We have 5 cats!
and a baby on the way.
My mother and father in law are insisting that we get rid of them! (they hate cats) We are definitely not going to give our cats away. They insist that since both my husband and i WERE allergic to cats that baby is going to get really sick.. We have a big house so its not like there is tons of cat hair everywhere and i am a neat freak so i'm cleaning constantly. I talked to my doctor about this and she said that having your baby around the cats will help strengthen her immune system so he/she will be less likely to have allergies later in life! What are your opinions/expierience with cats/dogs and your babies?
P.S. I know liter boxes are bad to clean if you are preg!
2007-06-12 03:42:48 · 17 answers · asked by Beeg 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
...can't you 'get rid of' the in-laws instead? Your doctor's right, of course.
2007-06-12 05:34:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats & dogs tend to love babies; there seems to be an internal instinct where they know this is a helpless creature.
You of course don't need to get rid of the cats; I had cats when my kids were babies & everything was fine...including the cats sleeping with the kids.
It will take some time for the cats to get used to the newness of the baby, but they'll adapt just fine.
And you can always put a screen door on the nursery entry to keep the cats out; a lot of people do this, especially when they first bring the baby home.
2007-06-12 03:52:50 · answer #2 · answered by Enchanted 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Litter boxes are only dangerous if your cats go outside. If they have been indoors all their lives, you should be fine. I'm with you though as far as keeping the cats. I had cats all my life, I had them when I was pregnant, and when my children were infants (we still have them). None of my children are allergic to them. If your children do develop an allergy, time will tell, but I wouldn't be finding them homes on the premise of "what if." Your in laws are just using this as an excuse. I've also heard that cats take away a baby's breath and suffocate them. People believe some strange things sometimes. Tell them to relax and you will do what is necessary when/if the time comes.
2007-06-12 03:53:39 · answer #3 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ok, here's the deal... I was deathly allergic to cats. I now own three. My MIL is allergic and said we had to get rid of them. Our daughter, now 8 months old, chases the kitties, cuddles the kitties, and unfortunately gets the occasional and unavoidable scratch. NOTHING HAPPENS!
Do keep the nursery door closed at night.
Do get a good vaccume (dont forget around the baseboards)
Do keep a very close eye on your little one when they come.
Do introduce new stuff/scents etc to kitties now.
Have hubby bring home something baby has worn before you and baby come home.
Here's the deal with cats: they either adjust well, or they dont adjust at all. If they dont adjust, call an animal behavioralist (your vet should have a number).
But cat allergies in your baby are a wait-and-see thing.
Tell the inlaws that the doc said its ok, and that if it does become a problem, of course the kitties go, thank them for their concerns, and ignore them.
I secretly think my MIL wanted me to get rid of my kitties so that she can come over. If thats the case, Im gonna get another 3!
2007-06-12 10:20:05 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep the cats, I have 2 cats and my daughter loves them. She gets so excited when they come to see her. She is 9 months. The best way to introduce baby and cats is to bring baby home from hospital and place car seat with baby in it on the floor and let the cats check her out. I did that, and have had no problems since. Keep the cats though, they are apart of your family and you should not feel that you have to choose. Before I had the baby I had a problem with the cats jumping in the crib, as soon as I opened the door to the baby room, they were running in to get to the crib, but once baby came, they have never been in it since, its like they knew. Good luck and congrats.
2007-06-12 03:56:38 · answer #5 · answered by Proud Mother 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can totally still keep your cats. Just make sure to be extra careful with the babies things and don't get into the litter and you are totally ok. We also had 5 cats when my niece was born and the doctor said that she would be fine. I think it's true about the allergies becuz she hardly gets sick.
Bottom line is don't get rid of the kitties.
Good Luck.
2007-06-12 03:49:10 · answer #6 · answered by ☆ Heavenly ☆ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you should get rid of your cats, after all they are part of the family, but what you really need to do is be sure that the cats are not allowed around the baby. When my father was a baby the cat jumped into his crib and almost smothered him by lying across his face. Of course it was an accident but you do have to be very careful.
2007-06-12 04:08:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As long as baby doesn't have a allergic reaction to them it should be fine. They make a mosquito netting type tent that fits on a crib to keep cats out of the crib all the time. You will probably need this because at least one of your cats is going to decide to sleep with the baby every chance they get.
2007-06-12 03:59:14 · answer #8 · answered by leavemealone 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bring a kitten around them...if they are fine with the kitten they are usually fine with babies.
My 7 year old cat hates kittens and other cars but loves my neice.....so it just depends on the cat!
My advice: Keep baby's door closed or teach them that the crib is not a place for them from the time you get it so they know that whether the baby is in ir or not it's not theirs!
I have 5 adult cats and 4 kittens at the momment (I do rescue)...good luck and def stand your ground on not getting rid of your cats!
2007-06-12 03:49:21 · answer #9 · answered by Enoeh Tmi 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My cat couldn't care less about my 5 week old. She was a little curious at first but now she doesn't care. When the baby cries, my cat gets up and leaves.
The only problem I've had is my cat wants to lay on her blankets and changing table. It irritates me because of the cat hair.
2007-06-12 03:53:46 · answer #10 · answered by *Just Married* 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats are fine.....I had a cat w/ my son and he is fine....my sister had a few and her son is fine....the only thing to be cautious about is keeping them outta the crib, but thats common sense.....I always hate it when other people tell you what you need to do w/ your animals when you are having a baby!!! It is stupid!!! Keep your cats and tell your in laws what your dr said!!
I also had a dog when my son was born....just ignore your in laws....it sounds like they have a lack of education in that area!!
2007-06-12 03:52:10 · answer #11 · answered by tll 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋