training your animal

[katie_1989]

I have a cat that is attached to me. She sleeps in between us every night and needs constant attention and i give it to her :) im nervous when the baby arrives bc she wont get nearly as much attention as she does now. I dont want her to act out or jump in the bassinet/crib or anything like that. What have you done to prevent this from happening?

[knufrio]

I am a cat person too! My hubby and I have 4 that all sleep in our room with us so I know you're in the same boat as I and putting them outside is NOT an option. We are slowly weaning them though so we are starting with sleeping with our door open so they can come and go as they please and then eventually start closing them out a couple nights a week and work our way to full time that way they can slowly adjust to the changes that come with baby. We will also be allowing them to explore the nursery before baby comes so that they can understand better that things are changing and don't get too freaked out all at once. I hope you find something that works for you!

[merethibbs]

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I hope everything is going well. I sure you must love your animal very much, but have you considered keeping her outside? Every time I go to the OB she ask if I could come into contact with a cat or a litter box, because of the possibility of contracting  cat starch fever. She explained that this if a virus that we can get from cat's mouths or from under their nails that can harm unborn babies or cause miscarriages. I am not a cat person or an inside animal person at all, so I don't understand the attachment... but I am sure it would hard. However, I understand cats can be very harmful to you and your developing baby.

[CutieMommy2be]

I have three cats and have the same concerns as you.  With that said, we have decided to keep all kitties out of the room at night and out of the baby's room. Reason said it is just TOO dangerous! Its not worth the chance of them crawling into the bassinet or crib suffocating them accidently by laying on them or next to them. Also, cats are known to lick the babys mouth because they smell the breast milk or formula and hence causing suffocation. Some people have had their cats around their babies at night and never had troubles, but im just to nervous to risk it.