The shower could be a mini-shower focusing on those essential items that every baby needs, no matter how many older siblings – like diapers, undershirts, and bath accessories. You could also ask the parents what they did not receive the first time around, and add those items to the registry. Some people choose to hold a shower where the gifts are for mom, with guests bringing items that she’ll likely need during the final weeks leading up to, as well as after, the birth. She’ll appreciate receiving something soothing like aromatherapy candles, or even something for day-to-day use, like a soft robe.

It’s also a fun idea to have a shower where all the gifts are for mom – but are not related to being a mom, like a flirty nightdress or sexy nail polish (for when she can see her toes again!). You can, on your own or with other guests, purchase a gift certificate for a full day at the salon or some other special event – but be sure to prearrange babysitting, too. A practical option is to have a meeting before the party, with the guests and the father-to-be, to draw up a helping hands calendar (using an eraseable board and markers).

There are many things you can do that will be appreciated, like getting the house organized while mom and baby are in the hospital, taking the older child to and from school (especially during that first week) or helping mom and dad juggle kids while doing errands. After being sure to get down all the names and phone numbers of the helpers, present the finished calendar to mom at the shower. In some cases, neither the baby nor mom needs anything new. You can also just have a straight-up party, intimate or with many friends and family, to celebrate the upcoming birth.

You may want to ask the guests to bring baby items for donation to a women’s charitable organization. Another fun way to organize a shower for a second baby is to have a “freezer party” where guests bring dishes that can be frozen or otherwise easily stored. During the final days of pregnancy and the first week after the birth, mom will definitely appreciate this. It is important to hold this shower quite close to the due date, of course, and to be sure that the mom has enough freezer or storage space to make it work.

Lastly, it is acceptable to hold a full, as-if-it-were-the-first-baby shower in the case of a “caboose” baby – one who, as the name implies, is being born several years after the last child. A lot of moms and dads won’t likely have even the big items (cribs, etc.), anymore, or they could be outdated in terms of safety requirements.

And remember, even if the baby shower is a small one or doesn’t feature enormous gifts, the whole reason you are there is to simply show the mom that she and her new baby are cared for.

Hope you found our article useful, if so you might want to take a look at baby shower invitations, baby shower cake ideas and baby shower favors. Thanks and have a wonderful day!