Am I being utterly mad to want my baby boy to wear a gown at his baptism?

[Mumoftwo8519]

Feel like I need some clarity here.
My 8month old son is being baptised soon and both me and DH would really like him to wear a traditional long Christening gown.
i know these days boys tend to wear rompers or little shorts and a tshirt, but I’d still prefer him to wear a gown - i think!
BUT is this ever a done thing nowadays? Am I being utterly mad to want my son to wear a long dress at his baptism? Even if it’s not your preference, if you went to a christening service of a friend and they had their son in a gown would you think they were odd?
The gown I have ordered is pictured. It’s the most unisex one I could find and I do think it’s plain enough for him to wear. It’s arrived and it’s lovely but not sure if people will just think it’s weird when they see him in it 😂

I'm a parish minister and almost every baby I baptise is wearing a long gown. Exceptions tend to be if there's a family christening robe and they've discovered at the last minute that the child has outgrown it.

I'm sure he'll look lovely!

I think gowns look much nicer, personally.

That is exactly what I'd expect him to be wearing.

My son was baptised in smart shorts and t shirt but he was a bit older than your lad and it was the middle of summer! I would've put him in a gown if he was younger and my family wouldn't have bat and eyelid. My husband's family on the other hand, different story. I think it's just personal preference but no, I wouldn't think it strange or unusual, just lovely and traditional.

You might want to practice holding him when he's wearing the gown, as they can be a bit unwieldy and end up getting crushed if gathered up under the baby.

My two baby boys wore gowns and my youngest was 11 months so he wore regular clothes. I'd have thought a gown for a baby is perfectly normal.

Team Gown.

My DC wore white suits as due to the pandemic were toddlers but I had always wanted a baptismal gown for them

Do whatever you want. It's private, and as long as you keep the pictures to yourself (wouldn't recommend posting them online or sending his first girlfriend, or whoever, a link in the future!)
This is something you're choosing to do that is special to you, and not hurting anyone.
Enjoy your special day.

I wouldn’t stick an 8MO old in one no. Is he not mobile? One of mine was walking and the other crawling at that age. If he was younger I’d do it though.

My 2 both wore an heirloom gown. It’s currently in the loft and I can’t foresee anyone ever wearing it again! They were only baptised because at the time (early 1990’s) it was kind of expected by the grandparents. Anyone want a 100+ year old christening gown?!

I think it’s lovely to have him wear a baptismal gown.

Go for it. It’s sweet, elegant and traditional. What’s not to like?

My DS was about that age and he wore a gown. I made it out of my wedding dress. His was in Sept. DD was about the same age but it was Feb so I knitted her a little cardigan.
So glad we did this. It wasn't hard to hold him either.

Parky04 That's what confirmation is for.

OP, yes I would have used our family's 150 year old christening robe (if I had had children).

Wow okay i wasn’t expecting to hear anyone say it’s a good idea, so Im really happy to read these replies!
can I then update my post to ask whether this gown (pictured) is too girly? It’s the gown both of my girls wore at their baptism and it would mean a lot to me if he wore it also, but it feels a little bit too girly maybe? That’s why Ive ordered a more plain one for him. Which would you go for?

DS was about 3 months old and wore the family gown with a knitted cardigan my DM made.
My other DC were too big to wear it as I wasn’t as organised with their baptisms.

I would go with the gown your girls wore, but change the cardigan.

Ds did. It was the same gown that his sister, mum, uncle and grandmother were baptised in. We got him a little suit to wear for after the baptism as the gown is very unpractical.

Yes I can definitely get a different cardigan, thank you!

Yes I have a little shorts and shirt set to wear at the reception- the gowns are far too slippery 😂

Yes go with the girls’ gown.
A different cardigan of course. Blue ribbons threaded through?
Gowns are good. Gowns are beautifully traditional. Classy.
Fold it away afterwards for yr grandchildren.

My girl was christened at 6 months in her grandmothers christening gown. Did the service took the official pics then changed her into more comfy things. That was 21 years ago probably the last time she wore a dress 😀

All 3 of my boys wore my christening gown. They were all 12 weeks when they got christened to allow them to fit into it.

Nothing wrong with a christening gown, but 8mo is quite old for one?