17 Adorable And Smart Ways To Get Pets Ready For A New Baby
When your pet and new baby are best friends, it’s probably the most adorable thing that you will EVER see. However, it’s important to take steps with your pet before the baby arrives to ensure that they welcome your little one with an open furry heart!
Dogs and cats usually love kids but you can never risk them not getting on as it could lead to the heartbreaking decision of no longer having your beloved pet. If you take these clever (and very cute) steps, your new baby and much-loved pets will get on just fine, leading to a very happy family!
1.) Make sure key commands are understood and followed
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If you make sure that your dog understands key commands such as sit, lay down and OFF, you will be sorted! This means that you can be certain the dog will give your baby space when commanded to. It gives you peace of mind that your dog listens to you enough.
2.) Play crying baby videos on YouTube so your pets will get used to the sound
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The sound of a baby crying can be distressing and annoying for HUMANS let alone pets! So, make sure that your pets are prepared for the sound and play some videos of babies crying, it sounds weird but really does help your pets in the long run.
3.) Let them smell your baby’s blankets
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If you bring your baby’s blankets home from the hospital and let your pet roll around and sleep on them, they will immediately associate the smell with comfort. I bet your little one and pet will be inseparable after this!
4.) Having a home birth? Let your pets in the room!
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When giving birth, having your pets in the room is probably the last thing on your mind. However, many moms have had their pets in the room and it’s led to beautiful friendships. One mom had her dog in the room who had previously given birth to puppies, she knew exactly what was going on and looked after mom as she gave birth. Afterwards, she was like a second mom to the baby!
5.) Use baby soap on yourself
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Another one that may sound a little strange but if you use baby products on your skin, your pets will grow accustomed to the smell. So, when the baby comes home and smells the same as you, your pets will immediately associate your little one as the family!
6.) Talk about the baby a lot to your dog
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This will probably work best with dogs. In the run-up to having a baby, why not talk to your dog about ‘We’re bringing you a baby,’ and ‘You’ll have to protect your baby,’ they will soon associate the word baby with something you talk about a lot.
7.) If you’re getting a kitten or a puppy, be extra cuddly!
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If you get a kitten or puppy when pregnant, be extra cuddly, touching and essentially invade their space a lot. This will get your pet used to how a child will act around it!
8.) Sometimes you won’t have to do anything at all
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Pets can be very intuitive. Sometimes they just know that a change is coming and will calm down considerably during your pregnancy. This is best because you don’t have to worry or do anything!
9.) Play with baby toys in front of your dog
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Baby toys often make lots of sounds when played with so, it’s important to play with these in front of your dog before the baby comes, in order for it to get used to the noises. If your dog tries to play with the baby toy, say, “it’s baby’s” and give it a dog toy instead. Your dog will NEVER touch baby toys after this!
10.) Some dogs are natural baby-lovers
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A lot of dogs actively seek babies out, look out for them and make sure that they are safe. You are golden if you have a dog like this, they are probably more prepared for the baby than you are!
11.) Set up a dog bed in the nursery
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A great way to stop your pets from feeling left out and replaced is to set up their bed in the nursery. This will mean that they still feel welcome and will not resent the baby for taking away mom and dad’s attention!
12.) Train your dog to view baby interactions as positive
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If your baby is playing with the dog and grabbing its tail lightly, give your dog a treat for not reacting negatively. This means that your dog will allow the baby to play with it without getting irritated as it will get a treat! In no time the dog will be seeking the baby out as it will associate it with positive things.
13.) Treat your dog when the baby arrives
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If you are planning on co-sleeping with your baby, buy your dog a fancy new dog bed so that it feels special still. Or, buy new toys. This means that positive memories and experiences will be associated with the new tiny family member!
14.) Hold a lifelike doll around the house
Yes, you may look and sound crazy but if you walk around with a life-like baby doll, your pets will get used to seeing you with this small human and that it is clearly important to you.
16.) Set up the baby stuff
Start putting the crib, toys and pram around the house. Your pet will get used to them being there and will have got all of the curiosity out of their system before the baby arrives!
17.) They might have no interest whatsoever
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There’s also the possibility that your pets will pay no interest to the new baby, unless it has treats of course!
So, there you have it, some great methods to help your favourite pet and baby get along just fine. It’s wonderful seeing the bond between a child and their pet, these steps will help that happen! Do you have any tips for parents introducing their baby and pets? Let us know in the comments.
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