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Babies And Pets
Many mothers-to-be are also the proud owners of beloved
pets, and many have understandable worries about bringing their new babies home.
Top of their list of concerns is the safety of their baby and the ease with
which their pet will accept the new arrival. By following a few basic and
sensible precautions, your baby can thrive in a household with most kinds of pet
– and your pet won’t feel left out either!
Dogs cause the most concern – apart from some exotic pets they have the greatest
potential to do harm to your baby. It is worth remembering that many problems
can be averted by simply making sure your dog is properly trained before the
baby comes along. If you have a dog that doesn’t recognize you as its master it
may be worth attending obedience classes while you are pregnant. If you can’t
train your dog to obey simple commands you might want to consider re-homing him
as he could pose a threat to your new baby.
If your pet is well behaved and trained, the first step is to introduce the dog
to your baby in the right way. Some dogs will see the new little one as
potential prey. Others are merely curious. Either situation can put your baby in
danger: however friendly your dog seems to be it is still possible for him to
inadvertently harm a baby. When first introducing your dog to the baby, ensure
the dog is controlled with a sturdy leash. Kneel down to the level of both baby
and pet. Keep an arm wrapped around the dog’s chest to prevent lunging. Keep the
muzzle at least a foot away.
Sniffing without physical contact is okay. Licking, while not toxic, is not
recommended when babies are small. A baby’s immune system is still maturing and
some children are allergic to the proteins in pet saliva. Allow your dog to get
used to your baby gradually, and ensure you continually reinforce the dog’s
position in the household – i.e. that you are the master. Never leave your baby
unattended with a pet in the room.
Cats can be far harder to control. They are more likely to be fearful or to
playfully lash out with sharp claws. They also slip off a standard leash a
little easier, so when acclimatizing them to the new baby use a chest harness to
ensure complete control. One of the biggest dangers from cats is suffocation –
they often like to sleep on warm babies! Again, never leave a baby unattended in
a room with a cat.
In a small percentage of cases, babies can be allergic to pet hair. In these
cases, just as with adults, avoiding contact is best. Many parents won’t want to
remove a beloved pet from the household entirely. The situation is not always
irresolvable, though - much will depend on the degree of allergy. Very little
pet hair remains airborne for long, so frequent vacuuming, dusting, and washing
of bedding can help to minimize the effects.
You might also be interested in:
Read our Diary Of A New Mum and discover what happens when Jessica-Ann comes
home from the hospital and during her first year at home. This fun read is
perfect for new mums and experienced mums alike! New episodes weekly.
Diary Of A New Mum
More about Newborn Babies
Back to AV Baby home
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