How can I protect my newborn baby from the cat?

Question

I have a question... I have heard from several people that when you have an infant in the home and you also have a cat that at times cats can tend to jump in the baby's basinett or crib and "suck the life out of a baby" because of there constant milk smell.. What could I do to the bassinet to make sure the cat doesnt try to get in there in the middle of the night when we are all sleeping?? does anyone have any tips I have had the cat for 7 years and I would hate to get rid of her.

Answer 1

Cat's sucking the life from babies is nothing more than myth. But like many myths or "urban legends", it probably has a small grain of truth in it.

What you have to worry about is the cat smothering the baby by accident. If your cat is anything like mine, she likes to lay on top of you (mine lays across my neck at night). Newborn babies, as you know, do have sufficient motor control to move their heads if the cat happens to plop down for a nap on top of them. It is an UNLIKELY scenario, but I could see how it might happen.

The best thing to do, would be to close the door to the baby’s room. If you have your baby monitor going, you should still be able to hear the baby fine.

Or, if you're not comfortable closing the door, considering having your husband install a screen door on the baby's room. They sell light, wooden screen doors at Lowes and Home Depot for around $20. Nothing fancy, just the plain Jane kind. They are easy to put up, a cinch to take down (when the babies older), and it would keep the cat out, but still let you see and hear the baby through the screen at night.

Answer 2

As far as I know, this is a myth... but I always figured "better safe than sorry"

We have 2 kids, and had 2 cats...

I always let the cats around the baby, but stayed close, and swat the cat away should they get TOO close... (Never happened)

I always left the baby's room door open.. with a monitor right close to the crib so I could hear if the cat was in there..

You could close the door and keep the cats out if it makes you feel better, just keep a monitor on to be able to hear..
A lot of the new monitors have pads the baby sleep on, so if any changes in weight or movement, an alarm sounds.. .that may be an option if you're really worried about it... the alarm would sound the second the cat got in the crib.

My kids are now 11 & 6, we've had cats all along, and have NEVER had a problem.

Good luck

Answer 3

This is an old wives tale. My cat doesn't even like milk! However, my kitty loves to snuggle with anything warm! Whenever our little one was sleeping we would close the door to keep the cat out. We had the basinette in our bedroom with us at night so kitty got shut out at night when we went to bed (he didn't like it, but did adjust). There are nets and such you can put over a basinette or crib but I think it's just one more thing either the baby or the cat can get tangled in ~ keeping kitty out is the most effective solution.

Otherwise make sure you are handy to keep an eye on the baby and the cat out of the basinette/crib. We've never had a problem with our cats and the baby.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Well, first of all that is a myth. The cat might try to snuggle up to the baby (because the baby is soft and warm), but it will not intentionally harm the child.

The simple answer is to keep the door closed! The cat does not need access to the nursery.

I know you would hate to get rid of the cat, and it is not necessary that you do-just remember that your child takes precedence. I think simply keeping the baby's door closed would be sufficient, but if you are still concerned you could put the cat in a kennel at night.

An infant and/or young child should NEVER be left unsupervised with an animal, so even if you are awake please be cautious.

Answer 5

Get a dog.

LOL...na just kidding!

Keep an eye on the cat. Keep the door to the room baby is in closed so that whiskers can't get in there.

That's just for health and safety and hygiene by the way...because...the cat ..despite common urban legend...will NOT suck the life out of the baby...No matter what Stephen King says...lol

Answer 6

cats are after the milk smell and warmth the baby provides, it is not trying to kill a baby, but if you want to make sure that your cat does not go near your baby then either keep it outside or keep the door to your bed room or the babies room closed at night and use your baby monitor. do this even in the day time. teach that cat that certain areas of the house is off limits and stick to your guns about it all the time.

Answer 7

What you heard is a Myth.


Bring the babys blanket down to the cat , so kitty can get used to the smell of the baby. Chances are the cat wont even care, as long as kitty stays fed !!!

Congrats !

Answer 8

We put child locks on the door knobs so the cat could no longer open the door, and then we make sure he stays out of the room with the baby in it. Other then that we have not had to do anything as he is afraid of the baby.

Answer 9

myth.
try to see how the cat reacts first off before you think of getting rid of it.
if the cat is a pest to the baby try a water gun. if the cat nears the baby say no get away and if the cat doesn't leave give em a squirt. that should work.
if you cat is anything like mine... she loves ppl and cuddles up with my byfrnds now toddler and lets her do whatever she wants to the cat and the cat doesn't react at all

Answer 10

This is a myth or old wives tale. It's simply not true and nothing to worry about.