Preparing Pets for a New Baby

When you bring your new baby home, your furry friends will welcome their new buddy into their space when you make some thoughtful preparations. After all, they have been number one since you first held them, so they will certainly notice the change and can be a bit jealous.

Bulky baby gear will soon accumulate in your home. Our cats sniffed around the crib and car seat when we brought them into the house. We gave them free rein to do so, and they soon left the baby gear alone. I did draw the line with their jumping up into the crib, but a few sharp “no’s” and a loud clap cured them quickly.

Another idea is to take your dog for walks with the empty stroller. This will let him realize this contraption won’t hurt him, and when you actually put your baby into it, he will be ready. And if you haven’t already, you can prepare by enrolling your dog in an obedience class so he knows basic commands like sit, stay, don’t jump or chew. You can use these commands to refocus his attention when the baby is around. For feline friends, move the litter box to a more private area the baby won’t disturb.

This may sound funny, but introduce your pets to the sounds babies make. You can find videos of babies screaming and crying on Youtube and play them for your dog or cat. When you play the sounds, give your pet a treat. This way, when they hear the sound, they will look forward to the treat and not be agitated. This can be done months before you bring your little one home for the first time.

You won’t want your pet in bed with your baby when he or she is so tiny. If your pet sleeps with you, try introducing a new pet bed beside yours or beside the bassinet, so Fido or Fluffy is accustomed to it before the new baby arrives and is not resentful for the new sleeping arrangements. Also, introduce the scent of your newborn by bringing home her receiving blanket or first outfit, so your pet becomes familiar with how your infant smells before you introduce them.

That first introduction is something you will love if you prepare. When you first arrive home with your little bundle, greet your pet in the calm manner you always have, so he won’t pounce. Go slow. Keep your newborn in your arms and have another family member handle your leashed dog or cat. If your pet appears anxious, hold off for a few days before trying again. Never leave your infant unattended with a pet, regardless of how much you trust your furry friend.

Now that you’ve introduced them, watch that relationship grow! It is a proven fact that dogs possess pack drive and den instincts. When your dog is bonded to your family, he will have a natural, innate sense that tells him to protect your baby. The two will become playmates as they spend time together.

The relationship your baby will create with your fur baby is unique and has both physical and psychological advantages for his development. One of the most significant is that dogs make babies happy. It’s also been proven that interacting with dogs raises levels of serotonin and dopamine, the chemical building blocks of positive feelings.

Research also has shown that babies who grow up with a dog are less likely to develop certain allergies and can have a more resilient immune system. Also, because dogs have feelings too, they may pick up on different cues from your baby that you may not. Your dog may sense that your baby is vulnerable and harmless and lick her face and hands. These are things mother dogs do with their pups.

Every dog should be taught from the beginning to be gentle around a baby. A dog responds to his humans’ verbal cues and body language with an infant. Thus, when owners display a calm, protective demeanor, the dog can learn to be sensitive and cautious. The key to establishing a dog’s protective and trustworthy behavior toward an infant is to begin early with frequent calm socialization and training.

There is a children’s picture book series called Good Dog, Carl, which features Carl the Rottweiler nannying his human child, Madeleine. They go on all sorts of adventures, and each book is told just through illustrations. These are great to share with your baby. My son even had a Carl stuffed dog! It portrays how furry beings make forever friends.

Sources: Healthline.com, AKC.org

An avid outdoors girl, Judy Goppert lives in Lee’s Summit. She enjoys drawing on her personal experiences to write about the nuances of everything wonderful about life.