Margaret, the early baptism was done because of high infant mortality. There was no vaccination and those childhood diseases were often deadly. In addition there was thyphoid, malaria and name it. As the Catholic church teaches the person should have been baptized before dying. There was no custom of baby shower before WW2. Currently many American customs are practiced as f.i. Halloween parties. They still visit their dead at the cemeteries on All Souls' Day but they also have parties. I would think that with the high risk of childbirth complications (or rather no help possible, should they happen) in those days people would refrain from celebrations ( f.i. baby shower) before the actual happy arrival occurs. It seems the aunts would instead get busy knitting and making other preparations for the baby's comfort. Maybe sewing coverlets for the crib. For some reason (I do not know why), the mother was not supposed to go to the church for the baptism. The baby was carried by his or her godfather or godmother (for the girls). To be chosen as a godfather or godmother was great honor. The baby given your name, was another. Prior to the arrival the whole family enjoyed suggesting names, but the baby's parents decided. As you can see the customs had more to do with the times than with any ethnic tradition. Until not too long ago women giving birth were in great danger, almost unconceivable now. Tatjana