Before you have kids of your own, chances are you already own a furbaby or two. They keep you company, give you joy and provide tons of silly moments. Above all, they teach you how to love and care for someone else. No matter what your pet may be, they all have different personalities, likes, dislikes, and ways of showing you how they love you.
So, when you start preparing to welcome your newborn, your pets are most likely already aware that something is happening and that things are changing. They may not fully understand what’s going on, but they will undoubtedly become aware of what is happening as your bump increases. After all, animals go through that too.
Now, while having and preparing for a newborn is exciting and wonderful, it’s also an adjustment for your pets as much as it is for you. So, that means you have to help your furbabies get ready to receive their little humans so they won’t feel jealous or possessive of you. It may sound difficult at first, especially if your pet is used to being the center of attention, but there are some ways you can help your furbabies get used to the idea of having a baby around. Read on to find out about the top 5 simple steps you can take with them!
Introduce New Smells
One of the simplest things you can do to help your furbabies is to introduce them to new scents that most likely will be around once the baby comes. To help them get used to the new scents, try letting them sniff the new baby products you're buying, such as diapers, lotions, powders, detergents, and such.
Make Some Noise
Babies make a lot of noise, whether it’s with their cries or when they knock over or throw things. That’s already quite an adjustment for parents, so you can bet that it’s doubly difficult for your furbabies since it will take them some time to get used to new things.
So, by making noises or by playing crying sounds, shaking rattles, and turning on the toys or machines that will be making frequent noises, you slowly help your little furballs get used to the sounds and noises that they will frequently be hearing soon.
Shift Attention
When you have a baby, you understandably shift your attention away from your pet. So, that’s one other thing that your pet will have to get used to. You can help them adjust by gradually spending less time with them now as you'll likely be spending much less time spoiling them once the baby is here.
Although it may be tempting to spend as much time cuddling with the animal as you can before the baby changes the environment, gradual adjustment is much easier on an animal than abrupt change once you bring your new baby home. By developing closer ties with the animals and spreading some of the attention rather than withholding it, your partner can also assist.
Introduce Kids
Your furbabies will need to get used to little ones running around soon. One great way to help them not be so shocked is by introducing your friends’ children or any baby you’re related to. You can observe how your pets behave around newborns by inviting friends to bring their young children around so that your pets can get acclimated to having a baby around. But be sure to keep a watchful eye on them!
Visit the Vet
Last but definitely not least, you should make sure your dogs, cats, and other pets are healthy and up to date on vaccines by having them examined by a veterinarian before the baby is born. This ensures that they’re clean and healthy, and not exposing the newborn to any harmful bacteria. You should also remember to make plans for your pet’s care while you're away having that baby! After all, they need some TLC too while their parents are away.
This may seem like a lot, and it can be overwhelming at first. Initially, taking care of a newborn child and a pet might be stressful since they’re both a handful on their own. But, you'll soon discover that there is space in your home (and heart) for both your new babies and your four-legged friends. It may be a huge adjustment but, with a little advance planning and a lot of patience, everything will go smoothly and your pets will surely welcome their little humans home and accept them as they have with you!
