Following a birth and return from the hospital, it is customary for the mother and child to observe a forty-day period during which they rest and recuperate from the delivery by refraining from leaving the home. This interlude allows the child and parents to bond and also affords the mother adequate time to heal. Traditionally, the first place that the child is then brought to is the Church where it is dedicated to the Lord through the Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation. 

The roots of this custom can be traced to the Old Testament Book of Leviticus (chapter 12), but the reason why it is still observed probably comes via the example set by Mary and Joseph who brought the Christ Child into the Temple to be formally dedicated or “presented” to God (Luke 2:22-40).

Although there are no hard, fast rules stipulating that this forty-day waiting period must be kept (I have baptized children much earlier and much later due to varying reasons and circumstances) the Church, in its divine wisdom, does encourage us to follow this practice.