The Ultimate Guide to Birth Announcement Etiquette & Wording
In today’s article we take a look at birth announcements! When it comes to the birth of a baby it really is a rite of passage. However, impending sleep deprivation means that tradition and etiquette might be the last thing on new parents’ mind.
There are contemporary and established guidelines for announcing a baby, and our goal is to help answer all those questions surrounding birth announcements. So if you are planning an Anne Geddes worthy photo shoot for these photocards, keep reading to find out to whom birth announcements are sent and what information should be included.
What is a Birth Announcement?
Did you think stationery ended after sending wedding thank you cards?
Think again!
The best part of a newborn (besides those cuddles) is making the big announcement that the baby has arrived. What exactly is a birth announcement you might ask? Traditionally they were a notice sent within the first year of the baby’s birth by the baby’s parents to alert family and friends of the newest addition.
Should I send a Birth Announcement?
Never has there been a time in the world that you have so many options for letting family and friends know that a baby has arrived. Traditionally, once the baby is born, the father spreads the exciting news to immediate friends and family via phone. Grandparents might share in the duty too.
You may choose to share this news over social media. Just be sure that the most important people in your life have been informed before the rest of the world is notified.
Having access to speedy social media to blast a message out to everyone might seem a whole lot easier. Consider other approaches first.
The birth of a baby is one of those big life accomplishments and it is nice to take a moment to recognize this milestone. The best way to show off your pride and joy is with a beautiful baby announcement card. We LOVE the selection at our go-to stationer Minted.
Another option that makes for a sweet memento is a newspaper announcement. Okay, maybe a little old-fashioned!
Whatever route you choose to spread the word there is no wrong way – pick whichever option feels right and fits your budget. knows there is an endless diaper bill heading your way. Check out Minted’s budget-savvy birth announcements if the price is part of the equation.
What to include on a birth announcement
When it comes to the actual message on the announcement it is best to keep it short and sweet.
Basic Information to Include on Birth Announcement
- Parents’ full names (followed by names of baby’s siblings)
- Baby’s full name
- Baby’s birth date
- Baby’s gender (if the name is not clear)
- Baby’s weight and length
Optional information:
- Names of the baby’s grandparents
- Birth location
- Who delivered the baby (doctor or midwife)
- A baby website (this could include more information along with photos of the baby)
Basic Information to Include for Twins:
For birth announcements of twin or multiples, include the same information and adjust to include all newborn names.
Basic Information to Include for Adopted child:
If you have adopted a baby or a child who is no longer an infant, you can include the baby’s birth location (especially if a birth abroad), birth date, and adoption date.
What should you NOT say?
We would agree with most etiquette experts when it comes to birth announcements and gifts – don’t include anything!
- Don’t mention the link to your baby’s amazon gift registry
- Don’t write “no gifts please”
- Whatever you do, don’t indicate that you would prefer money in lieu of gifts!
Leave it up to the recipient if they wish to send a gift or not. If someone would like to know what you need they will most likely reach out to the grandparents and find out. Let me tell you, people will come out of the woodwork when it comes to baby gifts. Friends of friends (people you have never even met) will knit your baby a beautiful blanket or similar item.
Make sure to have extra thank you cards on hand for any unexpected gifts.
→ Shop birth announcements from Minted here ←
Birth Announcement Tips
When it comes to sending birth announcements, etiquette says you have up to 6 months. However, even though you have 6 months you probably want to send them in a timely manner. Don’t let too much time pass, or the excitement starts to “wear off.”
Try to stick within a 2 – 8 week timeframe after the birth. If over the 3 to 4 month mark, consider sending out a holiday card or family letter instead.
For those planning a professional newborn photo session: keep in mind that in order to capture those adorable newborn sleepy curly poses, most photographers will require you to organize a shoot 5 to 12 days after giving birth. Then, depending on the photographer, it might take another week or two to get the photos back.
If you are really organized you might consider choosing the birth announcement design during your last couple months of pregnancy and organizing family and friend’s addresses. That way when baby does arrive all you need to do is fill in the details and complete the order.
Paper or Electronic Announcements?
The type of announcement you choose to send, be it paper or electronic, is entirely up to you and your budget. Fortunately, both ways are perfectly acceptable. E-cards are without a doubt more cost-effective, however the experience of receiving a paper announcement through the mail (especially a photo card) makes for a great keepsake for your nearest and dearest friends and family members.
To Whom should I send birth announcements?
There are no hard rules that lay out who should or shouldn’t get a birth announcement card. In general, consider the people in your life who you feel most connected to and who may feel hurt if they don’t receive one – immediate family, friends, and anyone who attended your baby shower.
For the rest, well, they can find out via an email or an Instagram post.
Sending birth announcements for the second, third, or fourth baby
Yes! You can absolutely send out an announcement for all babies after the first. Sending one to close family and friends for each baby is just a nice way to proudly announce the new addition to your family. Besides, who doesn’t love getting a picture of an adorable newborn in the mail? And, if social media is your go-to platform, you can always use that as well.
How to use Social Media to share a Birth Announcement
Sharing your big news on platforms like Instagram and Facebook can help save a lot of time. You can reach everyone in your network while lessening the chance of leaving someone out. Not to mention you don’t have to muck around with a bunch of email addresses.
You can either do this by posting an actual picture of the announcement card or by sharing photos with similar details of a paper birth announcement. Of course, going this route it’s okay to be a little more informal with the language. Do keep in mind that this route is a bit less personal.
If you are sharing on social media and you want to be the first one to do so, remind your family/friends not to post any pictures or status updates about the baby until you have done so first!
Can you Combine Thank-You Notes & Birth Announcements?
If someone managed to send a baby gift (without having attended a baby shower) and before you sent out your baby announcements they are especially deserving of a birth announcement and a gold star. You might also consider sending them a baby thank you card with the baby’s photo on the front instead.
If the gift is from a baby shower then you most certainly should send a separate thank you card with a personal message thanking them for celebrating with you and for the specific gift they gave. You can then follow up with a birth announcement card once the baby has arrived.
Will people who receive a birth announcement interpret this as asking for a gift?
Birth announcement are a long standing social tradition. Whomever you send one to will realize that, and likely won’t feel obligated to send a gift.
It is amazing how many people come out of the wood work with gifts for newborn babies — especially if they haven’t participated in a baby shower. Friends of your mother that you have never met will send well wishes with a beautifully knitted blanket they made just for baby. Others will acknowledge your thoughtfulness with a phone call, or a card of their own. They will be thankful that you shared the news with them.
Is it necessary to sign each baby announcement or write a personal note?
The answer thank goodness is NO!
Traditional etiquette says this is not necessary or expected. However, if you would like to go that extra mile and add a brief personalized hand-written note, then more power to you, but don’t feel guilty if you don’t. Everyone understands you are now sleep deprived. You can always save the handwritten notes for thank you cards for baby gifts.
Birth Announcement Wording
Formal and Traditional Birth Announcement Wording
Samantha and Brian Smith
are happy to announce the arrival of
James Ryan
April 12, 2020
8 pounds, 4 ounces • 20 inches
Informal Birth Announcement Wording
Our little bundle of joy has arrived!
Samantha and Brian Smith and big brother Taylor are ecstatic
to welcome little James Ryan into the world!
Born on the 12th of April, 2020
8 pounds, 4 ounces
20 inches
Religious Announcement Wording
Every good and perfect gift is from above…” James 1:17
Please Join us in Welcoming our Perfect Gift
James Ryan Smith
April 21, 2020 10:15 P.M.
Weight: 8lb. 4 oz.
Length: 20 inches
There you go – our ultimate guide to birth announcement etiquette!
Did you find the answers you were looking for? We hope so. Let us know in the comments below how you plan to announce your new bundle of joy!
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Meredith
Despite her dreamy wedding blogger lifestyle, Meredith's day job is running ClassicVeils.com and a full-time mom to an active toddler. If she could, Meredith would spend her days taking cruises, helping animals in need, and watching Big Brother!
