how to prepare your pets for your baby’s arrival
For some of us, our dogs and cats are the first children we learn to parent. They become wise older siblings and deserve some special attention as you welcome your newborn into this world.
This blog post is dedicated to the tips and tricks that will ensure a smooth transition for your family as you introduce your child to their furrier siblings.
pets and pregnancy:
Some dogs and cats have the keen ability to notice when their owner might be pregnant, while others, are clueless. For those animals that are aware of the significance of your changing belly, it is often assumed that they will do great with your baby. And odds are they will, but there are still some healthy steps to ease that change for all involved.
While still pregnant, this is the best time to give your pets extra snuggles, attention, and of course, love. Many pets are not aware of the changes that are occurring and giving them love and reminding them of their security is paramount to their transition when your baby arrives. We all love our pets even if they don’t have the best behavior, those 9 months of pregnancy are a great time to refresh both you and your pets training.
Let your animals explore before baby arrives
Whether you allow your pets to go on furniture, they do it knowing they shouldn’t, or they are comfortable with their own spaces, it is important that they get comfortable with all the new changes going on in your home. Letting your animals smell, explore, and familiarize themselves with your new baby items enriches their environment and can prevent any freak outs in the future.
Some animals are more skittish than others. Allowing your fur children to hear the different noises toys make, how a bouncer moves, or experiencing a high-chair moving in your home can reduce the reactions that will come when your baby arrives.
On the opposite side of things, you don’t want them to get too comfortable with baby items. Some animals can become protective or possessive especially if they enjoy sleeping in these new beloved baby gifts. Remember that you are in charge and setting boundaries is a good idea.
setting boundaries for your animals and baby things
Boundaries are a key factor in successful parenting, for humans and animals. As you will be spending more time with your infant than your animal in the coming months, it’s important to get them comfortable with what that might look like. Practicing clear boundaries early and often will keep them confident with the new changes and shift in priorities that will come with baby.
If you are trying to teach your pets boundaries regarding your new baby’s room, it is still important they see the space first. You can let your pet into the room on a leash first, have them sniff around, and then when they leave the room give them a treat or a “good boy!”. You can continue to practice this, giving a treat whenever they leave the room. It’ll help them understand that being outside of this space is better than being in it.
You may already use gates in your house or you may not, but preparing with gates ahead of time can save a lot of hassle and worry. Setting up gates early can be a great way for your pet to get used to their existence, especially if you have a whiney pet. There are plenty of ways to train your animal with these gates. Reward your pet when they lay down on the other side of the gate, reward them when you first go into the gate, or have a special toy or bone they get only when on the opposite side of the gate.
Tips for preparing your animals for the newborn’s arrival:
Let them explore all the new baby items.
Brush up on animal training skills.
Take a family dog training class, as a bonus you may meet families in similar life stages as yours.
Introducing your fur baby and human baby
Coming home from the hospital or birth center can be a daunting task for many first time or even third time parents. Let’s make the welcome home for your newborn happy, healthy, and safe.
pets should smell your baby before meeting them
The first hat and swaddle your baby wears are so memorable and sweet. You will always cherish those first images of you holding your baby and seeing them wrapped up so warm and snuggly. These first outfits are a perfect for more than warmth and memories, they are a perfect introduction for your animals as well!
It is recommended that families introduce their pets to the babies scent from these first hospital outfits. They are loaded with all of the babies smells which can prepare your furry friends for what is about to come through the doors. Now, timing may be different for everyone based on hospital stays or whether you have someone taking care of your pets while you are away. You can send swaddles and scents home with visitors or hold on to them and let your pup smell them before bringing baby into your home.
Here, are a couple of ideas to try!
If you have someone visiting the hospital and taking care of your pets, have your visitor take home the swaddle or hat, along with a scent from you. They can offer these to your pets without any distractions and gives them time to get familiar with it. Offer fresh smells again before brining baby through the door.
If you don’t have any visitors, you can still offer your pets the smells. It is best to first bring in the smells before baby enters the room. While one parent is with the baby in the car, the other parent brings in the clothing. They are sure to be excited to see you, so be patient and let them explore your smelly gifts. Then based on how your animal behaves normally, you can decide where the best place to introduce them would be. This could be on a leash in the home, in the front yard, off leash in the backyard or inside the home. You know your animal best, be sure to keep that in mind when planning where to meet.
important items to remember:
The early postpartum period can be an exciting, tiresome, and difficult. You, your infant, and animals are resilient and adaptive. It will take time and patience on everyone’s part to find the rhythm that feels right.
Treats! Treats can great for training. One thing to remember is that too many treats around the baby can be troublesome. If you are using treats often, your animal can associate being close to your baby with receiving a treat. Make sure to reward good behavior, but be aware of which behaviors you are encouraging.
There is no way to be completely prepared for the overload of cuteness you will experience. Many animals quickly become babies’ favorite napping buddies or clean up crew. Get your cameras ready to capture the adorable friendships blossoming.
No matter how much you trust your dog, remember to never leave them unattended with your newborn. Babies are unpredictable and can be loud, your calm presence will reassure both fur and human children. It will keep everyone safe.
The first meeting: Pups and babes
By the time that you introduce your pets to your baby you will have a flood of different emotions. Remember to remain calm and be prepared for your animals to be excited to see you and potentially hesitant with your newborn. Thankfully, your animals have most likely interacted with the car seat before you bring home baby in it. Keeping your baby in the car seat for their first interaction can be reassuring to your pets and you as parents.
Give your animal play time or exercise before the introduction. This will allow them to be in a more calm and relaxed energy space, so that jumping and excitability are at a minimum.
While reading this next advice, keep in mind how your dog behaves on a leash, it might look different for various animals. It is recommended to keep your pet leashed during those first few sniffs and nose bumps with your baby. This can give you more control over the space and quickly pull your animal back if they seem unsure. You are the leader and rule maker, so allow your dog the sniffing time you think is necessary. Then remove them from the area.
You want to avoid overwhelming both your baby and animals. This will keep everyone safe, happy, and healthy. Create short bursts of interaction that is always chaperoned. Then, as the weeks go on they can have more and more interaction.
Final tips to remember when brining home your baby to pets:
Let your pets explore before baby comes home.
Give your pets additional attention and training during pregnancy.
Take them to a family dog class.
Introduce your animals to children of all ages.
Use a Rover to watch your dog and give them a change of pace away from your baby.
Let your animals smell babies scent before their initial meeting.
Never leave your baby unattended with your animals.