Can the baby hear the cat's purrs?

thebigmare · November 2010

My cat and I were just snuggling on the couch. He was laying on my chest. and he has a very loud purr. All of the sudden the baby started kicking. Coincidence? Or can the baby hear the cat's purrs?

Scout05 · November 2010

I'm not sure at what point they start to hear in there, but I know it does happen.

Our dog trainer told me to stand in the room where our dog is barking (her everloving thank God she's cute because somedays I could just strangle her) head off so the baby can hear it and get used to the sound.

She swears it will help the baby sleep through barking.

I think it sounds a little unlikely, but I admit, I'm going to try it. It would probably be easier than talking Scout out of saying hi to everyone on the sidewalk. As loudly as she can.

Did I mention it's a good thing she's cute?

krwys10 · November 2010

I read that around 22 weeks they start hearing everything, and I am sure that something that close and loud was probably the reason for the kicking. Very cute.

bella85 · November 2010

This is what my 23 weeks email from babycenter.com says.

and the sounds that your baby's increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing her for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now ? such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner ? probably won't faze her when she hears them outside the womb.

So, I would take that as a yes

MelbaToast37 · November 2010

Whether or not it's true, I choose to believe LO can hear every purr! Just last night my oldest cat was purring right on top of Annabelle and I couldn't help but think of how comforting the sound must be. I hope she comes out loving our furry boys as much as we do.

hrushka13 · November 2010

I think so. The purr is not just making a sounds, but the vibrating travels. My cats like to snuggle with me and purr on top of my belly and I always think baby hears them.

Bexx24 · November 2010

I'd say the baby can certainly feel the purrs if not hear them, but they can hear around 20 weeks, so baby can probably hear it too.

Sounds carry very well through fluid, especially low tones, which cat purrs normally are. very gutteral.

JustOne · November 2010

ambrandau2:
I'm not sure at what point they start to hear in there, but I know it does happen.
Our dog trainer told me to stand in the room where our dog is barking (her everloving thank God she's cute because somedays I could just strangle her) head off so the baby can hear it and get used to the sound.
She swears it will help the baby sleep through barking.
I think it sounds a little unlikely, but I admit, I'm going to try it. It would probably be easier than talking Scout out of saying hi to everyone on the sidewalk. As loudly as she can.
Did I mention it's a good thing she's cute?

That is a really good idea. I have a Cairn that loves to bark. A leaf blows past the house, and we must be alerted to it's infraction. I also have a Shih Tzu/Poodle that feels both cats are part of some great cat conspiracy, even though she is scared to death of them, she must tell us when they are doing something she feels is evil and wrong. Like laying in the middle of the floor. Or eating. Or sitting in the window. You get the idea. I wanted to get them to stop (even though I know deep down that will not happen), but getting Chelsea used to them may be easier for everyone in the long run.

Also, OP... My H was at a Daddy Boot Camp at the hospital last night, and they suggested that we find a song or story to sing/read to Chelsea while she is still in womb. When she is born and fussy, we will be able to sing/read it to her, and they say that she will feel the comfort of the womb. So, if she can hear us reading a story, then I believe that she can hear the cat purr.