So I'm due with my second in February. My mom thinks I should have another shower and while I think it's sweet, it's not necessary. I also feel bad because the holidays would just have ended and a lot of people, especially my own family, are strapped.
I would like to do something for this baby though and have read from some of your posts about a Meet The Baby party.
How long do you typically wait to do this after baby is born?
Re: Meet the baby
We had a BBQ/Welcome Baby party when LO was about 4 weeks. We had to wait for the weather to be decent (he was born in April) to have a party outside. I have hosted a Meet the Baby party and the baby was only a couple of weeks old. They are not showers so guests are not obligated to bring gifts (although most will). They are not opened during the party (unless someone specifically asks you to).
BTW...most people do not ask to hold the newborn...this surprised me (I was ready with hand sanitizer). lol
It depends on your pediatricians recommendation- ours strongly suggests limiting contact with non-immediate family or bringing baby to crowded places for at least 10 weeks until the first round of vaccines- especially because LO is due in Oct. so we're talking about the beginning of flu season.
I wouldn't be comfortable having everyone come in my home during flu season with a new, unvaccinated baby for several weeks. A friend here or there, sure, but not a party.
Hmmm...interesting about the pedi who said to avoid exposure. Course maybe it is because I already had a child at home who went to pre-school...my pedi never said anything. I was aprehensive about sick people being around my LO but it never stopped us from having get-togethers or going out. We went straight from his first check-up after delivery (he was 4 days old) to a restaurant. I guess people just stayed away if they were sick...plus we had hand sanitizer available. One time my Dad was babysitting and he had a cold...he just wore a mask (kids never got sick). None of my kids were sick as infants...that all started later when they actually started touching other kids (about 2 years old). lol
If you wait until your LO is 2 months or older and you think everyone has already "met" him/her then I would forego even having the "Meet the Baby Party"...kind of late at that point. Course if there are still a lot of people who have not met your LO then go ahead and have the party. Any reason to have a party is good I guess.
My god, how do I get your friends?
People were SO grabby with DS. It still annoys me to remember how people just came over and tried to swoop him out of my arms, no hand washing, mid-nursing, whatever. It was all about them!