Having a baby shower is a nice way to help new parents get off on the right foot with all they need. It’s a chance for loved ones to demonstrate to the parents that they care and are there for them. It has often been considered excessive to have a shower for a second child, as mom and dad were likely to already have everything they needed. However, it has become more acceptable to hold showers for a second baby, but with certain modifications.

You may want to consider having an essentials-only shower, having guests purchase those basic items that every baby needs new, like diapers, bottles, and bath accesories. You can also make a list of whatever the parents say they need but did not receive with their first child. You can also have a shower where the gifts are for mom, with guests bringing relaxing and useful items for her to enjoy during the last days of her pregnancy and after the baby is born. You can give mom items to pamper herself with, but that are practical, as well, like 5-minute facial masks and leave-in conditioner.

You might want to make the shower focused on mom, reminding her that she will not be pregnant forever with gifts like wine or her favorite hard liquor, or savory salty snacks she may have had to give up. Obviously mom and dad will need some time for themselves, so a nice idea might be to get a gift certificate for an elegant dinner - with babysitting included, of course. Another idea is to have a planning meeting with dad and the guests before the party, in order to schedule days and times where help is likely to be needed, using a dry-erase calendar.

These can include cleaning house while mom and baby are in the hospital, taking the older child to school in the morning so mom can sneak in a little extra sleep for the first week, or scheduling a weekend for going to the warehouse club store or making a big grocery run. Then, give the calendar to the mom during the course of the shower, being sure to incude all contact information. In some cases, neither the baby nor mom needs anything new. You can choose to commemorate the upcoming event with a simple party with her friends and family.

Optionally, guests can bring unwrapped baby gifts and these can be donated to a women’s charity or other organization that can put them to good use. Another idea for a second-baby shower is to hold a “freezer” party, with guests bringing food that can go in the freezer or else be easily stored. This will definitely help out mom in the last days before her due date and also those following the birth. Obviously, you’ll want to check with mom to see if she has adequate room in her freezer for al the goodies, as well as select a party date close to her delivery date.

Do keep in mind that in the case of caboose babies (a “caboose” baby is born several years after the next-oldest sibling), a full shower can be held with no impropriety. Many times, in situations like this, the parents will no longer have those “big” items anymore, or they might not meet current safety standards.

Don’t forget that the type of shower is secondary to the purpose of the shower itself, which is to show the mom that she has the love and support of her friends and family.

Thank you for reading our article, for more info check out baby shower games, baby shower cake ideas and baby shower games. Much thanks and gave a great day!