Pets and Babies - How Do You Manage?

I didn't read through all of the responses so I am not sure if someone suggested this. When I was born, I am not 32, my parents had a beagle. What they did was when I was in the hospital they gave me a blanket to sleep with than when i came home they gave that to the dog so she can smell me and get use to me. They were concerned as to how she was going to react with me. But she actually be came my buddy from the start. She would sit next to my crib and my parents said when I started to cry or move she would go and get them. Sort of whine and walk backwards until they followed her. We were very close until she passed away. I was 12 years old when that happened. Hope this helps.

J.,
Congratulations on the new additions. It seems the other responders covered everything I thought of. My two older kids 5 and 4 year olds grew up with 4 doggies. We took home the nursery blanket for them to smell before the first baby arrived. Then when we got home, we took the doggies outside for 15 minutes while mom and baby relaxed in bed. The doggies came in very curiously and sniffed and curled up by the bed. As the kids grew, they learned their "sea legs" by wading through the doggie sea. It was good for balance, etc. I've also heard that many pets in the home helps with children's immune responses to some allergens - don't quote me! Our last was born into a home with 1 dog and 1 cat, and no ill responses at all. Like the other ladies said, they accept the humans as a new addition to their pack. Good luck! C. R.

What a wonderful blessing, 2 little girls to add to your canine and feline family. I have had dogs all my life and I had 3 beautiful, intelligent and gentle mutts when my son was born, a labrador when my daughter was born and presently have 2 jack russells. It's all about getting into the swing of a new routine. I agree with Christine's response 100%. This is exactly how I did it everytime I introduced a new baby. The dogs would sniff the baby until their hearts content and walk away. Be mindful at this moment of their reactions, this is the moment you can pick out the trouble makers should there be any and set your boundaries should you need to. You can also not allow the dogs or cats in the room from the very beginning. Here's how a friend of mine did it. The moment the dogs followed her in, she set the baby down and led the dogs out with a command of her choice. After about 15 minutes of the same thing (and a couple of more days of training this way), the dogs understood and began sitting at the babies room threshold and would not enter unless given the command to do so. They came to know babies room was off limits. As for cats, a spray bottle with water works wonders when you want to train them. Another friend of mine would spray her cats once and they'd run for cover. They came to learn babies room was off limits. The screen door sounds like a fabulous idea should you not desire or have the energy to train the pets. You can hang a baby girl wreath or their names with ribbon....really snazz it up and keep all pets out. As for taking the dogs out, work out a schedule with your husband before the babies arrive, of course, it will be subject to change when the babies arrive but you will find your groove. Good luck.

Congrats, J.... I am the proud mom of not only an 8 week old daughter, but two dogs...haha...They are large breeds and weigh about 100 pounds each..
I was especially concerned about how my Labrador would respond to the baby. He's a very sweet dog, but VERY hyperactive (always jumping around, always running after people, etc). I was pleasantly surprised to see how low-key he is around my daughter. It happened instantly. Even when I have her in the baby swing, he'll walk up alongside her and give her a lick on the side of her head as she rocks back and forth. I think dogs are overly sensitive to caring for the littlest pack member(s). I knew I wouldnt really have a problem with my older dog (a 6 year old American Bulldog) because she is very sweet and low-key to begin with. I really cant speak to cats around babies since I dont have any at this point, although when I was a child we had several and they never scratched me:). Isolating them may not be a great idea (even for part of the day) because as I recall cats are just as territorial as dogs and may feel left out of the new dynamic - although it will be more work for you in the beginning, getting them all adjusted to each other is the only way to go. After all, you've gotten 2 cats and 2 dogs living in harmony so far, you must know what you're doing .... Best of luck!

You say you are bringing home babies right? How fast do you think they will be running around? Your animals will have time to get to know the girls before they start getting around on their own. You may want to be careful at first that the dogs do not show signs of being jeleous of the babies. If the cats are old, do you think they want to even bother with the babies? They will more then likely come and investigate them and then be on their way. Don't worry, but watch closely for the first month or 2. Everyone should get along fine.

BTW Congrates, better you then me. I'm too old for all that!

I have 3 cats, 2 bunnies, 1 spider, 1 fish in our house now. When my daughter was born we lived with my parents. In that house there was: 4 cats, 2 dogs, tons of fish, 1 spider, tons of birds and I think that is it. Our dogs were great with the baby. My male dog was very protective of me during my pregnancy. I never saw him like that before. He is older too so i was worried her would be crabby with the baby. Now when we visit she pulls his ears, rides on him and he doesn't care. he never tried to bite her. The cats are also surprisingly calm with her. We got a kitten when she was almost 2 and they are inseparable. They are practically siblings. All the animals are good with her.

Recently we took in a stray and even she is calm with a toddler. So if your animals respect you as head of the household they shouldn't be a problem.

Arent you supposed to be careful with cats when youre pregnant.??

J.,

Animals are very intuitive and completely understand the fragile nature of infants. You really don't have anything to worry about.

The biggest concern would be having a cat jump up and sleep with an infant and the infant having a hard time breathing. We made sure the cats were out of the room when it came to nap time until our kids were old enough to roll over.

You'll be quite busy with twins and have much more important things to worry about than this issue, believe me!

I have the most spoiled and loved Boston terrier. He was my baby before I got pregnant, he sleeps with my husband and I and went everywhere with us. When I discovered I was pregnant I was very concerned on how he would react. My family (brothers, in-laws) were concerned on how he would react once the baby arrived. He is very protective and when ever anyone comes to visit he jumps up on them and bites toes.
Well the day we came home from the hospital he has been amazing. He is intrigued but so good and cute with my baby boy. When ever he cries my boston hides under the crib so funny. I would not worry animals are amazing and I just make sure whenever my baby is napping I cuddle and give my dog tons of love.I also take both of them on walks around the neighborhood, so he is still included or ask your hubby to come with so it is easier on you. I was just as worried as you are it all works out in the end! Best of Luck!!

J.,
I have three kids and 2 dogs. My dogs never really bothered with the kids. Someone told me that when the baby was born, take home the first cap that they ut on them, let the pets smell that, so that they are familiar with the smell of the baby. When I came home from the hospital put the babies on the floor in their carseats and let the dogs sniff around them. them sniffed them and then went the other way. One thing I can tell you from experience is to let someone else carry the babies into the house for the first time. If your dogs are anything like mine they were more excited to see me that they were to see the babies.

As far as cats, I have never owned any. the only suggestion that I do have is to try to keep them out of the nursery. I know that cats can jump over gates, but a frient of mine had a great idea. She had two cats when her son was born and she got really mad one night when she went to put the baby down and had to chase the cats out of the crib. She had her husband go to HOme Depot the next day and figure out what to do to keep the cats out of the bedroom. he purchased a very nice looking wooden screen porch door. he painted the door to match the bedroom and he bought letters and put the baby's name on it. It really looked neat and it kept the cats and dog out and they were still able to hear the baby and the room didn't have to be closed up. It might sound weird, but if you or anyone you know are creative you could really have fun with this. Good Luck!!
C.