SIP N' SEE....Have you had one or been to one?

shaunessa · February 2017

So I didn't want a shower because this is our 2nd and we're pretty much set. My mom wants to help co-host a sip and see with me, but I have no idea what goes into it. I'm reading articles trying to figure out what exactly goes on, but wanted to know if any of you momma's have had one or attended one. I'm thinking about having it a month after LO is born.

catem07 · February 2017

This is probably not the most useful answer, because I haven't had one or been to one...but I think it's just like a drop-in/open house party where people come to meet the baby. Not much goes into it--some decorations, some snack food, a few drink options. It sounds like a good idea, but you are at the mercy of the baby and how he or she is feeling that day. I also think a month is a little early--too many hands passing baby around.

SnarkasaurusRex · February 2017

The ones that I have been to have essentially been an "open house" type event. You invite people to come over in a given time frame to come hang out for a bit, and they're usually super casual. They usually provide some food options (I went to one that was a cookout) and some drinks. The amount of food you should provide would be dependent on the time frame of your sip-n-see...if you're inviting people over at a meal time, you should provide a meal, but otherwise snack food is fine. Decorations aren't necessary...I don't recall seeing any at any of the sip-n-sees that I've been to, honestly.

You are at the mercy of your baby's schedule, but, honestly they just sleep and eat at the beginning anyway, so it's not too big of a deal. My nephew slept through his entire sip-n-see in his rock and play, so we all just oogled him, haha.

Given the time of the year, I don't think a month is too early. If it were cold and flu season still, I would feel differently, but spring time is usually pretty mild for infectious diseases and the like. I'd suggest asking that people wash their hands before handling baby or having some hand sanitizer nearby. And also, it's totally up to you to let people hold your baby or not. At my friends sip-n-see she didn't let anyone outside of family hold her DD because she hadn't gotten her shots yet.

I've thought about doing a sip-n-see this time around, but I haven't decided yet. I live a little far away from the majority of family and friends that would want to attend, so I'd probably wind up having to see if my MIL would be open to hosting it at her house. IDK...I figure I still have plenty of time to figure it out, haha.

twistsandturnsto2 · February 2017

I'm planning to do one, but have never been to one myself, ha ha. That being said- I'm going for an easy day, drop in type party. My mom is going to help plan and decorate. I'm thinking of just getting some simple food trays from Costco, have a few drink options (a n/a punch, beer, wine, and bubbles) and just go from there. If folks show up while baby is napping or eating- they can just wait and visit!

And im thinking of 3-4 weeks or so after my DD as well. By then, FX we are in a bit of a groove.

I felt pretty isolated with DS when he was born, so I'm hoping something like this will help that- I need visitors and conversation- so fx we can pull this off.

HGRich · February 2017

My mother is throwing a large family party this summer which will allow family to meet my baby, as well as my cousin's whose wife is due a month or so after me, and celebrate my grandfather's 85th birthday. So it's a combo and will include food and hanging out and a moment to sing happy birthday to grandpa and such. I'm glad the focus won't all be on me and baby girl because I just don't know if she and I will be up for that much attention for too long. Heh. I'm glad because this is also family who lives too far to come to any baby showers, and this way they still get to celebrate and bring her a frilly dress if they really want to. Lol. I'm thinking of a great aunt of mine in particular.

So really, I have no experience nor have I been to one. But that's the plan for me and it seems like it will be really casual.

rachelmiller03 · February 2017

My SIL had one for her 4th girl. It was super casual, and people (mostly family, because DH has a HUGE family) just popped in and out. My other SIL cleaned her house up, and made some hour-devours type food, and they had sangria, soda, and water. If someone wanted to bring the baby a gift, they could, but she didn't open anything there. Her baby was born April 8th, and the sip-n-see was in early May. I have had a few offers for a shower, and I have mentioned I would much prefer this.

shaunessa · February 2017

Thank you all for your input!!! It has definitely eased my mind about how to go about it.

@SnarkasaurusRex
I think the cookout option is a good idea and invite couples, not just ladies. I think my mom was thinking about just inviting women, but we already did that at the shower. And since there are no games, etc I think a cookout with some backyard fun (for the guys) would be fun.

And I definitely plan to put some hand sanitizer and or sign to wash hands before holding baby. I found this:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/kf/raql0uvidvtn.jpg

peachy0709 · February 2017

Echoing PPs. All of the ones I have been to have been an opportunity for friends to visit in a controlled setting for what is hopefully a set amount of time

Dannylion24 · February 2017

We just moved into a new house and didn't have a housewarming despite people asking so we are thinking of doing a sip 'n see plus open house in April (I'm due end of march) to cover all bases. Our family is HUGE so I think this will make it a bit more manageable. We may even throw in baby's baptism at the same time as well if I don't combine that with my oldest son's first communion (scheduled for the weekend after Easter). Planning on heavy apps, lots of drink options (hence the "sip" part), and no real decorations, but probably some balloons and games since there are a lot of toddler cousins. Good luck!

Beckyf321 · February 2017

This is #3 for us and in place of a shower I plan to have a sip n' see. We are super laid back when we entertain so we'll probably just grill, enjoy adult beverages, and hang out.

MWoodside · February 2017

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I am super weird about people touching my newborn/infant so I would never want one of these. Also, many women are still bleeding/healing a month out so personally I would not feel up to a big party that soon after birth.

shaunessa · February 2017

MWoodside said:

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I am super weird about people touching my newborn/infant so I would never want one of these. Also, many women are still bleeding/healing a month out so personally I would not feel up to a big party that soon after birth.

not a Debbie Downer at all! I just know that last time when I had DS, people kept texting about a week after "can we come see the baby?" People were kind of coming and going those first couple of weeks and I think this time it'll be nicer having a one time thing...a month later!

jennielynn+ · February 2017

I have thought about this too as this is our 2nd. I don't think I would do a month out just because May is a bit crazy.

Dax28 · February 2017

I definitely don't want too many people visiting early on especially when trying to establish breast feeding. Maybe just my mom, sisters, and MIL for a bit at the hospital. For the rest I plan to send out a mass message with something along the lines of. "Please respect our privacy as we get used to our family of 3, we will let you know when we are ready for visitors." I have spoken to DH and he is going to back me up 100% If people have an issue they will need to get over it.

WkoutMomtoBe · February 2017

MWoodside said:

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but I am super weird about people touching my newborn/infant so I would never want one of these. Also, many women are still bleeding/healing a month out so personally I would not feel up to a big party that soon after birth.

YES! My sentiments exactly. I'm FTM and DHs fam dropped ball on shower (not considering we are 3 hours away and moving out of state in Feb....lots going on) so his aunt reached about Sip N See. All their family (like 50+) are in/near that city. I politely declined.

I can't imagine riding 3 hours with newborn....plus my emotions and body and beeastfeeding. I don't see myself enjoying it.
.I see myself having meltdown

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