Preemie Baby Shower Etiquette
When a baby is born premature, and an expectant mom becomes a new mom before her own party, there are some baby shower etiquette tips that guests and hosts should follow. Typically the baby shower is scheduled for a month or two months before the child's due date. When the preemie decides to come out early, and surprise everyone, unique issues and questions arise, as does special baby shower etiquette protocol. Here is the best way to handle them, using baby shower etiquette applicable to when the newborn is a preemie.
Baby Shower Etiquette for the Host
When you are hosting a party for a new mom and the infant is premature, here are some tips to help you make the party go smoothly for guests and the new mom. As the host, it is your job to set the tone for good baby shower etiquette when the baby is premature. You even can go ahead and play baby shower games but keep them a little more low key.
No More Surprises
Baby Shower Etiquette Tip # 1
If the event for the expectant mom was scheduled as a surprise party, you may want to re-consider if the infant is premature. A new mom with a premature newborn just had the biggest surprise of her life. Right now she needs stability. She may not need any other surprises. It's good baby shower etiquette to help calm her nerves, not shock her.
Gift Detail
Baby Shower Etiquette Tip # 2
It's good baby shower etiquette to give a a new mom of a premature baby extra help in the gift tracking department. When a new mom is having the party and her premature child is in the hospital, she will need your help organizing the thank you cards. In addition to keeping a written list of which gifts came from which guests, you need to help the new mom a little more.
The host can pass along her good baby shower etiquette to the new mom, by giving her an extra helping hand with the thank you cards.
Give the new mom a basket containing the list matching the guest with the gift. Provide her with a list of addresses, a couple of boxes of thank you cards, some stamps, and a nice pen. The new mom can write out the cards while she sits in the hospital by her newborn's side. For the mom of a premie, many hours are spent watching a sleeping infant in the hospital, and it can be hard to pass the time. This will also help mom follow baby shower etiquette effortlessly when she has other issues on her mind.
Baby Shower Etiquette For Guests
"Where's the Baby?"
Baby Shower Etiquette Tip #1
It's good etiquette to expect the same experience you would when the child is not a preemie: the preemie will not be at the party. Try not to ask the new mom where the preemie is. For some reason, some people believe that since the preemie was already born, he or she should attend the party. It is unrealistic to expect to see a premature infant at his or her own party.
If the preemie is actually home from the hospital, he or she may no be ready to take on a large group of admirers just yet. Preemies have higher environmental awareness and the baby shower will over-stimulate his or her senses.
"Are you Breast Feeding?"
Baby Shower Etiquette Tip # 2
It's good baby shower etiquette to avoid asking the new mom if she is breast feeding. This is a normal question women ask new moms, but for the mom of a premature infant, breast feeding can be a painful issue.
Because the preemie is not by the mother's side all the time, breast feeding poses extra challenges when the child is premature. Asking this question at the party may upset the new mom who may be struggling with trying to breast feed a preemie.
"What do you need?"
Baby Shower Etiquette Tip #3
It's good baby shower etiquette to ask a new mom before or during her party is if there is anything she needs. This may seem strange because the new mom will be receiving many gifts at the party. However, having a premature infant can create different needs for the new mom.
Baby Shower Etiquette for the New Mom
Handling Health Questions
Etiquette Tip # 1
It's good baby shower etiquette not to bombard the new mom of a preemie with questions about the preemie's health. Because new moms of preemies will be bombarded with the same questions about the newborn's health, it's best to have an idea of what you are going to say before the party.
Give a general comment about the infants' overall health and leave out the details about the hospital care and procedures.
Bring Photos
Etiquette Tip # 2
One baby shower etiquette tip for new moms of premature babies is to share the positive aspects of the early birth. While you may not be able to bring the newborn, you can still share the positive. One thing you can do is bring some photos of the premature infant to the party for the new mom.
Overall, normal baby shower etiquette tips should be followed, just tread a little lighter when the party is for a new mom of a premature infant. You will need all the regular baby shower supplies you would need for any other baby shower it is just the intensity and etiquette that needs adjusting. Baby showers are so much fun and this one should be too!
Baby Shower
