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Pets and New Babies
By Teri Hanson
http://www.babychatter.com
So you've done everything you need in preparing
to bring home your new baby. You have the nursery decorated, the layette,
have chosen a name and decided whether to breastfeed or bottle feed. One
thing you may have forgotten is Fluffy and Rover... your pets.
Up until now, your pets have probably been your
"babies" and gotten most of your attention, they are used to being the
king or queen of the house (my cat owns our house, she just lets us live here).
Pets are a very important part of your household, a part of your family.
How will they react to a new member of the family getting all of the attention
that they once received? Will they be jealous? Will they become
unsociable? It is very hard to say as each animal has a different
personality, much like people. The following are a couple points that may
give you some insight and tips for coping with your baby and your pet.
One of the myths I have heard from numerous
sources is that cats will be very jealous and try to smother a baby when they
are sleeping. Also, that they will suck a baby's breath away. I have
heard that this is just a myth, but I wasn't taking any chances, so the
following are a couple precautions to consider:
** Keeping your pet out of the nursery
while your baby is sleeping or unattended, while being not having to close the
baby's door or lock up the dog or cat is a concern for many new parents.
This could have easily been resolved by baby monitors, but I still felt like I
was shutting the baby out. Installing an inexpensive screen door to the
nursery is a good way to resolve the problem. Paint the screen door
the same color as the trim and decorate it with baby motif. You can get
very creative. This also makes a great conversation piece to anyone
visiting your home.
** Let your pet smell your baby and your
baby's belongings. By brushing away the dog or cat every time your pet
comes near your new baby can make the pet resentful. Your pet may resort
to bad habits as a result of feeling unwanted and jealous.
** Some have said to get a pet while your
baby is young. They have felt in doing this your child and pet can grow up
together and it will help to minimize jealousy. My opinion is that if you
do not have a pet already, try to refrain from getting one until your baby is
older. Keep in mind that puppies and kittens have very sharp little claws
and teeth and while they mean no harm, they want to play and accidents happen.
Also, puppies and kittens can be very active and demand a lot of attention in
training. Consider whether you want to spend the time training the puppy
or kitten or spend that time with your newborn.
** Most important, do not leave your
newborn unattended with a pet until you see how the pet reacts.
Our family survived the pet and baby dilemma,
yours can too.
Babies
Moms Parenting
About the Author:
Article copyright, 2001 by Teri Hanson of Babychatter.com. Visit babychatter.com
for baby names, meanings, origins, baby freebies and coupons. Subscribe to
their free newsletter for freebie and site updates and parenting information.
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