I'm really interested in hosting a sip and see after we have our baby, not only to celebrate the new baby but because we will be moved into a new place before baby arrives. Our due date is December 8, and we will most likely have to have a C-section because of a skin condition baby might have inherited (long story about that, but insurance won't cover that testing and we'd rather be safe than sorry).
I was mostly wanting any advice from other moms who have had sip and sees, about how soon after baby was born did you have it? Is it considered tacky for the parents-to-be to host it since it isn't done for the purpose of receiving gifts? What kind of sip and sees are more popular, full out parties, drop ins, brunch, etc.?Mostly just looking to see what other moms did and what did/didn't work for them, but also interested in hearing from anyone who has ideas or advice to share. Also kind of worried about having one with baby being born during flu season and the fact that I'll be having a C-section, so any advice on how to navigate those things would be helpful.
Re: Hosting a sip and see?
So personally, if you can get away with waiting until flu season is over and your comfortable having baby being held, I'd do it then. You'd have optimal recovery time and at that point, baby would have had its first round of vaccines.
Big Bro 7/14/13
Little Bro 2/6/17
Also, keep it simple. Ours wasn't a party in any way shape or form and the people who came, the came, met DS, hung out for a bit, then left. We offered them drinks but I don't even think we had food. If you're making it more of an official party, yes, I'd have something to munch on.
BUT you're going to be a new mom of a new baby. Keep it simple, keep your expectations low, and realize that you really don't know what you'll feel up to.
If your goal is the first, maybe pick a two-hour window just after the holidays and have an open house. I think that if you do it earlier than that, you'll be physically and emotionally uncomfortable. If you do it any later, close friends and relatives will probably want to come even before the sip'n'see because they'll be excited and won't want to wait so long to meet the baby. So, provide some light snacks, drinks, and people can come meet the baby, hear your story, take a peek at your new place, then go on about their day. In this situation, you'll still be recuperating and need to take it easy, so you should remain parked in a chair near the baby while your H plays host.
If your goal is the second, maybe wait until later in the winter or early spring and have a bigger thing that's more like a housewarming party. The down side of this is that close friends and family probably aren't going to wait until the baby is 3 months old to meet him/her. You'll still have people coming over in the early weeks, and you'll have to figure out how to handle their visits. But, on the upside, you'll be recovered and able to really be the hostess at the party.
I just feel that the new place will be a lot more comfortable for our family to entertain guests than the hospital will be, and we don't want tons of people in our hospital room. So I think the best way to say, "No, we don't want anyone at the hospital but we still want you to meet the baby" is the sip and see. Our parents, grandparents, and siblings will most likely drop by the hospital to visit, but I really mean for more of our extended family and friends, if that makes sense?
If you would be uncomfortable with people attending who haven't had the flu shot, don't have the party.
Big Bro 7/14/13
Little Bro 2/6/17
Just curious: are you having the sip and see in addition to a baby shower or in place of it?