When to Have Your Child Baptised Like the celebration of the other six sacraments, the Sacrament of Baptism is, first and foremost, an act of homage paid to the living God rather than a social event. The Sacrament of Baptism is the gateway to heaven and salvation. Without it, no one can get to heaven (John 3:3-5). Therefore, a child should be baptised at the earliest possible opportunity after birth without waiting until arrangements for a full social gathering can be put in place.