Preparing for a new (human) baby

[sarahp]

Hi again Kerry,

I realise you've got heaps of questions here (you're probably wondering what you've gotten yourself into

), so don't feel too pressured if you don't get time for this one.

I'm due to have my first baby in 4 months, and was wondering if you had any advice for when baby comes home? I plan to run Feliway diffusers so the kitties don't stress out too much.

I'm also thinking of getting a decent sized cat tree for the baby's room so they have somewhere to hang out in there that's their own (they love to sit in the window and watch the squirrels). I won't let them in there when the baby is asleep, but am happy for them to hang out in there any other time, and am happy for them to sit in the tree and watch what's going on with the baby if I'm changing him or feeding him because I'm sure they'll be curious, and I want them to get used to each other.

Do you have any other suggestions for good ways to integrate the new baby into the household with the least amount of stress to the kitties, and to ensure the baby is safe around them?

My kitties are all pretty laidback and when we've had small children over, Smudge likes to hang out and doesn't seem to care if the kids get a little "pokey" with her, Stumpy likes to watch from a distance if the kids are noisy, but otherwise is curious and is happy to sniff them and let them touch her, and Lily, my shy girl just hides.

 

[jcat]

 

[catpsych]

Oh, great question! Yes there are several things you can do to help gradually get the kitties used to the baby. Before the baby arrives, start using baby wash as your body wash and use baby lotion as your lotion, get the kitties used to the smell of a baby. Next is getting them used to the sounds, purchase a CD of a baby crying ( you can purchase one buy calling (505) 730-1118 or visiting www.preparingfido.com). And you have the right idea about allowing your kitties into the baby's room, that is great! And lastly when the baby arrives home, give a piece of clothing the baby wore to the kitties to sniff and investigate. This way the cats will get used to the smell and sound of the baby. Once the baby is home, the cats will just have to get used to the sight, which is the easy part.

Good luck and Congradulations on the new baby on the way!
Take care!
Kerry

Originally Posted by sarahp

Hi again Kerry,

I realise you've got heaps of questions here (you're probably wondering what you've gotten yourself into

), so don't feel too pressured if you don't get time for this one.

I'm due to have my first baby in 4 months, and was wondering if you had any advice for when baby comes home? I plan to run Feliway diffusers so the kitties don't stress out too much.

I'm also thinking of getting a decent sized cat tree for the baby's room so they have somewhere to hang out in there that's their own (they love to sit in the window and watch the squirrels). I won't let them in there when the baby is asleep, but am happy for them to hang out in there any other time, and am happy for them to sit in the tree and watch what's going on with the baby if I'm changing him or feeding him because I'm sure they'll be curious, and I want them to get used to each other.

Do you have any other suggestions for good ways to integrate the new baby into the household with the least amount of stress to the kitties, and to ensure the baby is safe around them?

My kitties are all pretty laidback and when we've had small children over, Smudge likes to hang out and doesn't seem to care if the kids get a little "pokey" with her, Stumpy likes to watch from a distance if the kids are noisy, but otherwise is curious and is happy to sniff them and let them touch her, and Lily, my shy girl just hides.