Any cat and new baby success stories?

[R1cciteddy]

I absolutely adore my 2 cats. They are such sweethearts, very kind natured and love to be near me most of the time! I’m due for our first baby and I’m worried that they will be sad. If they are scared or uninterested it’s okay, my worry is they will get depressed. At worst my mum would take them but I really don’t want them to leave. But if they are sad I would have to. Any success stories? I know baby will be more important but I can’t help but feel worried about my original babies!

I should say - mine are incredibly cuddly and always want to be in and amongst any human in the house. Except toddlers who are a bit noisy.

Bump to see if anyone can answer my cheeky thread hijacking question?

This is a non issue IME. You're over thinking because it's your first baby. Understandable but unnecessary. Chill.

Is sleeping on the baby and causing harm a genuine risk? I’ve heard a lot about it but genuine question, is this something that does cause damage?

Well yes. Think about it. Cats can be roughly the same size as a baby, and 10lbs +. Something that big and heavy sat on a baby’s chest for a period of time- the baby can’t move away or push the cat off, so the pressure could well stop them breathing as they fatigue quickly. That’s assuming they aren’t sat in a position that blocks the nose and mouth.

My cats always snuggled up next to, rather than on, but I never ever left them unsupervised until the children were much bigger and with the muscle control and mobility to roll away, or push them away.

My cat was terrified of my DS when we first brought him home. We just make an extra fuss of the him when he came near and didn’t push the issue. After about 4 months the cat totally defrosted and was smitten. We were extra vigilant as he would try to snuggle DS and from the age DS being 2 the cat slept at the end of his bed (totally traitor cat) and continued to do so until he died 3 year later. ( cat not DS)

Totally indifferent to babies, had a look and a sniff and that was it. Cat absolutely loves a vacant pram, pushchair, cot, Moses basket to sleep in though.
Cat hates the toddler though, hasn’t scratched or bitten just avoids. Generally the cat has found somewhere out of the way to sleep, current favourite place is a high sided basket on the kitchen dresser as it is above toddler level. The cat wasn’t the cuddliest to start with.

@Reallyreallyborednow

Is sleeping on the baby and causing harm a genuine risk? I’ve heard a lot about it but genuine question, is this something that does cause damage?

Well yes. Think about it. Cats can be roughly the same size as a baby, and 10lbs +. Something that big and heavy sat on a baby’s chest for a period of time- the baby can’t move away or push the cat off, so the pressure could well stop them breathing as they fatigue quickly. That’s assuming they aren’t sat in a position that blocks the nose and mouth.

My cats always snuggled up next to, rather than on, but I never ever left them unsupervised until the children were much bigger and with the muscle control and mobility to roll away, or push them away.

That makes a lot of sense and is good advice. Thank you.

Our two pretty much ignored DS, although would come and snuggle up to me while holding him.

Now he’s nearly 6 months and crawling, they are learning to jump out of the way pretty quickly. They prefer him when he’s sleepy and will nuzzle into his hand when he’s sleepy.

Funnily enough, one of them has got very protective of him if other people come to the house, despite pretty much ignoring him most of the time!