"We wanted to celebrate his being with us and introduce him to everyone," said Klaiman, assistant professor of health policy at the Jefferson School of Population Health in Center City. "That way the focus would be on the baby rather than on me as the baby incubator."
Whether it's a casual get-together for close friends and family or a sophisticated catered affair, experts in all things baby say these "meet-and-greets" or "welcome to the world" parties are growing in popularity, while traditional showers are becoming so last trimester.
Even Phaedra Parks of The Real Housewives of Atlanta recently hosted a "sip 'n' see" at her mansion for guests (men and women alike) to drink mimosas, eat sushi, and ooh and aah over her newborn.
"It's a trend that is definitely picking up," said Kate Ward, site director at TheBump.com, a pregnancy website where six of 10 women in a recent survey said they had had or were planning a welcome-baby party instead of a regular shower.
And be honest, ladies. Watching a pregnant woman unwrap countless onesies, diaper creams, and pacifiers ("My child loved that kind the best!") at an old-school baby shower can be torturous. Not to mention the dubious joys of playing "guess Mom's tummy size" or "pin the sperm on the egg."
"I don't know a woman who really enjoys that part of baby showers," Ward said. "At a meet-and-greet, there's a much better distraction. The focus is on the baby versus the pregnancy and the gifts. It's much more inclusive, and the vibe can just be nicer."
