Co-sleeping and cats (x-posted in Pets)

[cat13]

I have 2 large (18 and 20 lbs) cats who often sleep in bed with us at night, and I'm a little worried about how this will play out when our first baby is born (I'm 37 weeks pregnant right now). DH and I are planning on co-sleeping with a crib side-carred to the bed on my side to give us more room.  I've been trying to kick the cats out of bed lately, but now they just wait until I'm already asleep before getting into bed with us.  One of our guys especially likes to be spooned, so he'll plop down right at my side if he can find room... basically exactly where I plan on having the baby sleep. I'm not worried about them swatting at the baby or using claws, as they are very mellow. 

My first question is, will my Mommy-Sense kick in and wake me up if my cat tries to lay too close to the baby? Secondly, if it is unsafe to have them there, does anyone have any advice on how to keep them away? I'd rather not lock them out of the bedroom since it's too hot to close up the room at night (no AC) and they'd just scratch at the door anyway. 

TIA!

[kittywitty]

I have 5 cats. Three are large like you described. They are wonderful baby-lovers. They have never even gotten near to suffocating baby. One sleeps by my head every night and watches baby sleep. Another one sometimes sleeps by baby's feet. A co-sleeper would be the biggest issue for me, personally. I would keep the cats out until baby was big enough if using one, as I would not be near enough to feel baby's movement and breathing. Are the cats male or female? Spayed or neutered? How old? Indoor/outdoor?

[cat13]

Thanks kittywitty, that's hopeful to hear that your kitties are good at maintaining their own space. Mine are both male (brothers), 5 years old, neutered since 8 weeks, no territorialness at all. We are planning on using a side carred crib, but right now it's full of baby-stuff, so the cats haven't had a chance to get in it yet. Once we start using it with the baby I think I'll just be really strict about kicking them out whenever I see them get in... and maybe fill it with extra pillows or something when we aren't using it, so they don't get used to sleeping in it during the day.

[Jane]

You can often line the co-sleeper with tin foil to teach cats that it's yucky. Before baby, of course.
There are bed tents that are usually used to keep cats out.

In my experience, cats are no problem. Babies smell funny and make noise and cats naturally stay away.

[kittywitty]

That's great. IME, older males who are neutered do the best with babies. My girl cats could care less about babies and keep their distance, but also are not as tolerant of baby behavior. Foil may work. My cats liked sleeping on it. But my cats will sleep on my hanging file folders, too...