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WHAT IS A BABY SHOWER? WHAT IS ITS SIGNIFICANCE?

BABY SHOWER
Baby cupcakes

We are expecting a baby, the words are meaningful not only for the expecting parents but also for the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and everyone else in the family. This good news is celebrated in a variety of ways, the most important and beautiful of which is the Baby Shower. In many cultures and nations, baby showers have different names and rituals, but they all share the same belief and happiness.

The baby shower is one of the most convenient ways of expressing love for the coming baby by the family members. It is a moment for friends and family to spend time with the expecting parents and shower them with presents, love, and well wishes before the baby are born.

Soon enough, every minute will get devoted thinking about the baby and all the little delight moments that will accompany him/her. As a result, it is crucial to commemorate the baby’s arrival while also showering positivity and love to the expecting parents.

The arrival of a newborn baby has always been a source of joy and excitement, but these celebrations were substantially different in the past than they are now.

Rituals were practiced by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians to commemorate the birth of a child and its mother. They also presented gifts and well wishes to various gods and goddesses during these rituals. During the Middle Ages, the baptism of a child was an occasion for giving gifts to the new parents. Gifts with religious meaning were widespread, and godparents were usually the ones who presented them.

During the Renaissance, expensive presents were presented to women at the birth of a child. Baby showers started reshaping during the Victorian era. Because pregnancy and childbirth were taboo topics back then, these gatherings took place after the baby was born.

Tea parties with games and gifts for the new mother were common at Victorian baby showers. Over the next few decades, they grew in popularity and became known as “stork parties.” During and after both World Wars, baby showers became popular, notably in the United States, as a way for loved ones to help new parents financially recover from the economic hardships imposed by the wars.

In India, a Baby shower also called “Godh Bharai” is celebrated with great zest and zeal. Moreover, due to land of diverse cultures, Godh Bharai is celebrated with different names in different parts. In North India, it is known as Godhbharai, in Bengal as Shaad, in Maharashtra as Dohal Jevan, in Tamil Nadu as Valakaappu, and other parts of South India as Seemandham or Seemantham.

All of these gatherings, however, have the same goal: to make the expecting mother feel special and pampered. Godh bharai is a social event that is traditionally solely attended by the family’s female members.

Godh bharai

When the baby shower is celebrated?

It is important to pick the perfect time for the baby shower. During the first trimester of pregnancy, most people avoid throwing a baby shower. There are several causes behind this. Various cultures have long held the belief that it is desirable to keep the news of a pregnancy a secret as soon as it is discovered. This is to avoid drawing the wrath of the devil.

Apart from superstitions, it is impossible to plan a baby shower during the first few months of pregnancy because the woman’s body is going through a lot of changes and challenges that don’t normally make her feel at ease. So, if the individual hosting the party is not at ease, there will be little joy in the celebration. It is advisable to talk to the mother-to-be about when she’d want to have the baby shower, which is usually near the conclusion of the pregnancy.

The majority of baby showers take place four to six weeks before the baby is due. This peculiar ceremony occurs in the life of a Hindu married woman in India around the 7th or 9th month of her pregnancy. The odd number of months is chosen for this ceremony because it is said to bring good fortune to the expectant mother and her unborn child.

However, because the baby has reached a safe and stable state by this time, the 7th month is the most popular and convenient.

In India, the event is scheduled for the end of the seventh month or the beginning of the eighth month by the in-law’s family of the pregnant women. This ceremony invites family and friends to join in the fun as they prepare to welcome the soon-to-be newest member of the family.

9th happy months of her pregnancy

Significance of Rituals and traditions in Baby Shower

The mother-to-be is lavished with gifts like sarees, jewelry, money, and many blessings from the elders for her kid’s well-being. The elders also offer numerous tips and recommendations to help the couple prepare for this new duty. To make the mother feel wonderful, she is dressed in her nicest attire, adorned with jewelry, and henna designs are applied to her hands.

One of the traditions is whispering in the mother’s ear that a healthy, smiling, and the active baby would soon be occupying her lap. This is seen to be lucky for both the mother and the child. A priest may be invited to the house to chant mantras and perform religious rites in preparation for the birth of a healthy baby.

All of the women who have been invited apply Tikka (vermilion or Haldi-Kumkum) on the would-be mother’s forehead to shield her from negative influences, pray for her and the baby, and then perform aarti to placate the Gods and get their blessings. A customary feast follows all of these rites.

Immersing holy grass in water to create the water rich in medicinal properties and washing the mother in it is a popular tradition in south India. Then, with a silk cloth, a paste of banyan leaves is poured into the mother’s right nostril, showering her with supernatural blessings.

Apart from traditional rituals and ceremonies during baby showers, games can make the environment of the room more cheerful and chirpy. Some embarrassing quizzes or tricky questions or painting games can be played by everyone including the mother-to-be.

The mother-to-be outfit is extremely significant because it will reflect both her nervousness and her joy for the coming baby. After her wedding day, this is the day when she will appear her most beautiful because she has that glow from within that will make her shine like a star. The outfit can be anything from Indian to western, according to her preference, but it must be comfortable for her to fully enjoy the ceremony.

Types of gifts for the baby

This is undoubtedly a tricky situation, as guests may be unsure whether they should buy gifts for the mother or the soon-to-be-born infant. From a practical standpoint, a baby shower is an opportunity to give essential items to the expecting mother or the baby after he is born. As a result, getting gifts for both the mother and the infant is the greatest option. You may choose a gift set that includes a pamper set for the mother and a charming bootie set for the baby, for example. You might even give the mother a spa manicure, pedicure, or massage as an alternative.

The godh bharai is a fantastic opportunity to catch up with friends and family. They can form a support group of close friends and family members who will be there for you during the last trimester of your pregnancy and after your baby is born.

friends and family

Conclusion

Remember that the most important feature of a baby shower is to make sure that everyone has a good time. Take notice that the food and beverages supplied to the expectant mother are not harmful to the mother or the unborn child in any manner. Choose the menu based on the mother’s preferences, but make sure that all of the foods are nutritious for her. Ensure that the mother is not overworked as a result of the ongoing celebrations. She should be able to take a break whenever she feels the need.

Every baby shower is one-of-a-kind. It makes no difference whether it is large or small; what matters is that the occasion and persons for whom the ceremony is being held are significant.

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