Cot with a hard lid - Protection from cat

[SuperSonic2011]

Hi,

Call me crazy, but I assumed I’d easily be able to get hold of a cot with a hard lid, as I can’t be the only one to worry about protection of their baby from pets. Whenever I Google this, however, it’s generally a frowned upon idea, as people assume they’d only ever be used to prevent toddlers from climbing out of their cots, when they should instead be transitioned to a bed. This would be for a newborn, however. I’ve looked all over, but cannot seem to find a cot with a viable hard lid, only the flimsy net ones. My cat is very determined and loves a snuggly bed, so a net is no use. Besides, she’d get her claws stuck into it.
My partner is an engineer and could easily make one, but I’m just wondering if he actually has to go to all that trouble? Are there any available? If not, why not? Is there something I’ve overlooked? Or is it simply an unpopular concept, due to the resemblance of a cage etc…? At this point, I really don’t care about it looking like a cage, so long as it keeps our baby safe. It’s not as if she’s going anywhere for the moment! 🙂

If you're that worried get rid of the cat

Can you keep the car downstairs entirely?

DD has a 6 month old and Dcat has never been interested, let alone try to get into the cot!

My MIL was told that the family cat was found laying on her as a baby in her cot - the cat was rehomed right away.
How about a cot mosquito net? Or would it be too flimsy?

Our cat loved the most pram cot and Moses basket as long as the baby wasn’t in it. One day she leapt in the pram not realising the baby was in there and leapt out very quick.
I just used a cat net when mine were new born.

Because the baby would feel trapped ...

I appreciate this isn't what you asked OP, but please keep an eye on the SIDS advice www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/

Also just because you can buy a baby sleep product on Amazon or Etsy, doesn't mean it meets safely requirements; products are often recalled as they are shown to be unsafe but not quickly enough. (That goes for baby toys too).

just thought i'd share this.. i will no doubt trigger all the 'cats are evil' members... he tries out ALL the baby kit first

Re-home tne cat. A cot with a lid wtf.

Sadly not. Skip this post if you're likely to be upset by an account of this happening

I know a lady whose grandchild died as a result of being suffocated by a cat. They didn't realise what had happened at first, but the autopsy concluded that is what happen as the baby suffocated in a clear cot and cat hairs were found in the baby's mouth and throat. Parents hadn't heard a thing on the monitor and by the time baby was found it was far too late for anything to be done Awful.

But I wouldn't get a hard lid. I'd worry about air flow and the risk of overheating. Just be religious in shutting the cat out.

i find this hard to believe... if a baby was struggling to breath, they would move.. move their head, something and there's no way a cat would sleep on a wriggling baby!

until someone brings me actually proof of this, i'll continue with my 'old wives tales' theory. its always someones best friends aunts sisters mother.. its never the actualy parent!

I've always has cats, raised 2 children without incident, and now a grandmother of 2 and i still have 2 cats and i still have never seen the cat go anywhere near any of the babies... yes they sleep were they are comfy and warm, but never on or near a baby

It might be better to get a cot that is in the main room in the house where you work so the baby is not alone. Then you could also get a baby monitor with a video camera for when you nip to the toilet.

I don't think you should make a cage for the baby. That seems a bit wrong.

I think sids is probably a bigger concern than the cat, and for that you don't want to leave a tiny baby alone really. Co-sleeping is encouraged now I think.

Fair enough, if believing that makes you feel better. But bear in mind a four week old baby isn't exactly strong, coordinated or able to move themsleves away. That's why they can also be suffocated by things like cuddly toys and cot bumpers.

as a parent of a SIDS child.. i know exactly what a baby can and cannot do! never assume or judge.. thank you

I don't find it hard to believe. No one would make that up. It's so sad

well you would hope not anyway... my DH and i have lost a child to SIDS, so no one more terrified than us about our babies and cats... and anything for that matter.

Maybe in the garage?

I am very sorry that happened to your family. In the same way I'm very sorry for the lady I know whose grandchild died. I don't wish to argue with a grieving mother, so let's leave it there and agree to disagree.

That’s been the experience of most people I know too. My friend just had a baby a few weeks ago and she has three cats - they could not be less interested and every time baby so much as whinges they exit the area! My cats are still not fond of my DSD and she’s nearly finished primary school - I think the toddler tail pulling years have scarred the poor things 😅

Just keep the cat out of the room baby sleeps in. We had a beautiful Siamese cat when I was a child. Apparently he slept with me since I was a baby. But I wouldn’t risk it with mine but putting a top onto a cot will turn it into a cage.

Ok moses basket for baby during first six months. I popped a pillow under mine he slept a treat. It also meant as I moved around I could take him with mre if i moved to another room for more than a minute or two. It also allowed me to get on with meal prep, washing hoovering etc and baby just slept through all background noise.

As mine got older, i bought an up close and cosy cot with a bumper bar which did the trick, allowing me to keep an eye on baby throughout the night.

Agtee with other posters, just keep the cat out.

Not sure its an old wife's tale re cats in cats as have seen this happen myself with friends baby, on a warm summers day

if just keep baby with you and be vigilant, otherwise think of finding a new home, if you're really concerned.

There is a small risk of suffocation, but also of potential bites and scratches (which could be very nasty on a defenceless small baby who cannot move away or protect itself and doesn’t have a fully developed immune system) or that they’ll transmit things like ringworm/ toxo etc. The official advice is to not to leave cats with babies unsupervised. I’m sure most people don’t anyway out of common sense.

OMG first child much, how fucking dramatic. Re-home the cat and give it a 100% non-neurotic life, so it can be be happy.

I had 2 cats when my DD was born and just kept the door shut of whichever room she was in if they were in the house. The cats didnt want to go near her anyway. Please don't put your newborn in a cot with a lid, surely any health visitor will probably report you for this