Existing Pets with new baby?

purple10bride · October 2008

Ok,

So we have two furbabies, one that sleeps on the floor next to our bed (a welsh corgi) and one that currently sleeps in our bed inbetween us (a jack russell). After the baby is born I plan to put the baby in a bassinet next to the bed the first couple of months BUT I am a little concerned about the bassinet being that close to the bed that the dog is on. I mean my dog is not mean, but i don't want it to get jealous or anything. I know my baby is the #1 concern, but i know IF we tried to put the dogs in another room they would probably just wine all night since they are used to sleeping on/near the bed these past 4 years. Do any of you girls have or plan to have a dog on the bed and a bassinet/baby near by? Just concerned on this one...

ncbelle · October 2008

Our dogs are allowed to sleep in the bed and we plan to use a cosleeper. One of them always sleeps at the foot of the bed; the other really loves to sleep beside me (where the cosleeper will be). We plan to set up the cosleeper soon so that he will adjust to having to be in a different place in the bed (or on the floor). I'm not really worried about it.

If you think there's even a small chance you might not want them in the room with the baby, start ASAP so they don't associate this change with the baby's arrival - that could cause some behavior problems.

pivey · October 2008

We plan on having the baby in the room as well as dogs - they do not sleep with us. We have moved their beds a few times this past month, as well as NOT staying completely on schedule for walks, etc. We figure this will get them used to change and less likely to expect things at a certain time no matter what.

FWIW they didn't mind the beds being moved and just went and slept in the new spot...

hoochifyd · October 2008

My yellow lab sleeps with us, and I plan on letting her be there while baby is in the bassinet next to me. But she's not the jealous/aggressive type, so I'm really not worried about it. I have a feeling the baby crying will freak her out and she'll sleep on the floor anyway

If she does seem weirded out, I'll probably crate her at night again, and baby gate off the bedroom to keep her out, but that's a worse case scenario.

saucysyd13 · October 2008

We have two Doberman Pinschers that used to sleep on the bed in the room that's going to be the baby's. Yeah, they are not spoiled at all! Anyways, we kicked them out of the room about a month ago and they now both sleep on the floor in our room. It wasn't easy @ first, as they thought they still needed to sleep on a bed, but they have gotten used to it and no longer complain. I would suggest kicking the dog off of the bed now, so that it gets used to the new sleeping arrangements before the baby comes. I hate to say this, but they are just dogs. They'll learn to live with the change easier than you think.

JennInJune2004 · October 2008

When we brought DS home from the hospital he slept in a Pack and Play bassinet right next to the bed. We have 2 small dogs (Maltese and Mini Poodle) who sleep on the bed and we never had any issues. If you are concerned about how they will react maybe you can just have your dogs sleep on the floor in a dog bed?

chantell7 · October 2008

Both our dogs sleep in the bedroom and on/off the bed whenever they feel like it. We will not change this arrangement, but we will put up our pack n play with bassinet about 4 weeks before the baby is due to let the dogs get used to the sight and smell of the new furniture. Both dogs seem to adjust well to change so not anticipating any problems. Like pp stated, whatever changes you decide to make start doing them before the baby arrives so they can get used to it and not associate negatively with the baby.

EASwimmer · October 2008

We have two cats and they have been fine. One of the cats even slept in the bassinet before DS was here. Now that he's here no problems. Just found another place to sleep.

Just_Jess · October 2008

Our dog has a bed and starts out there at night but as soon as the sleep timer goes off on the TV, he knows we're asleep and comes up in the bed. We do not plan on changing his sleeping habits.

We have already set up the bassinet and he's not even interested in it.

Goalierd · October 2008

You can try to introduce them to the bassinet early and even to a baby doll now and then. I know it sounds silly, but the fewer number of changes that they have to adjust to, the faster they will adjust.

jklincoln · October 2008

We also discussed this a while back. We have a Sheltie and a Yorkie that sleep with us at night. We did move their crates downstairs and it did cause some behavior problems with our Sheltie. She did not like the adjustment. They are only in there when we are not home but moving the crates still caused an issue. We have decided that we are going to keep our dogs with us at night, we do not feel that they will have any issues once the baby is here. They will probably do better with us at night then in their crates.

jebs_girl · October 2008

Our sheltie sleeps in his own bed, on my side of the bed on the floor. The bassinet will be in the same room and if I need to put it next to me then I will. He will just have to adjust.

MelanieBetherina · October 2008

we have two that both sleep on the bed... i doubt they will be an issue and we have no intention of changing their sleeping arrangements. although we have been making an effort to introduce them to all of our baby stuff and by now they are used to it. definately make the changes now, though, if you don't want your dog on your bed. dogs are very adaptable with the right encouragment but get started now so there's no associating the changes with the baby

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