Babies and Cats?

Rebecca - posted on 02/26/2010

i installed a lockable flyscreen door to my daughters door instead of a normal door and kept it shut. my cat could see into the room but could not enter so bub was safe. it was hung when we decked the room out as the baby's room, which was three months before hand and it stayed there until my daughter was almost one.

Catherine - posted on 02/26/2010

If you're worried about Kitty vs. Kid, don't panic. Cats are actually less likely to park in Baby's bed than all those horror stories would have you think. And even then, they're more likely to move into the bed after you've picked Baby up... just like they shift into your chair when you get up. A handy-dandy squirt bottle capable of a decent laminar stream should take care of that.
You can introduce Kitty to Baby when Baby can kick and wriggle [in the unlikely event of Kitty sitting on Baby, Baby will squirm and make the cat uncomfortable] via the help of a bouncinette. Kitty can sniff Baby and Baby can feel Kitty's fur with few harmful after-effects.
As for the litter problem - I made my hubbie-dear handle the litter tray for the duration of gestation and at least 6 months after. It takes a minimum of six months for Baby's immune system to kick in. If you're alone - or saddled with a lump of Useless - Plastic baggies and disposable gloves in combination with anti-germ hand washes can be your friend.

Mayhem made such fast friends with our family cat that the feline still regards him as her 'kitten'. She'll even try to groom him if the opportunity presents itself.

Some research has shown that families with pets are less likely to be stricken with asthma and allergies, and the kids are more likely to be sociable. As always, YMMV.

Kathy - posted on 02/25/2010

I've had cats all my life, and my siamese, never took any interest in the babies...he just put up with the noise and he never was in the baby's crib even once. He lived to be 20 alrmost and he was always gentle and nice, if he didnt want to be around kids he found a good hiding place. I haven;t actually heard of a cat laying on a babys face...if you have any doubts though you may have to get rid of the pet for your own peace of mind. IIf the cat is spayed or neutered and declawed then I can't see any problems. I have heard of jealous dogs biting or hurting children, so all pets need to be supervised in the same room with a baby or small child. I guess it depends on how much you like the cat, and how safe will you feel with it still there?

Shannon - posted on 02/25/2010

Thanks for all of the advice I have never had a cat before this one, but it sounds like maybe I should just wait and see how the two go together. our cat is really mellow so maybe it will be fine. Thanks to all you cat pros out there

Lol - posted on 02/25/2010

heheh i love all the responses on here. My cat had been an 'only child' for about 8 years before my daughter was born... and being a Siamese cross was very possessive of her mummy LOL We also would put her in the laundry at night.... but that was also because she would tease our dog (who stays outside) through the wiindows. We never had a problem from day one, I would breastfeed baby sometimes sitting on the floor, so that the cat could sit on my lap at the same time. One solution I have heard if you are worried about cat going into the nursery is to replace the solid door with a screen/security door. That way, you ... and the cat, can still hear and smell the baby, but not feel like you have 'locked' the room up.

Ail - posted on 02/25/2010

I've always had a cat and never had a problem. Actually, the cat may be afraid of the baby. It's loud and unpredictable, so kitty may choose to stay away, altogether. My kids have always been fond of the cats and having one from birth made them less fearful and more careful with animals. Some of their friends without pets are absolutely petrified and make us put the cat away during visits, which is really surprising to me.



As for the catbox, dad took care of that chore during my pregnancy. The times I had to deal with it, I was just really careful about washing well after scooping and never had a problem. I'm not certain, but if the cat is indoor only, it might not be a problem.

Laura - posted on 02/25/2010

With our cats, I was scared to death! One cat had found a bed in the bassinet and the other in the crib. No matter how many times we threw them out they kept going back in! When my daughter was born though, only one cat sat on her once. I screamed at the cat, and threw her outside. No incidents since then and she's 7 months old now.

Tiffany - posted on 02/25/2010

People used to scare me about those stories, but when I thought about it, I have NEVER known anyone or seen on the news where their cat suffocated the baby. My cat could care less about the baby. My son is 4 months old, and I think he's seen the cat twice. The cat did like to jump on the pack n play when I was pregnant, but we put aluminum foil on it (cats hate the sound it makes) so we haven't had any problems once the cat landed on the foil. My midwife said that cats like warmth, and that's why some are attracted to babies.

Jennifer - posted on 02/25/2010

We lock our cat in the laundry room at night. Not so much because she bothers our son who is now two, but because she would stick her paw under the door and rattle it and that woke him up. My son loves the cat. When we first brought my son home she was a bit jealous, but when I was holding the baby, my husband played with the cat and vice versa. Now they sit next to each other and play together. If your cat is friendly by the time your baby is old enough to pester it, the cat will probably not only allow it but enjoy it. Just make sure kitty is declawed.

Joanne - posted on 02/25/2010

hi,
I have 2 cats and a 5 month old baby and have had no problems. cats were intrested in baby when he came home from hospital but with some care from us and quickly stopping them if they got to cose to the basket etc they soon learnt that it was best to keep away from LO. Despite previous problems with one urinating on our things we have had no problems with that and baby stuff. I personaly think that they are less likely to be a problem if you allow them to see, smell etc baby when you are holding it, and then be consistent in them not going near cot. I started this before baby came with scaring them off when they went near cot/ moses basket etc.
Now at 5 months the cats are his favourite toy ( when we are there to intervene if he gets bit rough) 1 of them even seeks out LO's lap when he is sat with us.
Obviously we are lucky that ours are quite good ( fingers crossed this will stay once LO is on the move). i would never contemplate getting rid of them unless there was a serious problem, they help LO learn to be gentle and amuse him. I make sure they get attention once baby is asleep or when he is sat on my lap.

Lisa - posted on 02/25/2010

I really smiled with your question, I have had cats before and during my pregnancy and I - along with the other moms - can tell you you really don't have much to worry about except the poop thing, cats are generally curious and will pay attention to your baby when it "new " to them, after a week or so that cat will not even care really, just remember to set up your boundaries for your cat, no bedroom, no couch, basically no place you would have your child, if its really concerns you trim or de-claw your cat nails and make sure he is flea free....other than that when your baby arrives and takes over the cat will know his place, unlike dogs. Best of luck.

Candice - posted on 02/24/2010

i got a net for over the bassinette. my cat never went in...once he tried to set a foot on the net, he knew it wouldn't hold him. usually, the cat is scared of the baby and stays at a distance and just watches.

Amanda - posted on 02/24/2010

I somewhat disagree with what Holly says about keeping the cat(s) out of the room when the baby is sleeping, it should be an all the time thing so that the cat doesn't get confused. In the end it is entirely up to you.

Kimberly - posted on 02/24/2010

it's not a big deal. just wach that the cat dosen't get in bed with your baby. i had a 9 1/2 year old cat. and i have a 3 1/2 year old cat. i have a 4 year old and a 2 year old. never had any problems. good luck.

Suzanne - posted on 02/24/2010

find someone else to scoop/change the cat box! As for the stories...they are myths. Cats are curious, certainly, but they will not harm a baby. They might want to sleep in the crib with the baby, in which case you will want to make sure the cat has no fleas, which CAN harm the baby. I had 3 cats when I had my oldest child. They most they did was try to sharpen their claws on the playpen BEFORE she was born. Unless the kitty is generally rough with everyone, I see no reason to worry.

Kenitra - posted on 02/24/2010

Will your husband or neighbor be willing to help you out until the baby is born? After the baby is born, keep the door shut to baby's room. Get a baby monitor and use when your baby is sleeping. I have had cats and kids at the same time. I don't see a problem.



I did have one cat I had to find a new home for. My cat was extremely mental and very territorial, and would attack strangers. I did not want to put my baby at risk.

Holly - posted on 02/24/2010

We have 2 cats (one is 9 years and one is 3) and our daughter is 13 months. They seem sto be more afraid of her than anything. I think the most omportant part is to keep them out of the baby's room when the baby is sleeping....close the door or you can get a net that goes over the crib to keep them out too. Also...teach your child from a young age the appropriate way to interact with the cat....pet it nicely and don't pick it up. Supervision is the key to a good relationship for them all!!!

Amanda - posted on 02/23/2010

I had my 2 cats for almost 2 years after finding out I was pregant and throughout the pregnacy they were VERY attached to me. Wehn I was about 8 months along and we started moving more and more baby stuff into the house one of the cats started to pee both on the baby things and on me. After giving her a few chances to smarten up I thought OMG what if she pees on more things costs me more money or worse pees on the baby. So we ended up giving her away to a loving family and she has had no problems since. The other cat has been amazing and really could care less about the baby. She walks over sniffs her and walks away. Another tip, decide which room your baby will be staying in and keep the cat out of the room. This way you know once the baby's in there the cats still know that they are not allowed to be in that room. I thought I would have to keep the nursery door closed forever but it really worked. Even when I go into the room my kitty waits patiently for me in the door way. Also, I have yet to find ANY cat hair at all in the babys room other than what has been tracked in on clothes. Make sure you've got a good vaccum for the rest of the house and you should be fine. AND DO NOT LET THE CAT IN THE BABYS CRIB even before baby comes. Keep you're rails up and you should be fine. Goodluck!