You are twenty-six weeks pregnant now. Next week you will start your third trimester. You may have most of your baby’s items purchased, or you may still be scrambling to purchase everything. Many moms will have a baby shower before baby’s arrival. Customarily, baby showers are hosted by a good friend or a coworker of the mom to be, but having a family member host your baby shower is okay too. Most baby showers are given a month or two before baby’s birth; however, it is not uncommon to have a baby shower after the baby is born. Traditions for baby showers vary from place to place. In this week’s newsletter, we are going to talk about baby showers and baby shower etiquette. We will try to answer your baby shower questions and also give you some fun ideas for things to do at your baby shower.
What Is Going on with Mom & Baby
Baby is about the size of a cabbage!
Baby: Baby’s crown to rump length is around 24 cm. (about the size of a head of cabbage). Your baby weighs about 850-1000 grams (1.8-2.2 pounds). Up until now your baby’s eyes have been closed. Her eyelids were fused together, but this week they will separate into upper and lower eyelids so that she can open her eyes. She really can’t see a lot inside the womb but the optic nerve is beginning to function. She may even be able to detect light if it is shined at your abdomen.
Mom: You may be getting more uncomfortable now. Your baby still has room to move around, so you may feel lots of kicking inside your belly. As she gets a little bigger, the kicking may slow down. You may notice your shortness of breath as your baby grows and puts more pressure on your rib cage.
This Week’s Pregnancy Checklist
- Make sure you have your doctor’s emergency number on hand if you should need it.
- Keep your scheduled appointments with your doctor or midwife.
- Talk to your health provider and your partner about your birth plan.
- Purchase or decide on birth announcements.
- Discuss with your partner who will be in the room with you when you deliver your baby.
- Take a new belly picture for your scrapbook or journal.
Baby Shower Etiquette
Here are some answers to common questions about baby shower etiquette:
Who should host the baby shower?
This depends on whom you ask. Traditionally, someone other than family should host the baby shower, but nowadays anyone but mom is pretty much okay. You should not ask someone to host your baby shower. It may put the person in an awkward position if she is not interested or cannot commit to hosting a baby shower.
When should the baby shower be held?
Most women have their baby showers during the third trimester, a month or two before baby’s birth. Another alternative is a welcome baby shower, which is given after baby is born. Some women like this better because it gives everyone an opportunity to meet the baby.
Who should be invited?
Usually the host will consult the mom-to-be about the guest list. You can invite anyone to the shower, but some ladies would prefer to not have men at the baby shower. Not everyone feels this way, and some moms-to-be would prefer their partners and male friends be included.
Are baby showers just for first-time moms?
Again this depends on whom you ask. Some will argue that second-time moms do not really need a baby shower, but there is nothing wrong with throwing a shower for a second or even third-time mom.
What about thank you cards?
Make sure to work on a list of what was given and who gave it to you. If the host does not help with this, find someone to sit beside you at the baby shower and record your gifts. You should try to send out thank you notes within three months of receiving a gift, but if for some reason you are late, don’t worry. It is never too late to send a thank you card.
Baby Shower Games & Ideas
One of the things moms enjoy most at a baby shower is playing baby shower games. Here are a few ideas for games to play at your baby shower.
Baby Shower Bingo
Make your own bingo cards with different baby items on them such as baby lotion, diapers, or pacifiers. Then fill up a basket with sample baby items. As you announce the items in the basket, everyone can play bingo.
Baby Price is Right
Baby Price is Right is fun and easy. Gather up the prices on common baby care items. Then have everyone try to guess the price. The one with the closest price wins.
Diaper Toss
Get a plastic bucket and play diaper toss. Use a baby doll and a diaper. Have each guest change the baby’s diaper and toss it in the pail. The guest who changes the diaper the fastest and tosses it into the pail wins.
Baby Dust Toss
Get a feather duster and at the end of the shower, gather up all the moms who would like some baby dust. Toss the feather duster in the air and let them catch it. This is sort of like tossing the bouquet at your wedding.
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