Worried about allergies

[Soopermum1]

I have 3 cats that I absolutely adore, they were my babies before DS (aged 10) came along and continue to be very much part of the family.

DS has always got on fine with them. No allergies, they have tended to avoid him when little and I've taught him to be gentle with them, plus he feeds them so they rub along well, generally.

My Mum (always the voice of doom and not a cat lover) has said she hopes the new baby when she arrives will not be allergic to the cats and now I'm worried. Neither DH, DS or myself had allergies, but my 2 brothers are allergic (1 gets itchy eyes, 1 has asthma)

Anyone had allergic baby and found a way round it and not had to rehome the cats? It would break my heart if I had to. How common are cat allergies?

Tell your mother to bugger off with her stirring.

I really wouldn't fret.

I doubt your baby will be if s/he is in a house with cats right from the start - I think allergies tend to occur from hyersensitivity from not being used to certain things. If it helps at all, when I started riding at 9, I found I was allergic to horses. It was never bad and I sharp got rid of it, presumably just from being around them regularly. Ignore your mother - it'll be fine

thanks, folks. fingers crossed

I was terribly allergic to cats but desperately wanted one, I got one and took antihistamine for a while until I gradually weaned myself off it. Am now absolutely fine with my own cat and don't need any medication ever. I think your body gets used to the environment you live in so am sure a new a baby with it's immune system developing would get used to the home pretty quickly. I wouldn't worry too much about it, am sure they will be fine.

my niece is/was very allergic to cats (and lots of other things) and had lots breathing difficulties during her first 6 months. my sister is lucky that they have a utility room bit off the kitchen where the back door and cat flap is. they started keeping this door closed, feeding the cats in there and washing their hands after they stroked or played with them. it was difficult to hear the cats meows but the cats seem OK (especially it having been summer). my niece is now 16 months and loves cats! she is stopped from touching them but chases after them screaming (may be why they prefer being outside) whenever she spots them. the cats are being allowed into the house more and more and dont seem to be affecting my niece's breathing or allergies yet. they have also made a real effort to keep the house clean of cat hair and dust in general, with the thought that many allergic reactions are cumulative- a bit of cat hair may not affect her but cat+dust could cause a noticeable allergic reaction.

like other posters have said, chances are your baby will be fine.

Don't fret unduly. Your children don't share all their DNA with their uncles!

DH is allergic to only one sort of cats ::vague:: - from memory he is fine with long-haired but not short-haired. Even if your baby is allergic to some cats, s/he won't necessarily be sensitive to yours. DH grew up quite happily with cats.