Don't you feel happy when you hear the news of the birth of a baby from a close friend, colleague, or someone you know? 

So, you might prepare a gift to celebrate the birth, but when is the ideal time to give it? 

Because birth is such an important event, the timing of giving a baby gift can be quite sensitive. 

This time, we will talk about when you should give a baby gift, so please use this as a reference. 

When is the best time to give a baby gift? 

Unlike wedding gifts, giving a baby gift can be quite nerve-wracking for the giver. 

This is because it is related to the health of the mother and baby. 

Generally, it is said that the best time to give a baby gift is between 7 days and 1 month after birth. 

Family or relatives giving birth 

If a family member or relative is about to give birth, there is no problem in sending congratulations even before the birth. 

If they are family or relatives, you can contact Mom and Dad anytime, so you don't have to worry about anything. 

However, depending on the mother's health condition and the timing of the baby's birth, it is best to give it to the baby as early as possible before the birth, or after birth, around 7 days to 1 month after birth. 

A friend or coworker gives birth 

If a friend or work colleague is giving birth, you should give your congratulations after the birth, if possible. 

This is because if you give a gift before the birth and something happens to the mother or baby, it may be irreversible. 

Since childbirth is a life-threatening event, you should aim to give the baby about 7 days to 1 month after the baby has given birth safely, just in case. 

What is the etiquette for giving a baby gift? 

Baby gifts can be given in person or sent by mail. 

In most cases, gifts are either delivered to your home or sent by mail, but there are etiquette rules for each, so be aware of them. 

Bring it home 

If you plan to bring a baby gift to the baby's home, you should ask permission in advance. 

After all, childbirth is such a major event, so the person giving the gift must be careful. 

Birth is a celebratory event, and with so many people rushing to the home, it's easy to imagine how exhausting it can be for mom and dad. 

If you really want to give a baby gift in person, be prepared to be flexible and adapt according to the mother's physical condition. 

Send by mail 

When giving a gift, you might think about sending it by mail because it feels more heartfelt to hand it over in person.

When it comes to sending gifts for a new baby, there is absolutely nothing wrong with sending them by mail; in fact, sending them by mail is ideal. 

This is because dealing with an increase in visitors puts a great burden on moms, dads, and babies. 

If you send it by mail, all you have to do is collect the package from the delivery person, so it's not a burden on either mom or dad. 

To reduce the burden as much as possible, let mom and dad know in advance what time you will be giving the gift. 

Also, even though there has been less interest in the coronavirus recently, visiting someone can still spread various infectious diseases, so sending by mail is the safest method. 

Take to the hospital 

Generally, birth gifts are given between 7 days and 1 month after birth, but there are many cases where you may want to give a birth gift while the mother is in hospital. 

However, we do not recommend giving a baby gift while the person is in the hospital. 

This is because both the mother and the baby may be in different health conditions, and above all, it may be a nuisance to other patients. 

It's not a problem if the mother has to be hospitalized, but the person giving the baby gift should absolutely not go to the hospital to deliver the gift. 

Also, even if you have the opportunity to give a baby gift while the person is hospitalized, do not stay too long and leave the hospital as soon as possible. 

For information on what to give as a baby shower gift, please refer to this article → [For babies and mothers] 13 gifts that will make you happy to receive as a baby shower gift

What if you miss the opportunity to give a baby gift? 

It is possible that for some reason, you missed the opportunity to give a baby gift. 

However, you should be careful because even if you prepare a baby gift as soon as you remember, it may come across as rude. 

If your baby is over one month old 

The proper time to give a baby gift is between 7 days and one month after birth, but there are cases where, for some reason, it can take longer than one month. 

If your baby is over one month old, there is no problem. 

However, if it's been two or three months, it will be too late to hand it over, so you should include at least a message of apology. 

If your child is over 6 months old

If the baby is over 6 months old, it might be a good idea to give it as a gift for something other than a baby shower. 

There are regular celebrations related to your child throughout the year, so it's a good idea to give a subtle gift at those times. 

If the child is more than one year old 

It may be difficult to give a baby gift when the baby is more than a year old. 

However, if you have a relationship with the person, you should still send a gift, even if it is late, with a note attached. 

However, it would seem unnatural to give it as a baby gift, so it is ideal to give it as a regular birthday present, such as on the child's birthday. 

At that time, if you can honestly tell the mom and dad just one word about how you forgot to give them a baby gift, it may change their impression of you. 

What should I be careful about when sending a baby gift by mail? 

When thinking about the mom, dad, and baby, many people would like to send a baby gift by mail. 

For a normal gift, you simply purchase the item and mail it, but when it comes to a baby gift, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

Gift tag 

If you are sending a baby gift by mail, be sure to remember to attach a gift tag.

There are outer and inner noshi wrapping methods, but if you are sending by mail, it is preferable to use inner noshi wrapping to prevent the noshi paper from getting damaged. 

There are several types of mizuhiki, but for a baby gift, a bow is chosen. 

The bow symbolizes a celebration that can be repeated over and over again. 

Birth is always a happy event, so bow-knotted Mizuhiki is perfect. 

The envelope should say something like "Congratulations on the birth of your child" or "Congratulations on the birth of your child" and include the sender's name. 

When doing this, be careful not to make the sender's name larger than the name on the envelope. 

In many cases, the addressee is usually the mother who has given birth. 

message 

It's fine to simply give a baby gift, but to add a little extra flair, it's important to include a message. 

We recommend that you send a positive message, such as congratulations on the birth and wishes the baby good health. 

On the other hand, avoid messages that give negative impressions, such as pain or illness. 

Also, if for some reason you have not been informed of the baby's gender, be sure to choose a gift that would be appropriate for either a boy or a girl. 

Also, please refer to this article for points to note about what to give as a baby shower gift → How to choose the right baby shower gift? Explanation of what not to give and the average price range

summary

It's a very happy occasion to receive news of the birth of a baby from relatives or friends, and it's also fun to think about what to give as a baby gift. 

When giving a baby gift, the health of the mother and baby should be given first and foremost, and it is considered ideal to give the gift between 7 days and 1 month after birth. 

It would be nice if you could give the baby gift in person, but to be as considerate of the mother and baby as possible, why not consider sending it by mail depending on the situation?