How soon should I have my baby baptized? The Church teaches that all babies born into Catholic families should be baptized as soon as possible after birth. This is because of Christ's teaching on the fundamental importance of baptism. If there is any danger of death the baby must be baptized immediately and anyone can baptize. You pour water over the head of the baby, at the same time saying the words: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Usually, a baby should be baptized four to six weeks after the birth. The time will depend partly on the mother's health for it is important that she is present; and partly on the time needed for the preparation of the parents. This is why it is desirable to inform the priest before the birth that you want to have your child baptized. If you have experienced some difficulties with the practice of your faith you may need to allow a little longer in order to rebuild a life of faith within your family.

The Church has always baptized children soon after they are born as a sign of God's love. Some of the oldest baptisteries contained a second, much smaller, font beside the main one. This was used by children who were too small to stand comfortably in the main font, which in those earliest days of the Church was a deep pool let into the floor. Baptism is a way of showing his love for a child of his. Baptism is the sign by which he loves us and "re-creates" us in his own image. To suggest that a child should be left alone until old enough to make his or her own decision is really to miss the whole point of what baptism is about. And the point, simply, is that just as we need the love of our parents to grow as a human being so do we need the love of our heavenly Father to grow as a child of God. Baptizing a baby, before the baby can make the slightest effort to do anything for his or her own salvation, says very dramatically that all salvation is from God. Clearly, in the adult there must already be an element of faith - some sign of accepting God's love. But the infant is carried to the font by the faith of the family.

You will be given a friendly welcome by the priest who will be happy to arrange for the baptism of you baby in the privacy which you may, perhaps, prefer. So don't worry at all. The priest will simply want to be assured of your child's Catholic upbringing.

Yes, but you will need to allow time for her preparation. She will need to be given some instruction about baptism in order to understand what is happening. You may well feel that you would also find some form of preparation helpful in order to clarify any points about the faith which have given you difficulties. It may be helpful, for example, to speak to the priest in confession, where you will experience the compassion of Jesus Christ himself. People sometimes wonder about how to approach a priest. Try to book a time convenient for both of you in order to meet in an atmosphere of quiet and peace.

Your friend's baby is entrusted to the mysterious but infinitely kind and powerful love of God. If anyone has any doubts about such love then look at the crucifix. The cross proves that God's love is greater than any human mind can understand or follow. Jesus told us that "unless a man is born through water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God". (John 3:5) This has led people to question whether the unbaptized are saved? Various ideas have been put forward to answer the question. Adults who have never heard of Christ, it is said, can have "baptism of desire" provided they live according to their conscience. And unbaptized infants, some suggest, pass into a state of "Limbo" - where the baby is excluded from both heaven and hell. But this latter suggestion has never been universally taught by the Church, whose primary insistence, like that of Jesus himself, is to call every person to repentance, to belief and to baptism.

Baptism is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It means that we become a member of God's family; we become a Christian. We cannot become what we already are. The baptism can't be repeated but it is desirable that you have a celebration in church and share in the prayers and blessings which are part of the baptismal ceremony. You may also wish to appoint godparents at the same time. Such a service is a lovely "thanksgiving" for the safety and well-being of your baby.

In the first few centuries of the Church the custom grew up of changing one's name at baptism to express some Christian idea such as Irene (peace). In succeeding centuries the Church advised parents to call their children after a saint. These customs were confirmed in the 17th century when priests were instructed to discourage parents giving their children "strange, laughable, obscene or idolatrous names". You are not obliged, then, to call your daughter after a saint (although there are plenty to choose from) but the Church still expects you to choose a name which reflects your own Christian faith.

Nothing. There is no charge for a baptism or any other church service. It is customary, however, for an offering to be made. This is at the discretion of the family and may be equivalent, for example, to the cost of your family Sunday lunch or an article of clothing for your baby. But if you cannot afford any offering don't be anxious. It is a purely voluntary contribution.

Yes. Your wife's minister may share in the prayers and readings at your baby's baptism. Discuss it with your priest; he will be happy to explain what is customary.

The Church insists that at least one godparent is a Catholic whose primary role remains that of supporting the parents in bringing up the child in the Christian faith. But most parents choose two. When this happens, provided one godparent is a Catholic, it is certainly allowable for a non-Catholic to act as a witness to the baptism. It remains important, however, that your sister-in-law is baptized and of sufficient age and maturity to appreciate her role.