cats and babies

reallydontknowwhattodo

Found out i am unexpectadly pregnant and all sorts of questions going through my mind at moment.

I hoped the people on this board might have some advice on this problem . . . . .

my partner lives in a very small studio flat (so no seperate bedroom and open plan kitchen etc) the only part not open plan is a small bathroom.

He (we) has a cat, which we love to bits, but how on earth am i going to keep the cat away from a baby?? We cant shut him away (the cat) at night as there is no where to shut him and he doesnt go outside - even if he did we dont have a garden anyways.

Rehoming the cat is not an option as far as im concerned (unless the situation gets dangerous) and im aware of the toxoplasmosis risk. Moving is also not an option before the baby comes due to money situation.

I've heard you can buy cat nets to go on crib etc, would these keep a rather ahem heavy cat off a baby?

No i have a long way to go, but this thought just came to me and is worrying me now.

picklepick

Yes you can get cat nets but you would have to make sure it really well fastened down every night when you go to sleep.
Heres a cat net for sale that fits a cot but you can also get them for moses baskets and pushchairs etc

http://babyoka.co.uk/products/cat-nets-insect-nets/116-133-ccn-clippasafe-cot-cat-net.html

We're trying for a baby after our wedding and we have 2 cats so i share your concerns.
I've looked into the nets and they seem very good.
Hope this puts your mind at ease

alisong1

I don't think it will be a problem as long as you make sure the flat is clean. I know many people that had cats before they had babies, and it was never an issue. But then if the baby is allergic to cats, that will be different. Maybe ask a paedetrician.

picklepick

The main issue is not that cats carry germs, although obviously they do, but that if they are allowed to get into cots etc with baby they can smother it. This is why it's important to never leave the baby unsupervised when theres a cat around or use a cat net on cots etc

spookylukey

If your cat has no experience of babies/small children you'll probably find he gives the baby a very wide berth! My cats go into hiding whenever my nephew comes round

You could get a shoji screen - a very lightweight screen that is a physical barrier but would still let light through - to section off the area where the cot is overnight.

You can get bigger ones but this gives you an idea... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Wood-ROOM-DIVIDER-Shoji-Screen-light-colour-NEW-/310149329032?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Decorative_Accents_LE&hash=item4836573088

If you weren't keen on that idea then you could put a comfy bed in the bathroom and the cat could sleep in there overnight, not ideal but could be a temporary solution until you're able to move somewhere a bit bigger.

Good luck with it all and very refreshing to hear your first reaction isn't to 'get rid' of him. Cats and babies can and do grow up alongside each other just fine

picklepick

Does anyone know what's usual for babies rooms at night, is it ok to have the door fully closed or is it advisable to have the door ajar?
Not applicable for OP, but just something I'm curious about now the subject's been raised re. keeping my cats out!

spookylukey

picklepick wrote: »

Does anyone know what's usual for babies rooms at night, is it ok to have the door fully closed or is it advisable to have the door ajar?
Not applicable for OP, but just something I'm curious about now the subject's been raised re. keeping my cats out!

My nephew has his bedroom door closed overnight (they don't have pets) as they always use the baby monitor and he doesn't wake up when they open the door to look in on him.

I don't have kids yet but when I do I'll definitely keep the nursery door closed as it will be a cat free zone day and night. It's not fair to allow cats in a room during the day then expect them to understand that they can't go in at night.

Kinski

My brats are all grown up now but when I took them home I put them on the floor and let my cats have a good old sniff, that seemed to be enough as none of the cats ever climbed into a cot or pram. When my lot were toddlers and had a sleep on the couch I would find a cat or two curled up beside them, one cat was so protective that it hated anyone different approaching the brats and would pace backwards and forwards between the baby and the person.

Apricot

My nan had a cat when I was a baby and apparantely whenever any of the grandchildren were there cat used to sit directly in front of the cot or the pram. As soon as the baby would cry, cat would yowl along with it until someone came!

My OH's nan has told me that I have to get rid of my cats as they will eat my baby! I told her not to be so ridiculous, cats will be shut out of our bedroom at night and when baby is napping and there will be a net over moses basket when baby isn't in there (so cats don't cover it in hair!)
Tbh I would be far more worried about a dog around a baby than a cat!

Tigsteroonie

Our cat has never shown the slightest bit of interest in Andrew. Yes he has jumped into A's travel cot in the living room a few times, but only when A has been upstairs - and the cat has now learnt that it's a "no-go zone".

Owain_Moneysaver

reallydontknowwhattodo wrote: »

He (we) has a cat, which we love to bits, but how on earth am i going to keep the cat away from a baby?? ...
Rehoming the cat is not an option as far as im concerned (unless the situation gets dangerous) and im aware of the toxoplasmosis risk.

Do you need to keep the cat away from the baby?

'Cats give you Toxoplasmosis'. European studies suggest that more people get Toxoplasmosis from undercooked meat, unpasteurised milk and garden dirt than from their cats. ... Cases of babies affected by Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy get media coverage because, like serial murderers, they are rare.

Murderous Moggies

Cats and Babies can co-exist. The comment "There was one confirmed case where the baby inhaled the cat's fur and its breathing was obstructed." is worth noting.

Common sense and caution would suggest not leaving puss unattended with baby especially for the first few weeks, but don't let that stop puss finding out all about this interesting new person-kitten in the household.

Older babyhood can be more interesting as the baby finds out the cat isn't a teddy-bear.