Cats, pregnancy and newborns - any advice appreciated

[CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls]

It could take a while for your cats to get used to a baby, the same with anything really. Once the came round they will most likely claim the baby as their own. I found I didnt have any probelms untill the kids were toddling, thats when the fun starts. 

[J (Indoorcatsuk)]

Honestly, I really wouldn't worry. I had a baby last year and had four indoor cats, two of whom were elderly. None had had any contact with children or babies. ( Tho they had been used to new cats arriving ).
If you are calm and chilled, chances are your baby will be, and heshe might not even be a screamer, not all of them are.
I adapted a travel cot so the cats could remain sleeping with us. I'll tell you how if you are interested, it was very easy. I didn't go down the Moses Basket route because I'm aesthetically allergic to wicker.
I had no problems, but assumed I would have no problems, and I don't know if that helped but think it might have done.
One thing I did do was let the cats have a lot of contact with the baby, baby on knee, cat on knee. I was in hospital for a bit after giving birth and I sent babygros home so they could get a good sniff of her.
Make sure your health visitor isn't allergic to cats or is intelligence deprived when it comes to babies and cats.

[Tiggy's Mum]

 

[Team Svartalfheims]

I'll have a root around in the cats wardrobe tomorrow and find it and I'll let you know. 

[Tiggy's Mum]

With the 'sounds soothing' one how many different baby sounds are there?  I've found another dog CD that has 30 different sounds from thunder, helicopters to babies crying and it's literally half the price of the sounds soothing one.  If the 'sounds soothing' one has loads of different baby sounds then I don't mind paying the extra but if it's only a few different sounds then I may aswell get the cheaper one.

[Team Svartalfheims]

Definately give the cds a go, I've got 2 (Sounds Sociable and Sounds Soothing) that I play each day to kittens when I have them to get them used to baby crying and small children noises before they go to their new homes as I only really know children age 4+ to introduce them to.

I've heard that it's worth putting the baby crying track on in the room the baby will sleep in so they get used to the noise coming from that room and get them used to you rushing into that room when the crying occurs so I'm going to give this a go with mine.

[Yvonne]

Don't worry about it = how many pets have you got?

I did not give it a passing thought but the transition is much easier than you expect.  My cat did not bother with the baby at all and the dog practically licked him to death.  I am sure you will be fine.

[Tiggy's Mum]

Gillian found this for me, I never did get round to buying it so I'm glad you've raised this and reminded me.  It does seem to be more aimed at dogs but the principle is the same I'd guess.

http://www.soundtherapy4pets.com/product.php?pid=8

[MrsR]

Not really!

[Tiggy's Mum]

Have they any experience with kids/babies already Mrs R? If not could you borrow a baby/toddler to try and get them used to the sounds and inquisitive nature of toddlers?

My first nephew is due in December and I'm worried that the boys will be frightened of him.  They've only ever lived in a quiet, single adult household so I don't think a screaming baby then annoying toddler is going to be their cup of tea    I've told my sister I want him round mine as much as possible so the boys can get used to him, and hopefully become 'friends'.  Will also be useful for when I have my own someday if they're already accustomed to kids 

[MrsR]

I so do not want my frubabies disrupted any more than they need to and am already thinking about how to make the transition easier for them so any advice anyone can give would be appreciated - no matter how small.

Thanks.