Whether you’re expecting a child, have a friend who will visit with their newborn frequently, or are considering opening an in-home daycare for infants, you need to make sure your pet gets along with tiny humans first.
Most pets learn how to do this just fine, but they need help from their humans to limit negative experiences. By learning how to introduce a newborn to your pets, you offer them the best opportunity to build a safe and meaningful relationship.
Keep Your Pet in Mind
Before we dive deeper, understand that there is no “one size fits all” method to approach this subject. Some pets have a calmer disposition, while others are clingier or more prone to lapses in judgment.
This applies to your expectation as well. You may need to tweak some of the suggestions below to meet certain criteria. Whatever the case, keep the safety of everyone at the front of your mind and leave enough time for everyone to adjust.
Introduce Baby Items Before the Due Date
If this is the first child in your household, odds are things have been much quieter before this point. Newborns come with plenty of new noises, from late night cries to musical swings and rattles and everything in between.
It’s easier on your pet if they’ve heard these noises before. While you don’t need to wake up at 2 AM to fully simulate the events, playing recordings of babies crying or lullabies you’ll come to rely on familiarizes your companion with the sound. The real thing will still be different but less jarring, and your dog may even enjoy the music.
This applies to baby items that move as well, even if they don’t make sound. Seeing a baby swing or bouncer in motion for the first time is bound to pique your pet’s interest, so it’s best they get their introduction without the baby inside.
Create a Safe Space for Your Pet
Creating a space for your pet away from the newborn may seem like the opposite of introducing them, but it’s essential for keeping everything friendly. As much as you want them to be best friends, your pet needs a space that they can slip away to when overstimulated or just to get some peace and quiet.
This could be a crate, a bed in a quiet corner, or even a completely separate room. The key is setting it up so they can be comfortable and keeping things as quiet and uninterrupted as possible.
You can even teach your pet to go to this place when commanded. This shouldn’t be a timeout or punishment but rather an invitation to calm down.
Adjust Routines Before the Due Date
Whether you love routines or not, they make taking care of children and animals much easier. You likely already have at least a loose schedule for your pet’s meal times and exercise, but this may need to be adjusted depending on what you anticipate for the baby.
Don’t cut things out completely; make adjustments as needed. You may need to split up walks into smaller sessions or push them back so you can sleep in after a night of fitful sleep. Start making these changes early on so your pet’s expectations are not abruptly shattered.
Likewise, introduce new factors to these routines if needed. Start walking your dog with the empty stroller as soon as you get it, or move their food bowls to a new area. Set up baby gates early, so your companion knows how to navigate around the home.
Introduce Baby’s Scent Beforehand (If Possible)
Once the baby is born, you have the opportunity to get the ball rolling on personal introductions. If someone is heading to the house before the baby, ask them to bring a blanket or other clothing with the baby’s scent on it.
This lets your pets ease into the introduction without putting the newborn right in front of them. Dogs and cats learn a lot through their noses, and this can be the most exciting part of having a new person in the home.
If you can, greet your pet alone but let them smell the baby scent all over you.
Take Introductions Slow
It’s easier to move too fast than too slow when introducing pets and babies. Even if you think your pet is a natural nanny, we encourage you to take things slow and remain vigilant.
When you let your pet sniff the baby directly, keep a leash handy. Pet and praise them, but keep an adult in between and very to intervene if needed. Even the sweetest companions may try to steal the baby away or get overzealous with kisses, so it’s nice to be able to redirect quickly if needed.
Don’t leave your pet alone with the baby if you can help it. Accidents happen, especially with moving bodies in the room, and your pet won’t be able to respond in the same way you would if they accidentally knock something over.
Give Attention Generously
Finally, do your best to ensure your pet doesn’t feel slighted by the new addition in the house.
Make sure you don’t go overboard with giving them attention before the baby is due; this can make the change even more upsetting.
Give your pet attention regularly once your new addition is in the house, and make a point to do this when the baby is around so they don’t associate good things with the baby’s absence. Pay attention to their body language so you can keep an eye on how they feel about the changes.
While your pet may seem annoyed by the new roommate at first, the two of them will soon be making mischief together!
