Dear Jacquelyn,

My sister is expecting her second child in the spring. I’d like to host a baby shower to celebrate her new baby. Is hosting a shower appropriate for a second pregnancy?

Dear Reader,

Deciding to have a second or even a third baby shower is a question that has a lot of mixed answers.

Some people consider it rude and others see nothing wrong with the idea. There are even some specific circumstances and guidelines people will use before considering throwing a second baby shower.

For example: If the second baby is the opposite gender of the first or if it’s been at least three years since the last pregnancy.

If these guidelines seem too complex, let’s step back and take a look at the origin of baby showers and I’ll let you know why I feel it is perfectly acceptable to host a party for your sister.

Baby showers only became common in the 1940s and 1950s and they’ve developed their own etiquette and traditions. Decades ago, the main purpose of a baby shower was to properly prepare and equip the new mother with the items needed for her first child.

The rules of etiquette have evolved and it has become more widely acceptable to have a “lite” baby shower for a second child. Baby showers for second and third children are what’s known today as sprinkle showers.

Typically, families that already have a child will already have all the baby essentials. A sprinkle shower is a scaled back version of a baby shower, in number of guests and items on the registry. Guest are asked to bring just a few necessary items to welcome the new baby such as diapers and onesies.

A sprinkle shower is a loving gesture to celebrate your sister becoming a mother again and celebrate the new baby.

Respectfully Yours,

Jacquelyn

Have a question? Email: jacquelyn@ptd.net. Jacquelyn Youst is owner of the Pennsylvania Academy of Protocol, specializing in etiquette training.

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