it a “Welcome Baby” party or something similar.
2. It’s been five years or more and you’re having a different gender.
Do you have a kindergartener decked out in princess attire every day? If you’re expecting a boy, he may not appreciate being swaddled in a pink polka-dotted blanket. (You’ll care more than he does, but still!)
The reason I specify five years is because people often spend a lot on gifts for baby showers. If a women has a shower sooner than five years, guests may either feel pressured to spend more than they are comfortable with or they might feel entitled to spend less and the guest of honor will still be left with a long list of needed gear. Five years isn’t a hard rule, but a lot of woman have children two, three, and four years apart – having a second shower at this interval might seem a bit much. Generally friends and family will give the new baby a small gift anway, especially clothing and toys.
3. It is the first baby for the spouse.
A woman may have another baby shower if the baby is the first child of her spouse, as would be the case if she were divorced or widowed with children. In this case, friends and family of the spouse will definitely want to throw a shower for the new baby, since they weren’t around for the mother-to-be’s first children.
What is your opinion on having a second baby shower? Can you think of any other exceptions where a second shower would be acceptable?