Baby & 2 Active dogs

[Vhp83]

I am pregnant and am very stressed about how I am going to cope with baby and 2 dogs.
My husband leaves house at 5.30am and isn't back till 6.30/7pm. So I am kind of doing everything on my own.
I have 2 working cocker spaniels who are my world at the moment, I usually walk them for hour at 7am and hour at lunchtime as work full time.
I live in rural location so walking with pram isn't possible.
Just wondering if anyone has actually coped with newborn and dog walks. Thinking sling? Will that be ok or will it be too much of struggle. I am desperate to make it work. When I go back to work plan on dropping baby off at childminder then walking dogs I know it's going to be so hard but surely others manage?

Yep, sling/carrier. But there are some very rugged prams that would be fine on rough country terrain so that might be better when they get big and heavy but still like pram naps.

I used a sling then carrier for my DGD and had 3 dogs 2 border collies and a Phalene.

Can I ask if you have any recommendations for slings? Thanks

When the baby is very little, a wrap carrier is better. I think the one I got was from the koala brand. Then when DD had a bit more head/neck control I got the ergo 360 which I still use now and she's 20 months lol.

I've commented similar on other posts but a few things to think about-

1. It's hard. It's an adjustment for everyone and some days the dogs will have to have a shorter walk/no walk and some mental stimulation in the house instead.
2. Can you get a dog walker now for a few times a week and use them for the immediate post partum period and longer if needed (even with a straight forward birth It's surprising how long it can take to feel 'normal'). That way the dogs will be used to it. You could also look at booking those private fields so you can have DC in a pram or carrier and let the dogs off lead without worrying about them getting away.
3. Some people use the pram but with 2 dogs I like hands free so use the carrier. If you want to use the pram start training the dogs to be able to walk next to it before baby comes. With pram and carrier you need to be aware of the dogs pulling and knocking the pram/you over.
4. During the day, have somewhere the dogs can go to be away from the baby.
5. Start playing baby cries/noises etc so the dogs get used to it. I even carried a doll around and pretended it was a baby to show them not to jump up lol.
6. For me, it probably took 5 months to be back to my usual routine with the dogs and feeling OK about it.

Good luck! X

I would buy an off-road pram if there are some routes that would work for even just in good weather. Then a very comfy sling for the rest of the time. I liked the Moby Wrap for the first six months but there are lots to choose from. Get baby used to it from the start so they like it. Some people manage to feed in a sling on the go, never worked for me but maybe a sling library/consultant could help. You might want to get the dogs used to walking later and earlier as it won't be as easy to stick to their schedule when you have to find the gap in the feed change nappy repetitive cycle of the early weeks. It will be nice having a reason to have to get out every day. It's amazing what being outside does for your mood.

Definitely sling! I made sure to do some short walks with the pram so my dog knew to walk nicely beside it but all proper walks where with the sling/carrier. DS is 18 months now and I still use the carrier for walks. Totally agree with PP about having a plan for immediate post-partum. The dog's life changes so much and keeping the routine of walks is important but you may not be up to it! I had a c-section so needed DH to do dog walks for a few weeks.

Dog and baby terrified me before giving birth and actually it was blissful. The first time DS was aware of the dog is one of my favourite memories.

It's been the one thing that really scares me as I adore my dogs and hate it when is see people give them up when baby comes along. I do have dog walker for a couple of days a week so that's an option.
Just nice to get reassurance that people do cope.

Yes to a sling

But also to be realistic I would plan for a dog walker (or family/friend) to do a walk every day for the first 4 weeks.
You will be exhausted, you will need time to heal after the birth especially if it's difficult or a c-section, and getting the baby fed and settled yourself dressed and fed and ready to take the dogs out will be quite a challenge to begin with

Yes I’d go with a baby carrier. Do you also have a friend or dog walker who could help out a few times a week? To take the load off you.

I would recommend seeing if there is a sling library near by that you can go and try different slings/carriers and see what works for you, and then there is an option to rent them as well as how to fit them etc.

We live our carrier for dog walking, so much easier than a pram!

I know this feeling! I have 2 Labradors who are my entire world and was terrified of feeling different when my baby was born (now 18m). I also live rurally so know it's not as simple of walking to the shop with them.
Echoing what everyone else said about having a sling. I used a Ergobaby embrace and the koala wrap sling. I also regret not learning to breastfeed whilst wearing a sling which I would do next time.
Pram: I had a bugaboo fox and then got an out n about. The out n about really can go anywhere so would highly recommend l
In the first few weeks I was so upset about not giving the dogs the same amount of attention and affection, it was the only thing I cried about in the newborn weeks. My husband made a good point that the dogs would have been enjoying me being at home. They also took to the baby amazingly.
Finally I kept a dog walker even during Mat leave (which I know is a cost luxury) I did this because I wanted the dogs to have some routine and still socialise, but also I didn't want to have a year on mat leave to then go back to work and the dogs feels abandoned. I also used to go out a lot for baby groups etc so the dogs still had peace and quiet at times at home.
Sorry this is a rambling reply but your post resonated with me, as I felt exactly the same

The Dog Meets Baby instagram account is useful. We carried on with our dog walker a couple of times per week when I was on mat leave and if my husband was leaving as early in the morning as yours I would suggest extra sessions for the first month or so while you recover from birth

I would get rid of the dogs
Focus on your baby

Thank you for replying :) it's really good to hear it can work. Dogs are very adaptable thankfully I've just been so stressed about letting them down. I do have dog walker and even during lockdown when I could walk them I have always kept the dog walker for once as week as a treat for them so would totally continue that during maternity. Thank you for the recommendations

We never had a pram, just a lie flat pushchair and can get off road ones.

Get rid of the dogs and focus on the baby, seriously! I've always had dogs,cats, babies before and after. Get a dog walker for the first 4 weeks, when I had my oldest did maternity leave was 6 weeks after birth. I had 2 major abdominal surgeries, when I had my 3 dogs, I didn't have them pulling me on a lead for long. I lived near ashdown forest, and they had a really good run..I was told to get moving ASAP, lessened the risk of blood clots after surgery.

Get yourself to a sling library I loved the ergobaby embrace and was wearing it for wood walks at 2 days postpartum with baby number 2 but it wouldn’t have been possible after the episiotomy I had with my first. I’m wondering if something like a Thule running buggy would work when baby is older. Also if they are ball crazy like my working cocker a flinger is essential if you don’t want to do 1000 squats a day.

I'm defo not getting rid of my dogs that's completely irresponsible.