The History of Baby Showers: Why Celebrate Babies?

Studying the History of Baby Showers may answer some questions:
Why do we celebrate new babies?
And why is this type of party called a shower?

The History of Baby Showers

The term “baby shower” isn’t as old as the ritual of celebrating the beginning of a new family.

Traditionally, baby showers are held for the first baby. However, sometimes circumstances change the traditions. Perhaps the new family is abroad when the first baby is born, so friends want to hold a baby shower when they come home. And a second child may already be on the way.

Anytime is a good time to celebrate babies and families! Even the ancient countries did it.

How they used to do Baby Showers:

Ancient India: It was called a pregnancy ritual, held in the 7th or 8th month. Dry fruits, sweets and other gifts that help the baby’s growth are given. There is music at the party. Pleasing the unborn baby’s ears is considered important, as the baby’s ears begin functioning in the womb. They also have certain prayers they repeat for a healthy baby and mother, also prayers for a happy delivery and motherhood.
Ancient Egypt: Rituals for the birth of a child happened after the baby was born. Unlike modern baby showers, the new mom and baby were separated to “contain and eliminate the pollution of birth.” This ritual seemed to have included visits to temples or shrines. After the temple visits took place, there were also household rituals. Not much of this history is known, since female oriented events were not considered important in that time.
Victorian Britain and North America: If two teaspoons happened to be placed together on a woman’s saucer, superstition held that she might be pregnant. Victorian manners considered pregnancy a taboo public topic. Sometimes friends would discover a woman was pregnant because she stopped going out. After the baby was born, and the nanny ran both mom and baby’s lives, deciding when mom was ready to resume normal life. Then there would be an “at home” afternoon tea where friends and family would attend to meet the new baby and bring gifts.

Ways Different Countries do Baby Showers today:

Brazil has a “chá de bebê” (baby tea) before the baby is born.
Bulgaria believes a superstition dictating no gifts before a baby is born. Babies are kept out of the public for 40 days to prevent early illnesses.
In China the baby shower is held one month after the baby is born. In certain cultures the father or his parents host a ceremony, where he welcomes the child by tying white yarn on the baby’s wrist.
In West Bengal, India, a ceremony is held at 7 months into the pregnancy, and then the mom-to-be goes to live at her in-laws house until after the baby.
South Africa has stork parties, held 3 months before the baby’s due date. They’re women only, usually a surprise for the mom-to-be, and often include costumes and other lighthearted partying.

Why is it called a Baby Shower?

The common assumption is the term refers to showering the baby with gifts.

Perhaps the term began the 19th century, when the gifts at a Bridal Shower were often placed in a parasol, or umbrella. When the parasol was opened, the gifts would shower upon the new bride. This could then have carried over to baby showers.

This could be a fun part of a baby shower theme! Although a closed umbrella wouldn’t hold very many gifts. It could be a money shower, I guess.