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2nd Trimester
To those with cats...
Has anyone had kids after having cats for several years? I have two 'plus sized' cats. They are very sweet, but have zero experience with kids/babies. I don't think they'd do anything to hurt the baby, but I'm kind of scared of the adjustment period. They've been our babies for the past 5 years, so I'm wondering how they'll be with the new arrival. Is anyone else worried about this, or does anyone have experience with this? TIA.
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Re: To those with cats...
I have five cats and I am not worried about it at all. I have one plump kitty myself, he is very lovable and likes to flop over onto people, so I know I will have to watch it when the baby is on the floor. But I don't really intend to leave a small baby alone on the floor.
When the babe is older I know I will have him how to be nice to kitties (no tail pulling and ect) so he will not get scratched).
My best friend has 3 large cats and a 3 month old. Her largest cat occasionally comes and lays near the baby when they are all in bed or in the living room but for the most part they are uninterested in her baby and don't bother with her at all.
I had my kitty for about 3 years before DS was born, my kitty, Xero, was scared of DS for while but he slowly got over it. Now that DS is getting my mobile, Xero is starting to avoid DS more again.
I am more worried about the cats in the crib than the cats with the baby. They will hide at first and then be fine. Dont forget that the baby will smell like you and so it will seem a bit familiar to the cats.
We are setting up the nursery earlier than many people do so we can work on the cats staying out of that space. We also will put LO in her crib right away in part b/c the cats sleep with DH and I- it is important to us to have it as "normal" as possible for the cats too.
I'm not worried. They'll be fine. Of course there will be an adjustment period, but just like everything else they've had to adjust to they'll get over it
~Working Mom~Breastfeeding Mom~Cloth Diapering Mom~BLW Mom~
Blog - No Longer on the DL ~ The Man Cave
Shawn and Larissa
LO #1 - Took 2 years and 2 IVFs ~ DX - severe MFI mild PCOS homozygous MTHFR (a1298c)
LO #2 - TTC 7 months, surprise spontaneous BFP!
We have two cats - one is very affectionate but as times can bite and scatch and the other only wants affection on her terms. I was very worried how they would be with DS because they had never been around small kids or babies much and when they did come around my one cat would hiss and try to scratch them.
But - I was pleasantly surprised! My bigger cat loves to hang out with DS on the floor and has been pretty good about putting up with him - especially now that he can chase her and stuff. the only time she isn't good with him is when she is grooming or crabby about something - we are just teaching DS that we don't touch her when she like that.
The other cat completely avoids him and she runs away if he comes close to her - its quite entertaining!
Think of it this way, they will have gradual interactions with your baby and become used to the crying and having another little person around.
I actually found that when DS was first born and cried a lot they didn't even bat an eye at it - sometimes the older one will get concerned and come over to make sure he is ok.
I have two, very nosy cats. They love my older daughter but when my sister brings over her infant, the cats are always trying to climb on her and sit in her carseat. It's a bit annoying. The hair would bother me the most. Luckily, our cats don't have any hair. They make up for it by being in your face constantly and walking under your feet and following you everywhere. I am guessing they will be super-annoying with the new baby and then they will just get bored with it...hopefully.
I have no advice, but share your fear. I have a one year old male, who is extremely playful and uses both claws and teeth. He also has a habit of sleeping on heads. Then I have a 10 year old female, who already has behavioral problems (pees in corners and hisses). Neither have much experience with kids.
I'm thinking about hiring a behaviorist to help with the transition and with the peeing issue.
I have sensitive skin so I've used the J & J baby stuff (bodywash and cream)myself for years. So Oscar and Penelope will already know that smell for sure. They are only 10 months right now, but either way I'm not worried. They'll run at first b/c they're not fans of loud noises, but they'll come to love our LO I am sure b/c they are such sucky babies with us.
Penelope
I have sensitive skin so I've used the J & J baby stuff (bodywash and cream)myself for years. So Oscar and Penelope will already know that smell for sure. They are only 10 months right now, but either way I'm not worried. They'll run at first b/c they're not fans of loud noises, but they'll come to love our LO I am sure b/c they are such sucky babies with us.
Our neighbours had their 9 month baby girl over and she pulled Peneople's fur/skin to make her come closer, and Penny just went with it and curled into her more and went to sleep.
I share the fear about my cats but mainly when it comes to our cradle and crib. We have already put the crib together to try and teach our other "kids" not to climb in there, it's not their space. I don't think we will be able to always keep our cats away from the nursery or our bedroom but we will do the best we can. Our cats are all cuddlebugs but get spooked by loud noises.
We plan on seeing how things go, when our little guy is sleeping in his crib make sure none are in the room, and take things slow with each of them because they range in age from 2-15! I know they will adjust, it will just take patience.