Health for Conception and During Pregnancy

What to Eat While Pregnant

Avoiding Miscarriage

Cord Blood Banking

Packing for the Delivery Room

Tips for the New Mom

Bringing Home Baby

Getting Baby to Sleep

Budgeting for Baby

Traveling with Baby

Dressing Your Newborn

Breastfeeding Myths

Finding a Safe Baby Crib

Soothing a Newborn

Losing Weight After Pregnancy

New Infant Etiquette

(NAPSA)—It’s hard not to make a fuss over a new baby, even before the little bundle of joy is born. But people are often stumped about what to give to the new arrival or the parents to be, whether it’s at a baby shower, at the hospital, for baby’s homecoming or at a religious or other special observance.

Peggy Post, the great-granddaughter- in-law of Emily Post, today’s leading authority on etiquette and 1-800-FLOWERS.COM’s etiquette expert, provides gift-giving solutions and advice on what and how to give to your baby:

• Some soon-to-be parents prefer not to have a shower or receive gifts until after the safe arrival of the baby. If that’s the case, loved ones should honor their wishes.

• On the other end of the spectrum, some couples choose to register for items they’ll need in advance.

That’s fine, says Post, but moms and dads should remember two important things: First, the choice of what to give is always up to the giver and no one should be coerced into purchasing gifts from a registry. Second, Post says to communicate registry information politely—wait to be asked if you have registered or what you’d like for a gift. You can then respond with, “I’m sure we’ll love whatever you select, but if you need ideas, we’ve registered
at the XYZ Store.”

• If you’re bringing a gift in person, make sure to call ahead to announce your visit. And regardless of what the new mom and dad say, don’t stay too long.

• If the baby has a big brother and sister, it’s thoughtful to take or send a very small present for him or her as well.

• Finally, Post adds: “Flowers are always a wonderful choice. I haven’t met a new mom yet who didn’t love to get flowers.”

You can celebrate a new baby’s arrival with heartfelt and unique gifts from 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, including Baby’s First Year Gift Set, an exclusive layette set of 16 garments in various sizes to help your baby through a year of growing.