The Who, What, When and Why of Sending Birth Announcements

In recent years a new phenomenon has cropped up, the birth announcement. It’s a letter that draws lots of oohs and aws from recipients all over the globe. The birth announcement has become very common place, but parents everywhere have taken up the cause to make sure they are anything but ordinary. From greeting cards to postcards to custom magnets to a personalized photo puzzle, baby announcements and invitations are a trend not likely to go away soon.

Lets begin by taking a look at why and to whom birth announcements are sent. We will also cover what information to add to your birth announcement and when to send baby announcements. Whether they are fun, elegant or sentimental, the key is to make sure that your birth announcements express your personality and sense of style.

What To Send Out as A Birth Announcement

Essentially a greeting card in an envelope to unveil your biggest accomplishment to date, the birth of your baby. Whether it’s your first child as a new parent or your third, announcing your new baby is always a treat for family and friends. Do your baby justice with an announcement using one of our custom shaped invitations that will grace the refrigerators of family and friends for years.

Front of the Card:

A beautiful, hand-painted illustration of a stork delivering a precious bundle, with the words "Announcing Our Little Miracle" written across the top in elegant script.

Inside the Card:

Dear Friends and Family,

We are overjoyed to announce the arrival of our newest addition, [Baby's Name]. Born on [Baby's Birthdate], weighing [Baby's Weight] and measuring [Baby's Length], this little bundle of joy has already stolen our hearts.

We are so grateful for your love and support as we embark on this new chapter as a family of [number of children]. Thank you for being a part of our lives and sharing in our happiness. With love and gratitude,

[Your Family's Names]

About the envelope? It could be a soft pastel envelope with a delicate lace pattern and a wax seal featuring a baby carriage design. The recipient will be delighted to receive such a special announcement in the mail.

Who You Should Send Birth Announcements And Invitations To

There are no real rules as to whom you should send birth announcements to. Like many proud mamas and papas, you probably want to send them out to everyone on your Holiday list, but maybe skip the barista who makes your coffee every morning.

If your baby is born close to Christmas, Hanukkah and the New Year, you might want to think about designing holiday greeting cards featuring your newborn. It’s the perfect marriage of holiday card and birth announcement and certainly one family members will treasure.

When to send out birth announcements 

Having a newborn, especially for the first time, is no walk in the park and people understand. You don’t need to rush and send out birth announcements within the first few weeks of life. Some parents like to wait a few months and allow the baby time to show their personality before sending out postcard announcements to their inner circle.

Other moms and dads create a sort of thank you birth announcement which kills two birds with one stone. Whether you had a baby shower or not, friends, family and colleagues will buy you gifts. Sending a combination birth announcement thank you card is a great idea and a time saver.

Why You Should Send Out Birth Announcements and Invitations

Why not?! You’ve been waiting for this day for nine months and you are certainly not alone. Just as excited as the mom and dad are the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends and colleagues. It’s your baby’s first introduction to the world.

Birth announcements are perhaps even more popular these days because more and more people find themselves living miles away from loved ones. A birth announcement is a perfect way to keep friends and family informed and offer a first photograph of your baby.

Guidelines for Announcement Wording

Announce the happy arrival of your little new addition with glee! How you word your birth announcement is very important to get the right message across that joy. It’s therefore not enough to simply share this information and details. It’s all about leading with tone and sharing all of that excitement in a way that is personal and meaningful. Whatever style you decide on—traditional and formal, or something more relaxed and contemporary—consider these important points. Following these tips will ensure that you’re sending an announcement that accurately reflects your family.

Every birth announcement should include the essential details: the baby’s full name, date of birth, weight, and length. These are the details that everyone will want to know and are often the hook for the story. We’re so happy to welcome Emma Grace Thompson into the world! She was born on 5th October 2023 at 7 pounds 8 ounces and 20 inches long. Having these details included gives your announcement that polished touch. It allows your family and friends to participate in this life-changing experience.

After defining your audience, think about the tone and style of your message. This will usually be based on who your audience is and what medium you are sending your message in. If you want a more formal printed card, go with something more classic. Or, “Over the moon with happiness, we joyfully welcome our daughter Emma Grace Thompson.” If you’re announcing your news on social media, have fun with it and keep it light! Consider introducing her by saying, “She’s here! Introducing Emma Grace—born October 5th, 7 lbs 8 oz, 20 inches of perfection!” Either style works just fine. The important part is just authenticity, or matching your tone to what you normally sound like to your audience.

A little creativity and flair will make your birth announcement stand out from the crowd! Most importantly, let us know how you feel in a quick note. Perhaps you have a favorite birthplace quote, or some other short story! As you can probably tell, we’re pretty excited about it. We’re so excited for you all to meet her! Our hearts couldn’t be happier as we introduce Emma to our world. These small touches will help ensure your birth announcement will stand out as personal and special. They provide a perspective on what you’re feeling during this new and exciting chapter.

Of course, don’t forget to include who the announcement is coming from. Whether it’s signed only by the parents, or has siblings and even pets included here, that gives you a nice way to further customize the message. New parents Sarah and James are over the moon about getting ready to welcome little Emma to their family. Big brother Lucas and four-legged buddy Max can’t wait to welcome her home either! This gives it a very warm, inclusive touch that most recipients will love.

Important Info

You’ve taken hundreds of digital photos to capture that special moment, now what do you include on your greeting card or postcard? Most like to just get right to the statistics: date of birth, time, length, weight, names of parents and names of any and all older siblings.

Some parents like to take this moment to showcase their family’s personality with either a humorous or sentimental message. It’s really up to the individual and what kind of tone you want to set.

Want to standout? Why not take the time to design your own authentic birth announcement by choosing from one of our amazing free invitation templates. You can get the whole family in on the act by using your collective imaginations. We’ll share a few announcements that we found adorable below:

We hope we’ve answered some questions and inspired you with some tips that would help you get your perfect custom invitations in a unique way to announce the most momentous occasion in your life. If you’ve got some extraordinary baby announcements, please share them with us in the comments below or on our social networks!

Traditional Announcement Practices

Tradition influences when and how families choose to announce the arrival of their newest family member. Birth announcements have adhered to these traditions for decades. These practices are based on a strong foundation of timing and etiquette, designed to make announcements come off as timely yet respectful. Knowing the local customs will guide you in figuring out the best way to handle them in your own neck of the woods.

Etiquette-wise, birth announcements are typically sent within the first few weeks of a child’s birth. This period allows parents to settle into their new schedules. At the same time, they ensure that they’re spreading the good news while it’s still fresh and exciting. For example, most families want to send their announcements within two to eight weeks after birth. This window is the sweet spot. It gives parents plenty of time to collect lovely photos or create cards without the announcement news being too old. If you use mail delivery, keep in mind that personalized announcements will take additional time. Production and shipping can take an additional one to two weeks, so be sure to plan ahead!

How you announce can affect timing. Printed cards remain the traditional favorite for families. Many choose to announce their news electronically, particularly with friends and family members who are long-distance. While a digital announcement, such as an email or social media post, can be disseminated quickly, this means you can share the news just days after the birth! For example, parents with a large online social circle might update loved ones via a heartfelt post with a photo of their newborn. This is a smart, cost-effective approach! It complements a mailed card beautifully, providing a more personal touch for those that value it.

If you are welcoming a baby For parents who experience unexpected challenges, such as a longer hospital stay or adjusting to life with multiples, waiting until life feels more manageable is perfectly acceptable. In these circumstances, it can still feel meaningful to send announcements, even if it’s a few months out. One friend had to wait three months due to a prolonged NICU stay. Through all the trouble, though, she was sending out her announcement to positive reactions from everyone who received her announcement.

Ultimately, the timing is up to you and your family to decide what is the right time. Follow tradition, or make your own schedule! Yet with a little creative planning, you can turn your birth announcement into a celebratory experience that’s delightful for you and your friends and family members alike.

FAQs

Q: When should I send out my birth announcements?

A: It is recommended to send your birth announcements as soon as possible after the baby's birth.

Q: What information should I include in my birth announcements?

A: You should include the baby's full name, the time of birth, weight and length, the parents' names, and any other relevant details you wish to share.

Q: Is there a traditional way to word birth announcements?

A: Yes, traditional birth announcements usually include formal wording such as "We are delighted to announce the arrival of [Baby's Full Name], born on [Date] at [Time]."

Q: How should I mail out my birth announcements?

A: You can mail out your birth announcements in envelopes with the necessary postage, or opt for photo birth announcement cards which can be sent like regular greeting cards.

Q: What should I do if I am late to send out my birth announcements?

A: If you are late to send out your announcements, it is still acceptable to do so. Include a brief explanation for the delay if you feel it is necessary.

Q: Should I send a gift with my birth announcements?

A: While it is not required, some people choose to send a small gift along with their birth announcements as a thoughtful gesture.

Q: Do I need to send thank you notes for gifts received with the birth announcements?

A: Yes, it is considered polite to send thank you notes for any gifts received along with your birth announcements.