When Should You Have Your Baby Shower?
The ideal timing, plus factors that might change your plans.
The sweet spot for a baby shower is 28 to 32 weeks (7–8 months pregnant). This isn't arbitrary — there are real, practical reasons this window works best.
Why 28–32 Weeks Is the Sweet Spot
At this point you're visibly pregnant (which makes it feel real and celebratory), you likely know the sex if you wanted to find out, and you're still comfortable enough to actually enjoy a party. You also have 8–12 weeks after the shower to buy whatever didn't get gifted and get everything set up — which matters more than people realize.
Why Not Too Early
Having a shower before 24 weeks feels premature for a few reasons:
- Superstition is real. Many cultures and families prefer to wait until the third trimester when the pregnancy feels more "safe." Respect this — especially if it matters to grandparents.
- You might not be showing. This sounds superficial but the belly is part of the celebration, and photos from a 20-week shower can feel anticlimactic.
- Gender might be unknown. If you're doing a gender-specific registry or theme, you'll need the anatomy scan (typically 18–22 weeks) results first.
- Registry isn't ready. You won't know what you actually need until you've done some research, visited a Buy Buy Baby or similar store, and talked to parent friends.
Why Not Too Late
After 35 weeks, things get dicey:
- Physical discomfort. Standing, socializing, and being "on" for 2–3 hours is genuinely exhausting in the final month.
- Preterm risk. About 10% of babies arrive before 37 weeks. Having your shower at 36 weeks is rolling the dice.
- No time to shop. You'll get gift cards and cash at the shower — you need time to actually spend them before the baby arrives.
- Return window. Duplicate gifts happen. You need time to exchange them.
Season Considerations
Your due date determines the season, but you have some flexibility in where and how:
- Summer baby (due June–August): Shower in April–May. Outdoor showers are gorgeous but have a backup indoor plan. Morning events beat afternoon heat.
- Fall baby (due Sept–Nov): Shower in July–August. Consider AC if indoors, or an evening garden party.
- Winter baby (due Dec–Feb): Shower in October–November. Indoor venues work perfectly. Avoid holiday weekends — guests are busy and broke.
- Spring baby (due March–May): Shower in January–February. Cozy brunch showers are perfect for this window.
Virtual & Hybrid Showers
If you have family spread across the country, a hybrid shower works well at any point in the 28–32 week window. Virtual-only showers are more flexible on timing since there's no travel involved — you could even do one as early as 26 weeks if it's a secondary celebration.
Second Baby / Sprinkle Timing
A "sprinkle" (a smaller, more casual celebration for a second or third baby) can happen a bit later — 32–34 weeks is fine since you already have most gear. Keep it low-key: brunch, a few close friends, focus on diapers and the stuff that's consumable or size-specific.