Third baby. Third baby shower. Surely that's excessive, right?

By LADY CHATTERLY

I received an invitation to a baby shower last week, which was wonderful because I love a good baby shower. As far as estrogen filled celebrations go, baby showers are the greatest.

A few silly games, some champagne, the obligatory comment about being “all baby,” questions about the all important pram choice, morning sickness, general pregnancy aches and pains and a chat to the mum to be’s grandma. Good times.

The thing is, this particular mum is having her third baby. And her third baby shower. I’ve since learnt that the technical term for such an event is a “Baby Sprinkle.”  The hosting mum has a pigeon pair already and, according to the invite, is expecting another boy. So by now, it’s probably safe to say she’s got all the basics. And some.

My first reaction to the invitation, after I realised it was going to be her third, was: isn’t that maybe, possibly just a tiny bit excessive? It’s been a while since I had a baby and the handful of women I know who’ve gone back for seconds haven’t thrown or been thrown another shower. Or sprinkle, for that matter. Am I simply out of the loop? Is this a completely acceptable practice now?

If you’re invited to a baby shower, chances are, you’re one of the mum to be’s closest friends. Which means you’re probably going to buy the baby a gift when he or she is born anyway.

Back in the day, it was perfectly acceptable to turn up to a baby shower with a Fisher Price rattle and a plate of iced vovos. These days however, not unlike pre-wedding celebrations, baby showers have the tendency to be bigger than Ben Hur.

Of the showers I’ve attended recently, along with the usual measure the belly games, the mum to be sits in the middle of the room and opens all of the gifts to collective oohs and ahhs over onesies and tiny socks.

So your Fisher Price rattle suddenly looks a tad cheap next to Cynthia’s Louis Vuitton baby luggage set. From my experience, it’s not enough to simply turn up with a “thought.” Babies, not unlike weddings, can quickly become rather expensive.

Is it really such a big deal though? I mean perhaps every baby and not just the first born should be celebrated? And yet, it also had me thinking. I know of many women who have struggled to conceive and find baby showers particularly difficult. Is having another baby shower a little insensitive?

It makes me wonder if the so called “Baby Sprinkle” is simply a sign of the times, reflective of our growing need to share every moment with everyone. I can understand the benefit of getting one’s friends and family together for an afternoon before the reality of life with another newborn takes over. And yet why not call it that? I suppose it’s the expectation of more gifts, associated with throwing a shower or sprinkle, that has me a little uncomfortable about the whole idea.

Lady Chatterley is a writer of life, sex, love and relationships; the real, the raw and the raunchy. She can be found on Twitter @MsChatterley.

What do you think? Are baby showers (sprinkles) for subsequent children poor etiquette? Have you been to a baby sprinkle?