Birth Announcements Etiquette
Everyone has one of them...an Aunt Bonnie or Great Grandma Trudy--a family member who scrutinizes every announcement, wedding invitation, thank you note or baby announcement for proper grammar, "according to Miss Manners"..., your "t's" crossed and your "i's" dotted...Take the guess work out of birth announcement etiquette with Talk For Tots' simple guide to what you need to know when sharing the details & stats of your newborn baby with friends & family.
Baby Birth Announcements by Talk For Tots, a guide to etiquette
Who's on the mailing list
We are passionate about helping parents share news of the birth a child with friends & family in an exciting way and our team of designers design birth announcements to help you do just that! Who wouldn't want to share in the good news of a new baby? So, send birth announcements to anyone you think might want to share your joy! Your list should include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, best friends, neighbors, coworkers, old school friends -- high school & college, anyone who you'd like to share your new baby news with!
Sending Birth Announcements - A Timeline
You'll want to share your baby news with unique birth announcements from Talk For Tots as soon after your baby's arrival as possible. A little early preparation goes a long way in taking the pressure and stress off of you. By selecting a design, writing your verse, pre ordering envelopes, addressing and stamping them of time, you will be prepared to send your announcements as soon as your baby arrives. Once the new bundle of joy arrives, just email or call Talk For Tots with your baby's date of birth, weight, height and other important stats, and we'll promptly finish your order, print your birth announcements and ship them to you right away! (Shipping is FREE on all US orders!)
For whatever reason, you may prefer to take some time after baby arrives before sending out birth announcements. If this is your case, six months is the longest you should wait to send out birth announcements. In extreme cases such as a preemie birth, you can turn a birth announcement into a "coming home" announcement and in this case, it is acceptable to wait up to 8-12 months to send out birth announcements.
Details to Include In Birth Announcements
You don't have to be an accomplished author to write a heartfelt birth announcement introduction verse! Through the years, Talk For Tots has compiled sample verses HERE that will inspire you to word your birth announcements in just the right fashion. A birth announcement typically includes:
- The Introduction:
Include a short scripture passage from the bible, a poem or a popular phrase to personalize your birth announcement sentiments. Or, try one of the traditional opening lines:
- We proudly announce the birth of... Join us in welcoming... Maddison has a new baby brother!
- Baby's Name:
Typically, parents include both the first and middle names the baby. It is perfectly acceptable to use the baby's first, middle and last names.
- Important Birth Details:
The standard usually includes the baby's birth date, weight and length. If you'd prefer, you can also share the time and/or place of the birth as well.
- Family Members' Names:
Include the parents' names, followed by the names of the siblings at the close of the birth announcement. You can also add an descriptive phrase such as "Proud Parents" and "Big Brothers" in front of family members' names to describe personal sentiments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include a photo of my baby with each birth announcement?
There is no set "etiquette" concerning baby photos. Some parents choose to include a photo of their newborn, while others choose to wait to send baby photos later on. Both practices are widely accepted, so make the choice that suits your specific situation. Alternatively, you can kill two birds with one stone (especially around the holidays) by opting to purchase photo birth announcements. Talk For Tots offers a unique collection of photo baby announcements and you are sure to find just the right style to announce your new baby!
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Should I buy thank you notes for my baby?
Yes! Personalized thank you notes for newborns expresses gratitude and shows appreciation for the gifts and warm sentiments that come to you and your baby.
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What kind of announcement should I use for twins?
Talk For Tots offers a variety of birth announcements styles and layouts to accommodate your twin babies or multiples. You can choose to place twin #1 on the right of the announcement and twin #2 on the left or you can choose a linear layout. Check out Talk For Tots selection of birth announcements designed specifically with twins in mind!
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My baby(ies) was(were) premature, how should I present the birth details like weight and length?
Many parents of preemies have reservations about including their newborn's birth weight or height so don't feel alone. It is perfectly acceptable to omit these stats from your birth announcements altogether.
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Mommy's or Daddy's name first?
Etiquette has dictated that the father's name goes closest to his last name. Here's an example:
- Proud Parents, Susan and John Shepherd
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I kept my maiden name--how should I word our names on my child's birth announcement?
Always include the full names of both parents on birth announcements regardless of whether your last names are the same. Here's an example:
- John Shepherd and Susan Anderson
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How about a hyphenated name?
Again, always include the full names of both parents on birth announcements regardless of whether your last are the same. Here's an example:
- John Shepherd and Susan Anderson-Shepherd
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And if we aren't married?
Same practice. Afterall, the purpose is announcing the baby's birth, not your marital status. Here's an example:
- John Shepherd and Susan Anderson
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How do we announce an adoption?
Adoptions are particularly close to our hearts here at Talk For Tots. Sending adoption announcements lets your loved ones know that your family has welcomed a new life to love! We encourage you to include your adopted child's birth date even if it was two or three years ago, and the finalization date of the adoption. If you are adopting internationally, including your adopted child's native country is an extra special touch. These announcements are a beautiful way to celebrate this special event in both your lives!
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Should I sign or handwrite a personal message on each announcement?
No. Adjusting to parenthood and having a new baby keeps you busy and tired! Your friends and family will understand that you are either too busy to sign each card, too tired to personalize a message or a combination of both. It is acceptable for you or a family member to add a small message for close relatives like aunts or uncles, if you feel you have the time. But friends aren't expecting a handwritten message.
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