14 Ways To Celebrate a New Mom Other Than a Baby Shower
Menu
Subscribe Search
Home > Pregnancy > Baby Showers

14 Ways To Celebrate a New Mom Other Than a Baby Shower

From a sleep-a-thon to a babymoon to a meal train, here are 14 ways to celebrate a new mom and her baby (besides throwing a baby shower).

Updated February 16, 2025
Share
  • Link copied
A group of women standing at an indoor entrance, some holding gifts and balloons. One woman in a striped dress is visibly pregnant and is being hugged by another woman. The setting appears festive, likely a baby shower to celebrate the new mom.

Celebrating a new mom is a great excuse to throw a baby shower, but that isn’t the only way to honor her! Depending on individual circumstances and the wishes of the mom-to-be, there are plenty of other ways to mark the occasion. You can branch off the traditional baby showers and create a unique experience with something memorable that reflects the new mama. If you know someone with a baby on the way, consider these fun ways to help them celebrate!

14 Ways To Celebrate a New Mom

Besides throwing a baby shower, here are 13 ideas to celebrate a new mom and her baby:

1. Girls’ Night

A group of people are seated around a table, smiling and raising glasses in a toast. The setting appears to be a cozy indoor space with warm lighting. Some are holding glasses of white wine. The mood is festive and cheerful as they celebrate the new mom.

Since it will be hard for mom to get away after baby is born, you could consider planning a girls’ night with her friends before the baby arrives. This night doesn’t even have to involve going out — you could frame it as a sleepover instead! Get some of her favorite movies and snacks so she can relax and hang out with her girlfriends.

2. Baby Sprinkle

Consider a baby sprinkle if the new mom doesn’t want a full-blown baby shower! This type of celebration is like a mini baby shower, except it’s more low-key and can be a great idea for moms who already have kids. You can still do similar baby shower food and baby shower games for the sprinkle. Just make it easy and fun! It can also have a reduced guest list to take some of the pressure off.

3. Sip-and-See

This type of celebration is for after the baby is born. A sip-and-see is more focused on seeing the baby, and the presents are primarily for the baby instead of the mother. This one could be tricky because the timing needs to be right, as you want to ensure the new mom feels up to it. If she’s comfortable, you can plan this for after the birth!

4. Nesting Party

@aloha.nutrition

My second Nesting Party with my third pregnancy..success! Thank you soooo much to my friends for helping me “nest” and prep for the postpartum period. We had so much fun and they told me they had more fun than some baby showers they’d been to. There were no awkward games, everyone participated in something and who doesn’t love organizing someone else’s house 😆 If Nesting Parties seems like it’d actually give you more anxiety, I totally get it. I practice the 80%/20% rule where my friends do 80% of the prep work and organization, then I do my 20% finishing touch. I actually didn’t even end up changing anything my friends did because they did such a great job! I was like wow, that’s so pretty and organized. Nesting parties should really be a thing, pass the word along and if you do/did one, how did you feel about it? Anxious or was it helpful? 🔹BTW if you want to grab my checklist, you can grab it in my bio. Makes things soooo much easier! . . . #nestingparty #nesting #thirdtrimesternesting #nestingpartyhowto #howtothrowanestingparty #nestingpartyisthenewbabyshower #preppingforpostpartum #nestingwithgrace #nursingcart #pregnancy #thirdtrimester #lasttrimestercountdown

♬ original sound – Allegra Gast, RDN, IBCLC

If you already have a lot of the items you need for baby, consider having a nesting party! A nesting party is gathering of close family and friends that help the expecting mom get ready for the postpartum period. Instead of bringing baby clothes, toys, and baby gear, they can bring diapers, freezer meals, and cleaning supplies to help her “nest.”

5. Blessingway

A Blessingway is a tradition inspired by Navajo ceremonies. It celebrates a woman’s passage into motherhood. Like traditional baby showers, Blessingways are usually just for women. You can include whatever the new mom wants; this celebration could mean pampering her, sharing birth stories, praying, giving her gifts, and any other ways she’d like to celebrate.

6. Co-Ed Shower

If the new mom wants to go a more nontraditional route but still have it similar to a baby shower, consider inviting the guys. A co-ed shower includes the important men and women in the mother-to-be’s life. You may need to tweak the baby shower games and baby shower theme, but this can be a fun way for everyone to celebrate the new baby!

7. Postpartum Party

A postpartum party is similar to a sip-and-see but focuses on the mom instead of the new baby. Once the new mom has had some time to recover, you can plan a get-together with her friends or an activity she misses. This party will help her have a change of scenery and get a break to feel like herself again after the baby comes.

8. Babymoon

A new mom-to-be in a light floral dress stands on a balcony with her hands gently resting on her belly. She has curly hair and smiles while looking down. The background features a cityscape with white buildings and red roofs under a partly cloudy sky, celebrating the joy of motherhood.

Another great way to celebrate a mom-to-be is by taking her on a babymoon. For this type of getaway, the parents-to-be can take some time away to enjoy themselves before the baby arrives. This trip could be a weekend in a hotel or something further away. It’s all up to what the parents want to do!

9. Sleep-A-Thon

It’s no secret that it will be challenging to get enough sleep after the baby is here, and the pregnant mom may have difficulty getting rest now. A sleep-a-thon is a great way to help her rest and relax! This event could be a day or an entire weekend focused on rest and relaxation.

10. Meal Train

Instead of a sip-and-see, you could arrange for a meal train event. It will be hard to cook with a new baby, so having family and friends bring meals to the new mama can help get her through those first few weeks. Bonus points for guests who bring freezer meals!

11. Decorate-the-Nursery Party

There are a lot of things a mom needs to do to get ready for a new baby. To help her out, and similar to a nesting party, you could invite guests over for some food and to paint the nursery with her. This party could also be geared toward stocking the nursery with items like diapers, bedding, and decorations. Just be sure to find out what her nursery theme is!

12. Baby Barbecue

A woman in a green dress stands outside, her pregnant belly being hugged by a young girl in a polka dot dress. They are under a tree, near a table set with plates, glasses, and food, including a stack of buns. A bicycle is visible in the background as they celebrate the new mom.

If the mama-to-be isn’t into the traditional baby shower, take things outside with a Baby Barbecue. This is a great way to have a co-ed shower and take some of the focus off the mom-to-be. They’re also affordable since the host can grill the food, so the new mom doesn’t have to pay for a venue. Just set things up in the backyard!

13. Virtual Shower

Instead of having a large group for a shower, you could consider throwing a virtual baby shower. This type of get-together would allow the new mom to still visit with her friends and family without decorating or going anywhere.

14. A Day of Pampering

It will be a long time before mama can return to the spa, so plan a spa day for her before the baby’s arrival. It will help her to relax and focus on herself. She can get a massage, a haircut, or a mani/pedi.

There are plenty of ways to celebrate a new mom other than a baby shower. The important thing is to check with her about what she wants to do and how she wants to celebrate. Remember, it’s all about her and the new baby! 🙂

Share
  • Link copied

Explore Baby Names by Letter

Find the perfect baby name — browse names that start with every letter from A to Z.

Boy names Girl names
A baby with curly hair is lying down on a patterned cushion, wearing a white shirt and a navy blue bow tie. The cushion has a knitted snowflake design. The baby, who certainly deserves one of those unique boy names that start with A, is looking at the camera with a slight smile.

249 Boy Names That Start With A
A baby named Benjamin sleeps peacefully, swaddled in a soft, gray knitted blanket. The baby is wearing a gray knit hat and has their right hand under their head. A small, crocheted stuffed toy is tucked under the baby's left arm.

200 Boy Names That Start With B
A baby is wrapped in a light blue blanket and wearing a light blue knit hat. The baby is lying in a round wooden basket lined with fluffy white fabric against a background of weathered blue wooden planks, perhaps dreaming of c names for boys like Charles or Caleb, with one hand near the mouth.

198 Boy Names That Start With C
A baby sleeping peacefully in someone's arms, wearing a white outfit and a knitted blanket. The person's hands are gently holding the baby's hands. The scene exudes a sense of calm and tenderness, perfect for little ones with charming D names for boys.

200 Boy Names That Start With D
A baby with blue eyes lies on a white carpet, wearing a white hooded outfit with bear ears. The baby gazes curiously at the camera, with the hood partially covering their head. The background is blurred, showing books on a shelf that could inspire e boy names.

225 Boy Names That Start With E
A baby with short light hair is lying on a bed on its stomach, looking at the camera with a wide smile. Soft, natural light from a window behind the baby bathes him in a gentle glow, while a green plant is partially visible in the background—a perfect moment for those considering boy names that start with F.

249 Boy Names That Start With F
A baby lying on a bed on their stomach, wearing a gray outfit with small prints and blue pants. The baby is smiling, with wide eyes and arms extended forward. If you're looking for inspiration, consider popular boy names that start with G as you gaze at this joyful scene in the blurred indoor setting.

248 Boy Names That Start With G
A smiling baby is being held above by an adult, who is lying down and looking up at the baby. They both appear to be playing and enjoying each other's company. Perhaps they're already thinking of H names for boys, illuminated by the bright natural light coming through a window in the blurred interior background.

250 Boy Names That Start With H
A baby with a pacifier is sleeping, wrapped in a light blue blanket. The baby, perhaps destined for one of those charming boy names that start with "I," is being held, with a hand resting gently next to them. The background is softly lit and slightly blurred.

226 Boy Names That Start With I
A baby boy with blue eyes and light hair is lying on a white blanket, wearing a light blue and white striped onesie, and smiling with an open mouth. Parents looking for boy names that start with J might find inspiration from his joyful expression.

250 Boy Names That Start With J
A baby wearing a light beige shirt is smiling widely with an open mouth, showing a small part of their teeth. The baby, whose parents are considering boy names that start with K, has a short tuft of hair standing up on top of their head. The background is a plain white wall.

252 Boy Names That Start With K
A baby named Liam, dressed in a white onesie, sits on a bed while smiling at the camera. The background is a softly lit room with white curtains.

230 Boy Names That Start With L
A baby with curly hair, potentially one of those adorable boy names that start with M, is dressed in a white onesie with black star patterns and teal trim, looking directly at the camera. The cozy indoor setting features a person in gray clothing visible in the blurred background.

301 Boy Names That Start With M
A close-up of a smiling baby with curly hair, wearing a yellow and white striped shirt. The baby, likely to be one of those charming n boy names like Noah or Nathan, is looking directly at the camera with an open mouth and bright eyes. The background is blurred and appears to be outdoors.

200 Boy Names That Start With N
A sleeping baby rests on a fluffy white cushion inside a light blue bucket. The baby's head is tilted forward, and arms are folded under the head. The background is a warm-toned wooden surface, giving a cozy atmosphere—perfect for parents considering boy names that start with O.

249 Boy Names That Start With O
A baby named Parker is sleeping while holding a small teddy bear. The baby is wrapped in a blue blanket and wearing a white outfit with a blue and white striped hat. The background consists of a blue knitted fabric.

300 Boy Names That Start With P
A close-up of a smiling baby boy with dark skin, wearing a red, white, and blue striped outfit. The baby has dimples and a small amount of drool is visible. The background is slightly blurred, with hints of green foliage. If you're looking for Q boy names for this adorable little one, Quinlan might fit perfectly.

201 Boy Names That Start With Q
A baby named Rowan lies on its stomach on a white surface, facing the camera with a smile. The baby is wearing a white outfit. The background is softly blurred with natural light, creating a warm and gentle atmosphere.

260 Boy Names That Start With R
A baby wrapped in a brown blanket lies on a furry green cushion. The baby is holding a small white plush bear and looking up at the camera, as if contemplating s names for boys. The background features wooden planks, adding a rustic feel to the scene.

268 Boy Names That Start With S
A baby with a focused expression is crawling on a bed. The boy, possibly destined for one of those strong T names, is wearing a grey, hooded sweater. The background includes white bedding and a headboard, with a soft light coming from the left side.

250 Boy Names That Start With T
A baby with dark skin is lying on a light-colored textured blanket, partially covered by a soft cloth. The baby is looking at the camera with a small smile and has its arms slightly raised, perfect for parents considering boy names that start with U.

176 Boy Names That Start With U
A young boy with curly hair and wearing a striped orange and blue shirt is sitting on a black rug. The child, potentially named Victor or Vincent from popular V names for boys, is smiling and looking slightly upwards. The background includes a wooden floor and some indistinct objects.

300 Boy Names That Start With V
A baby wearing a light green onesie is crawling on a bed with a white blanket. The baby, perhaps named one of those popular boy names that start with W, has a slight smile and looks towards the camera. In the background, there is a crib decorated with a string of triangular flags.

250 Boy Names That Start With W
A baby boy wearing a white onesie is crawling on a wooden floor. The baby, who might someday be exploring boy names that start with X, has curly hair and is surrounded by colorful toys, including a large orange ring and some foam blocks. There are plush animals and a bed in the background.

310 Boy Names That Start With X
A toddler wearing a red long-sleeve shirt and patterned pants is on the grass with one hand touching an orange ball. The child, possibly one of those unique boy names that start with Y, is smiling and positioned in front of a brick wall and a swing set.

254 Boy Names That Start With Y
A small child named Zane, wearing a gray sweater, blue pants, and white shoes, is sitting on a slide. The child is smiling and holding onto the sides of the slide with their hands.

251 Boy Names That Start With Z

let’s get you ready!

Your Modern Birth Class

An expert-led, step-by-step system with daily guidance, tools, and community — everything you truly need to prepare for birth.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
Learn more
Baby Chick App
Get Our Free Mom Newsletter