Is it customary to bring a baby gift after a babies birth?

Question

I attended the baby shower and brought gifts, but if I visit the family after the birth should I bring another gift?

Answer 1

I think it is customary (especially when visiting the mom, dad and baby at the hospital) to bring flowers, baloons, an outfit for the baby, etc.

This happened with me after the births of my two children. Honestly, while the sentiment was nice, it was really a pain to have to cart all that stuff home. My number one priority was getting my children safely to the car and safely home after their births. I had my overnight bag also, the diaper bag/formula that the hospital gave me, and trying to lug out vases of flowers, teddy bears, outfits for the baby etc., was incredibly inconvenient and rather annoying.

Cards are always nice. They fit nicely in the purse. If you want to do something for the family, pick out a nice card and either enclose an I.O.U. for a night of future babysitting or a gift card for a baby store/Wal Mart/Target, etc. They'll fit quite nicely in the mom's purse and will be VERY useful down the road!

If you DON'T want to bring anything, this is fine too. The fact that you're concerned/thoughtful enough to take time from your schedule to visit the new family is nice enough in its own. :)

Answer 2

If you already brought a gift then it's not necessary or customary to bring another one, unless you feel driven to do so. I think just visiting and offering a hand at that point would be much appreciated. If one didn't have opportunity to give a gift, because there was no baby shower or what not, then yes, it would be nice.

Answer 3

I don't know about 'customary.' But it's certainly not unusual.

As other people have said, don't break the bank.

As other people have said, something for the mother would be nice.

But how about something for the father? I think he gets a little overlooked. A congratulatory six-pack of beer would probably not go unappreciated.

Still, there's no shame at all in showing up empty-handed. It is a birthday, but then, if there was a shower, the gift-giving has already been taken care of...

Answer 4

I would say: That's up to you.
If it's the first baby then I would make it something small and practical a bottle, package of pacifiers, or a bib. no more than 5 bucks.

If they have an older child I would take a gift for the older child and skip the baby gift. This helps the older child feel special and included. a baby will never know if you brought them a gift or not at this stage but an older child will.

Again it's all up to you and what you feel most comfortable doing.

Answer 5

You should take a small gift the first time you visit the family after the baby is born.

Answer 6

Some people bring gifts, if they didn't make it to the baby shower...i remember looking through my babybook and seeing that...

anyways, i brought my friend some flowers when i went and visited her in the hospital after she gave birth to her daughter and she loved them.

Answer 7

It is totally up to you. Only if you want to, no gift after the birth, when you are going to see the baby, is required. Nor should it be expected by anyone.

Answer 8

Yes, bring a small gift.

Answer 9

It is not NECESSARY, but it is common to bring a gift the first time you see the baby.

Doesn't need to be too big, a little teddy bear, book, or toy is fine. Don't spend a fortune.

Answer 10

Bring the mother Flowers she did all the work - the baby will get lots of things but people will forget the mother.