I have read some of the archives about pets and co-sleeping and saw that some people just let their pets in the bed from day 1 with their babies. We've been keeping our cat out of our room since DS was born (he's 2 1/2 months now) and wondering when to let her back in. She's an older cat and very calm and gentle but somehow my husband and I just aren't sure about letting her in yet, even though we want to. She does only have one eye though so she has a blind spot, although that doesn't usually cause her problems. She wouldn't normally spend the night in our room, just spend some time as we are going to bed and maybe come in and out a little during the night and we can tell she misses being allowed in.
So, if you were someone who wasn't comfortable with your cat in the bed at first with a newborn, when did you decide it was okay and why? Thanks!
I think this really just depends on the cat and your own intuition. I don't see this as a blanket answer. I know we will probably not be letting our cat sleep with us when LO comes around for a very long time. Currently she sleeps inbetween H and I, where baby would be sleeping. I think if she wasn't so jealous already i.e. laying on my stomach and growling when baby kicks, increased aggression etc. then I wouldn't have an issue with it.
Ime cats are extremely protective of babies, which sometimes means they are right in their faces, so I'd say not before baby can consistently move away but even then I'd keep a very close eye.
We always let our cat sleep with us. From the beginning. I was nervous at first, but I actually found that he didn't want to be very close to the baby. He started out sleeping at the end of the bed and as she has gotten older he has started sleeping closer to her (or further depending on the occurrences of the day). I think every animal is different and whatever makes you comfortable is always best.
I think I wouldn't want another thing to wake me up at night, and a cat curling around my legs would. Also, cats can be unsanitary-- I see bits of cat litter and poop in my cat's paws all the time. I wouldn't want him in a baby's bed.
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