A new baby congratulations card needs four things: the baby's name, the birth date, one or two sentences for the parents, and your signature. Send it within two weeks of the birth. A standard A2 card measures 4.375 by 5.75 inches and mails with one First-Class stamp.
What to write inside
Keep it short. Parents read cards in 20 seconds between feedings. Name the baby, name the parents, and stop.
- “Congratulations on [baby's name]. Welcome.”
- “[Baby's name] arrived on March 3. We are happy for you both.”
- “Two hands, ten fingers, one loud voice. Congrats.”
Use the correct spelling of the first and middle name. A card with the right spelling goes in the memory box. A card with the wrong spelling goes in the bin.
When to send it
Two weeks is the window. Cards that land at week six still work. Cards that land at month four need a line about the delay. The CDC counts about 3.6 million births in the United States each year, so 3.6 million sets of parents spend the first month on short sleep and short feeding cycles.
Card size and postage
USPS First-Class Mail covers envelopes up to 6.125 by 11.5 inches, up to 0.25 inch thick, and up to 1 ounce. An A2 card with a paper envelope sits under 1 ounce. Square envelopes cost more because USPS adds a nonmachinable surcharge. Buy a rectangular envelope for the base rate.
Lines to leave out
- Advice on sleep, feeding, or discipline.
- Comments on the baby's weight.
- Your own birth story.
- Questions about a second baby.
- “Sleep while you can.”
Twins, adoption, and grandparents
Twins: write both names on one card, or mail two cards. One card per baby reads as a gift count.
Adoption: skip birth weight and the hospital. Use the placement date and the child's name.
Grandparents: a card to the new grandparents is a separate note. The same rules apply.
Address and sign
Write both parents' names on the envelope when you know them. Add your return address. Sign with your full name if the parents know more than one person with your first name.
Card stock notes
Cards printed on 100 lb cover stock hold a pen and stand on a shelf. Glossy stock smears gel ink. Test your pen on the back of the card before you write the message.