How to Raise a Baby With Pets

The close relationship that can exist between a baby and her pet is often the subject matter of many adorable photographs taken during the first years of your baby's life. Pets provide both health and emotional benefits for all household members, and, with the right training and supervision, your baby and your pets can live happily together without a problem.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Bring home a blanket or a hat that has your new baby's scent on it and give it to your pets before you take your newborn home from the hospital. This will allow you to introduce the smell of your baby to your pets, and to allow them to become accustomed to the smell. When she arrives, they will feel less intimidated by her presence.
2. Instruct your partner or another person to bring the baby into another room when you first arrive home from the hospital so you can give your pets some extra love and attention.
3. Call your pets into the room with you to introduce them to the baby. Your pets will undoubtedly sniff the new baby, and as long as they act appropriately, reward your pets with lots of treats and rubs.
4. Keep to your regular routines with your pets as much as you can to ensure your pets don't experience stress. Spend quality time with your pets without your baby present regularly so your pets still feel loved.
5. Supervise all interactions between your pets and your baby as you introduce them. Always remain in the room with them so you are close by should problems emerge.
6. Include your pets in your daily activities. Encourage your pet to follow you as you feed your baby, change her diaper or play with her so your pet doesn't feel threatened by or jealous of the baby.
7. Demonstrate to your baby how to stroke your pet carefully, and how to avoid touching your pets near their eyes, ears or mouth.
8. Give your child responsibility to help care for your pet as your baby grows, by showing him how to feed the pet and change his water.
9. Teach your child as he grows to treat your pets with a gentle touch and kind words, and to never harm the pets in any way. Your baby will learn to love and respect all living creatures if you begin to show her how early in her life.

Tips & Warnings

• Very old or very young pets will need some extra care, attention and supervision in order to help them behave appropriately around your baby.
• Never force your pet to approach the baby, and always watch your pets and your baby when they are near each other.
• Address bad behavior toward your baby by telling your pets "no" and removing the baby from the pets' surroundings.