Dogs and babies

[flyingcloud]

Hello, my first post under 'Pets'

We are expecting our first child in just under three weeks time. We have a nearly four year old Jack Russell who we have had since he was a puppy.

I grew up with dogs and am very laid back about them. DH didn't but he works with animals (not a vet) so is also pretty laid back about them.

Obviously there is the issue of settling the dog and the child in together which I am not too worried about, have had advice and we will just have to take it as it comes.

My question is more about hygiene. Is there anything that we have to be wary of, should we keep the dog and baby apart and take extra care sterilising etc? FIL gave me a ticking off the other day as the dog came into the nursery while I was showing it to him (FIL) - I was too busy dealing with FIL to bother about the dog, although ideally I will try and keep him out. If the dog is up to date with his worming (and general parasite control) is there anything else I should worry about.

Anyone have any practical advice for me? My own opinion is that if the child is going to grow up around dogs the child will need a certain amount of day to day exposure to the dog, not necessarily hands on, but I really don't need to be panicking about this and reacting to PIL's own panics!

I don't know anything scientific or official, but my gut instinct is that as long as the dog is healthy, de-wormed and de-flead etc, the baby will be fine.

I say this as mother of a 2mo ds and 2yo dog. The dog had now learned that ds's activity mat is not for her to lie on, and that his cuddly toys left on the mat are also not for her. But I'm sure that in the future ds will end up sucking something that the dog has licked, and will come to no harm. My ILs also worry about him, and don't let the dog come close when they're holding ds, and I've had to try to stop them seeing dog as a threat.

But maybe I'm too lax.

Sorry no idea why this thread has appeared twice!

In our house we go by general hygiene rules. Wash hands after stroking the dog and before eating etc.

Dogs are wormed regulary and we pick up after the dogs immediately. They do have a specific area in the garden to poo and wee in which the DC do not need to go into.

Toddlers had fun playing in the dog water bowl but again this was cleaned regularly and they are all still alive.

My dogs do not go upstairs so do not go into bedrooms etc.

Maybe though I am just a slut and I should have done more but all five children have escaped getting distemper so far!

my kids both brought ip with jrt and 2 cats.I let dog sniff baby and her things .Obviously baby never touched dog poo or anything.When she was crawling always covered in fluffetc. once or twice attempted to eat cat food. DD7 never ever had day off school in fact our family as a whole never get bugs.Dp is a gp he says exposure to all bugs pet like build a brilliant immunity.In fact theless sterile the environment the better.Of course in the first few weeks keep as sterile as poss. obviously let common sense prevail keep dog dewormed and vaccinated deflead etc

Thanks so much. Minimu you seem very careful to me.

Our dog has been known to sleep on our bed, but obviously that will have to stop when baby arrives and usually he prefers sleeping in his own bed unless DH or I are away.