Baptism- baby- how soon?

[Anicette]

3 months of delay?

well, it the official delay, but not back and white.
The parishes write that because it permits to find a date to organize the preparation.It can be a long wait if we wants to baptized during sunday mass. But it can be faster if all the parameters are ideals (in low season for eg).

 

[Phemie]

I have never seen something like that, yet I know from people in this forum that it is common in the USA.

In my parishes, the children are usually baptized in their second year. If the couple is a practicing Catholic one it is often before the 1t birthday.

I would be hesitate to plan a baptism before a birth. We don’t know the health of the child after the birth. We don’t know we we would be enough in shape ourselves, mothers to organize something.

We encourage all parents to do the preparation and have a godparent chosen before the baby is born. That way there is no need to delay the baptism. Plus it’s usually much easier before baby is born and mom doesn’t have to be concerned about nursing or changing or finding child care to do the sessions.

 

[Anicette]

yes more easier to do the preparation before the birth!

Yet for us, we didn’t have found godparents even if we think of it since the pregnancy! We finally made a default choice.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Canon Law states “a few weeks”. Parties are so fun, however, it is NOT about the party. Baptism is far, far more than an evangelization effort or family reunion. If Baptism does what we claim to believe it does, baptizing a baby is more important than that first pediatrician visit.

 

[Irishmom2]

My mom used to say that people didn’t even take their babies out until they were baptized if it could be avoided.

 

[jlc2k2]

In addition, right now there are so many unknowns with coronavirus restrictions that waiting for a time when everyone can attend could mean a significant delay.

To the OP, we’ve gotten progressively earlier with our baptisms. 6 months with my oldest, 4 months with the twins, 2 weeks with my youngest. We go out for pizza afterwards so I don’t have to host a party while recovering.

If the little one we’re currently expecting is born on her due date she’ll be baptized at 10 days old with not even a pizza outing planned until we know more about what gathering restrictions will look like at that time. I am considering seeing if we can post a recording of the baptism for any family who cannot attend.