XP: Pets and bringing home baby: Question?

WhiteysWifey · July 2009

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BIL just told me that when they bring their baby home (SIL is due in 2 weeks) they were told that neither of them should be carrying baby into the house, that someone else should: Any explaination on that?

nicolebuchalla · July 2009

No idea why, but I have heard the same thing multiple times.

oregontechmom · July 2009

Erm I think this has to do with the whole ownership thing (your pet's 'ownership' of you). I'm not talking about dominance but some pets view a baby as a threat, either to you or them, because it's something new, it smells funny and makes weird noises.

You should bring home things from the hospital right after the baby is born so your pet can get used to the smell. Also I've heard that playing baby noises for the pets can help them get used to them. There are a LOT of resources out there for getting your pet used to your new babe. I know the humane society has resources as well as a general 'google' search should point you in the right direction.

angie05161 · July 2009

I'm not sure. The only thing I heard was that DH should bring home a blanket that the baby used so that our dog can pick up the scent before bringing the baby home.

whit022109 · July 2009

im not worried, ive seen my dog around babies when we have babysat at our home for BIL and she will be fine.

DiscusCoach · July 2009

Sounds like a superstition but I am curious.

I would recomment talking to your vet. My vet happens to be my BFF so I'll be talking to her. I'll post what she says.

Max'smom · July 2009

I have never heard that but we brought home blankets from the hospital for the dogs to smell before we came home with DS. They really had no interest in him until he started eating table food.

LovinTim912 · July 2009

You can ask your vet too. ?He/she may have some advice for you on this.

I have heard about bringing something home that the baby touched (like a blanket or clothing) before bringing the baby home so the animals can get their scent. ?We are going to do this for our cats (if DH remembers, that is lol.)

tnd1218 · July 2009

explain a bit more about the pets and bringing home baby. is this due to the pets they shouldnt carry the baby inside? ive never heard of this. with my dogs i made sure i held my DD to show them to be gentle with her. theyve grown with her and LOVE her!!

woolgathered · July 2009

My friend suggested getting a cd that had tracks of babies crying and such, so my dog would get used to it. I thought that was such a good idea.

oregontechmom · July 2009

tnd1218:
explain a bit more about the pets and bringing home baby. is this due to the pets they shouldnt carry the baby inside? ive never heard of this. with my dogs i made sure i held my DD to show them to be gentle with her. theyve grown with her and LOVE her!!

I think it has something to do with showing your pets that they are still important and that they don't need to act out to get attention (just like if you had another small child at home). Also, they could view the baby as a threat or something they need to protect you against. This was the impression I got any way - I haven't read that stuff in a while. ><

Mrs.Keith2B · July 2009

I've read that you should come in the door first to greet the dogs (since they will have missed you over those few days you were gone) and then have DH carry in the baby. Something about DH being the "alpha dog" in the house.

I've also read to start changing up the dogs schedules in the weeks leading up to the birth -- take them outside at different times, feed them at different times, even ignore them a little more than normal...all to get them used to when the baby comes and they probably won't be able to be on the same schedule.

axr8111 · July 2009

No sure why. We had DH come home with a blanket and onesie that baby was in when he came to check on dog. Then put that on dog bed. So she smelled the sent before we brought baby home. She has been wonderful with baby from day 1, but she's an even tempered lab.?

tami&chase · July 2009

Wow this is amazing... We have two large dogs so I will def need to do some more research on this one...

brook&nick · July 2009

We took a class at an local animal shelter "How to get your dog baby ready". Our dog has been our baby for 3 years and we just wanted to prepare any way we could. But yes, they recommend that I come in the house alone for a few minutes to spend time with the dog, then DH can bring the baby in. They also recommended that we each make time every day to spend with the dog, away from the baby.

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