Welcoming Baby - Cultural Differences

At work this morning I was talking with two other women, one who is Chinese and one who is Indian. We were talking about the different ways in which cultures welcome babies.

For example, the Indian woman told me that traditionally in her culture they do not name the baby until the 7th month when they have a rice ceremony where they serve the baby its first solid meal. Also she said they do not have a shower to give gifts for the baby, they have a party to shower the mother with food while she is pregnant. I thought it was very interesting.

I was wondering, since we seem to be a diverse bunch of women, if any women would be willing to share their cultural traditions just for fun.

For me, I am Italian Catholic heritage. I view myself as pretty 'mainstream' in terms of welcoming babies. We have a shower for the mother before birth and then a christening for the baby once the baby is born to welcome the baby to the Church.

Just wanted to add that I am Italian - American and I think many old-school Italians do not believe in baby showers out of superstitious reasons. My mother did not have one for me or my sister - but we both had christenings with large parties. So, I am not sure if I will have a baby shower unless someone other than my mother throws it (when the time comes some day) but definitely a christening.