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Baby Shower Food and Drink Ideas (With Pregnancy-Safe Options)

Menu ideas for baby showers, from brunch to afternoon tea, with a guide to keeping the mum-to-be safe, alcohol-free drink ideas and tips on allergies.

Before you use this guide: This is general educational information, not an individual medical assessment. We do not identify a clinician reviewer on this page, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor, midwife or paediatrician.

Good food makes a baby shower feel generous, and it does not need to be fancy. The key is to offer something for everyone, including the guest of honour, who may have a long list of foods she is avoiding or struggling to eat.

Pick a style

• Brunch: pastries, fruit, yoghurt pots, egg-based dishes cooked through and a juice bar.
• Afternoon tea: small sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, mini cakes and a pot of tea.
• Finger-food buffet: sausage rolls, mini quiches, vegetable sticks with dips, small sandwiches and skewers.
• Barbecue: burgers, grilled vegetables, salads and corn. Cook meat all the way through.
• Dessert-only party: a cake, cupcakes, cookies and fruit for an afternoon or evening party.
• Potluck: guests bring a dish. It saves money, but label each dish and the ingredients.

How much to serve

As a rough guide, for a two to three hour party that is not a full meal, plan on about four to six finger-food portions per guest, plus a slice of cake or two sweet items. Offer at least one drink per guest per hour. Round up if you have hungry teenagers, and if you serve a main course, simplify the rest of the menu.

Keeping the mum-to-be safe

Most party food is fine in pregnancy, but a few items carry a higher risk of infections such as listeria and salmonella. Advice differs a little between countries, so the mum-to-be should follow what her own midwife or doctor says. Our guide to foods to avoid in pregnancy has the full detail. For a party, think about:

• Cheese: choose pasteurised cheeses. Soft mould-ripened cheeses such as brie and camembert are usually avoided unless cooked until steaming hot.
• Deli and cured meats: these are often left off the menu, or served hot, depending on local advice.
• Pâté and smoked or raw fish: usually best avoided.
• Eggs: dishes with raw or undercooked egg, such as homemade mayonnaise, mousses and some desserts, are best skipped unless the eggs are pasteurised or the local guidance says otherwise.
• Salad and fruit: wash them well.
• Keep hot food hot and cold food cold, and do not leave food out for more than about two hours.

A simple way to help is to put small labels on dishes that are suitable for pregnancy, or to set aside a plate for the mum-to-be before the buffet opens.

Alcohol-free drinks

There is no known safe amount of alcohol in pregnancy, so the mum-to-be will not be drinking it. It is kind to make the drinks a feature for everyone rather than serving a special “mum drink”.

• A sparkling juice bar with fruit, mint and ice.
• Lemonade with fresh berries, cucumber or ginger.
• A pitcher of iced tea or hibiscus tea. Check that herbal teas are suitable in pregnancy.
• A mocktail made with fruit juice, soda water and a splash of syrup.
• Hot chocolate or a mulled apple drink in winter.
• Water infused with citrus or herbs, always on offer.

Dietary needs and allergies

• Ask about allergies and dietary needs in the invitation or on the RSVP.
• Have at least a few vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free options.
• Label any dish that contains nuts, and consider a nut-free party if a guest has a serious allergy.
• Check whether there are religious or cultural food needs, such as halal, kosher or no beef.

Showstopper cakes and sweets

• A simple cake with the parents' favourite flavour, decorated in the colour theme.
• Cupcakes or mini cakes, which are easy to serve and share.
• A dessert table with biscuits, brownies, macarons and fruit skewers.
• A sweet jar for guests to fill and take home as a favour.

A note for the host

Pregnancy can cause nausea, heartburn and unusual cravings, so keep plain options available, such as crackers, bread, plain biscuits or fruit. Offer a place to sit down and rest, because standing in a queue for food can be tiring in the third trimester.

This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.