Spinoff: Cats and babies

Anyone have any experience?

Re: Spinoff: Cats and babies

what kind of info are you looking for? We had one cat that I was worried about when DS was born. With some exceptions (like 15 mo old DS trying to "feed the cat") she is either tolerant of him or moves away. Our new mushy cat after getting his fur pulled, sat on and hit, runs when he sees him coming near him. I constantly tell DS that they are his pets and we MUST MAKE NICE or they wont be NICE TO HIM. As for his room, I have only on a few occassions found a cat in his crib and it has never been while he was in it.

Re: Spinoff: Cats and babies

I have a cat and a LO who is 8 months. When we first had her stuff in the house before she was here, the cat was somewhat curious- she sniffed things, but didn't go in anything. She was very good. When we brought LO home, the cat was curious about her, but kind of scared, so she didn't come too close. LO didn't even notice the cat til about 6 months. Now LO is amazed by her and thinks she is the funniest thing. The cat will sit near her, but not too close because sometimes LO will make a quick move and the cat will get nervous. I should add that my cat is a little skittish- very loving, but not a muchy lapcat. We are careful not to leave LO's blankets out where the cat can lay on them. We don't have any problem. The cat seems to know her place and it just interested in her own toys.

Re: Spinoff: Cats and babies

right now our cat is our baby.. he is very loving to us but is freaked out at the sight or sound of anyone else and he goes and hides.. i'm afraid if and when a baby comes into the mix, my cat will never come out and be scared all the time.. we love him to pieces and i guess i'm just thinking too far ahead into the future

Re: Spinoff: Cats and babies

My DS is 4 months old. Before he was born our cat was the king around our place.

He still is but he isn't allowed in the baby's crib or changing pad.

He had been great with DS. Last week he actually walked up to us when I was feeding DS & licked his head.

DS has just started to notice him and reach out to touch him, but the cat moves away. Don't think he trusts DS just yet

Re: Spinoff: Cats and babies

I had a cat before getting married, buying a house and having kids!

My cat was about 5 1/2 years old when DS was born. She was always much more affectionate towards me. I had her before DH came into the picture. She pretty much just tolerated and ignored DH and would always sit on me.

When DS came along, my cat was still around, but she would completely stay away from the baby. Once DS was moving around, he took a liking to her and would chase her. If she went to hide under a table and he would keep pressing the issues, she would occasionally swipe at him, but that's something I need to teach DS about... when to stay away from the kitty!

We now also have a DD. My cat will occasionally stand in long enough for DD to pet her, but 1 or 2 pets in, she bolts.

I don't think the kids really changed her much. She still comes out. When the kids are in bed and I am on the couch watching TV, she will still jump on me.

Re: Spinoff: Cats and babies

We have 3 cats and 2 year old twins, had the cats before they were born.
The cats are very disinterested in the kids, even more so when they were crying babies!

ETA: their personalities didn't change at all when the kids came into the picture.

Message edited 1/18/2011 2:34:40 PM.