Bringing Home Baby...to Your Pets

Bringing your baby home for the first time is one of life's most joy filled moments.  But for many pet owners, the occasion can also cause anxiety over how their pet will react to the newest member of the family.

In order to ensure that the experience goes well for all, pet owners must prepare the newborn, themselves and their pets before the big day.

Prepare Your Baby

You may be wondering how you can prepare a newborn, but the process is rather simple.  When in the womb, babies can hear what is going on around them. So, if your pet meows or barks, your baby will hear these sounds.  By hearing the sounds often while in the womb, the baby will be prepared to hear the sounds once entering your home.

Prepare Yourself

Animals are very attuned to their humans. So if you are uncomfortable and anxious about your pet meeting your baby, they will be too.

Before the big day, make sure that you take whatever steps are needed so that you are comfortable with the occasion. 

Get the nursery prepared months before the big arrival. Then spend time in the room with your pet, so you both can get used to it together.

Decide if you are going to allow your pet to enter the baby's nursery. If not, the Humane Society suggests installing a barrier so your pet can learn that the room is off limits.

Ease your mind by taking your pet to the veterinarian. The Humane Society also suggests making sure your pet is spayed/neutered and up to date on all of its shots. If you feel like your pet may need to have some obedience training, go ahead and take the classes.

Do everything that you can in advance, so that there are no surprises after your newborn comes home from the hospital.

Prepare Your Pet

If an animal is accustomed to a smell he or she is much less likely to act out against that smell. So get your pet used to baby smells. Before the baby is born sprinkle baby powder and baby lotion on yourself and let your pet smell this. Before you bring your baby home from the hospital, this health writer suggests you bring home one of the baby's blankets and let your pet smell it.

Before your bring your newborn home for the first time, expose your pet to other children, writes one dog columnist. Have your friends come over with their kids for short visits. Take your pet to the park. Let your pet get used to seeing other little people running around and making noise.

You can also use a baby doll to get your pet used to the idea of a baby, writes the Humane Society. Carry around a swaddled doll or let your pet see you pushing the stroller. Then your pet will become more and more accustomed to the idea of you giving your attention to a new object.

Bringing home your newborn should be an exciting time for you and your family, including your pet.  As long as you prepare everyone involved, there should be no reason to worry during this great time.