What to write / What to write in a new baby card
What to write in a new baby card
A new baby card is one of the happiest cards to write and one of the easiest to get stuck on. "Congratulations" is the obvious first word, and after it the pen tends to hover.
Below are 56 messages to use as they are or bend to fit: for close friends, family and colleagues, for second babies, twins and adoptions, and for babies who arrived early or after a hard road.
The one thing that matters most: write to the parents as well as about the baby. They are thrilled, tired and a bit dazed, and a kind word aimed at them goes a long way.
How to write one
Use the baby's name if you know it
If the parents have announced a name, put it in your first line. It turns a general congratulations into a card for this particular baby, and it is the line the parents will read twice. Check the spelling against the announcement first.
Say something to the parents as people
New parents get a great many cards about the baby and very few about them. One line that notices them (how happy they look, how good they will be at this, how long you have known them) is the one they will keep.
Leave the advice out
They will be given more advice in the first fortnight than anyone could use. A card is the place for congratulations and a practical offer: dinner on the step, a pram walk, the school run for the older one. Make the offer specific and easy to say yes to.
If you haven't met the baby yet
Say so, cheerfully. "We can't wait to meet you" is true and kind, and it puts no pressure on anyone to arrange a visit. Leave the timing to the parents.
When things have been hard
If the baby came early, is still in hospital or arrived after a long and difficult wait, keep the card gentle. Welcome the baby, send love to the parents and say there is no need to reply. Leave out anything about what went before unless they have talked about it openly with you.
Short new baby messages
For a group card, a gift tag or when a line is all you need.
Welcome to the world, little one. You've picked a lovely family to land in.
A whole new person. Well done, both of you.
So happy for you both. What a lovely bit of news to get on an ordinary Tuesday.
Congratulations. The world is one small person better off.
Wonderful news. Sending love to all three of you.
New baby messages for close friends
Write to your friend first and the baby second.
I have known you through bad haircuts, worse flats and one terrible tent, and I have never seen you look as happy as you do in that photo. Congratulations, both of you.
You two are going to be brilliant at this. That baby has no idea how lucky they are, but they'll work it out.
I'm so happy for you that I've told the whole office, the neighbours and a woman at the bus stop. Congratulations.
Consider me on call: pram walks, emergency biscuits, and holding the baby while you have a shower in peace.
Before all this was about the baby it was about you two, and it still is. I'm coming round with dinner and I'm not staying long.
New baby wishes for a son or daughter
For when your own child has a child, and you are a grandparent.
It seems about five minutes since we brought you home, and now here you are with one of your own. We couldn't be prouder. Congratulations, love.
You made us parents and now you've made us grandparents. Both times, you got it exactly right.
Watching you hold your baby is the best thing we've seen in years. You're a natural, and we're only ever a phone call away.
Congratulations, darling. We promise to spoil this baby a sensible amount, which is to say quite a lot.
We love this baby already, and we love you just as much as the day you arrived. Ring us any time, the small hours included.
New baby wishes for a brother or sister
For a new aunt or uncle. A little teasing is allowed.
I can't quite believe my little brother is somebody's dad. I can believe he'll be a good one. Congratulations to you both.
Thank you for making me an auntie. I plan to take it very seriously: noisy presents, extra pudding and always being on the baby's side.
Uncle reporting for duty. I can't change a nappy yet, but I can make tea, do the big shop and pull faces. Congratulations.
My sister, a mum. You looked after me long before you had to, so this little one is in very good hands.
We shared a bedroom, a bike and the back seat of the car, and now you've got a baby. I couldn't be more pleased for you.
New baby messages for a colleague, or from the whole team
Warm and brief, with nothing about when they are coming back.
Congratulations on your new arrival. Everything here is in hand, so please don't give us a second thought.
Lovely news. Enjoy every bit of your leave and don't open a single email. We'll still be here.
Congratulations to you and your family. The photo has been round the whole office twice this morning.
From all of us: congratulations. Your mug is safe, your plant is being watered, and we can't wait to hear all about it.
Congratulations from the whole team. We took a vote and it was unanimous: that is a very fine baby.
For a second or third baby, and for twins
Later babies deserve a card every bit as much as the first.
Congratulations on number two. You already know what you're doing, which must be a comfort at three in the morning.
Another one for the team. Your house was never quiet anyway, and it's all the better for it. Congratulations to you all.
Three children. You are now officially outnumbered, and we have never seen you look happier. Congratulations.
Two babies, two cots, two of everything, and one very proud family. Congratulations on your twins.
Twins. You never did do things by halves. Congratulations to all four of you.
We hear there are two of them. We'd like to book a cuddle with each, in whichever order suits. Congratulations.
New baby girl and baby boy messages
Wish them character, not pink or blue.
Congratulations on your baby girl. I hope she is curious, kind and gloriously loud, and that she gets your sense of humour.
A baby girl. Whoever she turns out to be, she is starting out with two people who think the world of her. Congratulations.
Welcome, little girl. There are books to read, puddles to jump in and a lot of people queuing up to meet you.
Congratulations on your baby boy. I hope he is gentle, funny and good at sleeping, in whichever order he likes.
A son. I hope he gets your kindness, your laugh and your way with a roast potato. Congratulations to you both.
Welcome, little boy. There are songs to learn, dogs to meet and a great many cuddles with your name on.
What to write in an adoption card
The same joy as any new arrival. Welcome the child and congratulate the family.
Welcome to the family. They have been getting ready for you for a long time, and so have we.
A family is the people who turn up for each other, and you two always have. We're so glad you have found one another. Congratulations.
Some people are worth every form, every meeting and every bit of waiting. Congratulations on becoming a family.
Welcome home: two small words we know you have waited to say. Much love to all of you today.
We've watched you get ready for this with such care. Now the good bit starts. Congratulations, and welcome to the newest member of the family.
For a baby who arrived early or after a hard road
Gentle, with no jokes and no pressure to reply.
Welcome to the world, a little ahead of schedule. You have already shown everyone what you're made of. Thinking of all three of you.
Thinking of you while your little one is being looked after. No need to reply. We're here for lifts, dinners and anything else, whenever you say.
We know the road here wasn't an easy one. We're so very glad for you, and we're thinking of you all with a great deal of love.
What a beautiful baby. There's no rush for visitors or thank-yous. We'll be here when you're ready.
So small and already so loved. We're cheering on every ounce. Much love to you both, and take everything at your own pace.
Funny new baby messages
For parents you know will laugh, even on four hours' sleep.
Congratulations. Say goodbye to lie-ins, clean shoulders and leaving the house in under an hour. Worth it, by all accounts.
Welcome to parenthood, where a cup of tea is something you make, lose, find cold at four o'clock and drink anyway.
Congratulations on your tiny new boss. The hours are terrible, the feedback is loud and there is no annual leave.
You have made a person. I can barely keep a houseplant going. Hats off to both of you.
Here's to quick nappy changes, long naps and a washing machine that never lets you down. Congratulations, you lovely tired people.
To the new big brother or sister
A line of their own in the card, or a small card just for them.
Congratulations on your promotion to big brother. It's an important job, and you are just the person for it.
You are a big sister now. That puts you in charge of cuddles, silly faces and showing the baby how everything works.
The baby is very lucky to have you. They can't play yet, but give them time, and keep your best toys on a high shelf.
Being the big one is brilliant. You know where the biscuits are kept, and the baby hasn't got a clue.
What to leave out
- Advice of any kind, however well meant: sleep, feeding and routines are theirs to work out.
- Remarks about the birth, the baby's weight or how anyone looks.
- "At last", "finally" or "about time", which can sting after a long wait.
- Asking when you can visit, or when the next one is due.
- In an adoption card, "your own child" or "real parents": the child is their own and they are the parents.
Questions people ask
What do you write in a new baby card?
Congratulations, a welcome for the baby by name if you know it, and one warm line for the parents. Two or three sentences is plenty. If you are close, add a specific offer of help.
What do you write if you don't know the baby's name yet?
"Welcome, little one" or "your new arrival" does the job well. Don't guess, and don't hold the card back while you wait for a name: the congratulations matter more.
What do you write in a new baby card for a colleague?
Keep it warm and brief: congratulations, a good wish for their leave and a line to say work is in hand. Leave out anything about when they are coming back.
What do you write when a baby is born early or is in hospital?
Welcome the baby and send love to the parents. Say you are thinking of them, offer something practical such as lifts or meals, and tell them there is no need to reply. Keep the jokes for another card.
Should you mention older brothers and sisters?
Yes, if there are any. A line for the new big brother or sister, or a small card of their own, means a lot to a child who has just had to share the limelight.
When should you send a new baby card?
Once the parents have shared the news themselves. Any time in the first few weeks is fine, and a late card is still welcome. If you would like it to arrive the same day, an animated card sent by WhatsApp or email gets there in minutes.