How do you prepare your pet for the arrival of a new baby? Share your tips below.

[CeriMumsnet]

Family is everything, and we know introducing your furry child to its new human sibling can be a very special moment. We’re asking parents (including expecting) to share their tips on how you’ve prepared your dog or cat for the arrival of a newborn baby.

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We played newborn crying sounds to our cat, at first quiet and distant when he was feeding, and louder and closer over time.

He never seemed phased at all by the noise, and it turns out he LOVES the baby. He spent the first few days sitting at a respectful distance blinking at him with big soppy Puss in Boots eyes.

Gradually reduce interaction with them, play youtube with baby crying noises, let them sniff your moses basket, changing bag, and car seat a few weeks before you are due, let them know they are loved

We played crying noises to them, and let them get used to the extra bits and pieces.

As one of your friends if you mind them bringing you dog around a couple of times to experience the smells and noise of a new baby, put a youtube video on of a baby crying.

fill your baby bath full of hot water and put some Johnson's in to fill you home with 'baby smells' wear baby lotion in stead of your body cream, let them sniff the pram and changing bag weeks before, let them sit next to your bump as it grows - they can feel attached to your baby growing in side - they will be able to hear and feel the baby.

I started playing newborn baby crying noises on my phone at random times, and put up safety gates on some rooms so I can keep the dogs in the dining room for short periods at a time - building this up to longer, giving treats afterwards, let them sniff baby products and the new equipment you have bought. Give them attention as you would usually do - but train them not to jump up to you any more - do this well in advance of the little one arriving - treat based training really helps and they learn quickly.

Buy a crying baby doll and use it a couple of times a day, give your pet reassurance and love, but start go give it boundaries - no jumping on furniture, no sleeping on the bed, best to have a crate trained dog - it's their sanctuary and they can go there to 'chill out' if things overwhelm him/her. Introduce new smells of baby bits and bobs.

1. Stop bad habits like jumping up at you.
2. make sure they are good on the lead and don't pull - or will charge towards another dog - if they do - you cannot walk your dog whilst with the pram until futher training has been done
3. bring baby smells into the home, the changing mat, nappies, wipes - all have strong smells - get them used to new smells - gradually
4. they will sense the baby in your tummy through it's movement, keep them close to you in the final month - a bonding will take place
5. Put up barriers weeks before - a stair gate so they won't get up stairs, and increase this to zone off rooms.

My dog, sadly now passed, believed she was human and was scared of anything with 4 legs. She was so timid and gentle it didn't occur to me to prepare her in any way for the arrival. This was 11 years ago so maybe times have changed and this is something people do now? She had boundaries in place already so wasn't allowed on bedding, on the couch without her blanket or to beg for food. When the baby came along we were careful to be affectionate with her and to cuddle her as much as usual so she didn't feel left out.

Depends on the breed of the dog, not the popular opinion but I would be tempted to rehome the dog, they are bound to get jealous of a baby, and a toddler can be so rough on a dog - the dog would need the patience of a saint to put up with what a toddler would inflict on them and most don't - you can't watch them 24/7 - sorry

I would bring things into the home as you buy for baby, let them sniff and get used to the changes in their environment, play newborn baby crying, keep them close to your tummy, but begin to retrain to get rid of bad habits, praise and give treats when training -never get angry or lash out at them, they will be confused over the changes in your behavour - keep them loved and a member of your family.

We had friends with babies come over to see us so cat was used to them by the time ours arrived.

Also we had things like the cot and bouncer out before baby came home so cat was used to them as well

My tips are to let them become accustomed to the new equipment gradually - if you noticed them becoming widthdrawn, give them extra cuddles, reduce bad behaviour like furniture sleeping and if a large dog jumping up - also another tip is to try to reduce barking by treat led training

My tip would be - having done this and our dog adjusted well, keep to their routine of walks and feeding, that way their world it not turned completely on its axis, let them smell the pram, carseat and moses basket, gradually reduce interaction during the day, but don't ignore them. Playing baby crying via the monitor and via youtube to get them accustomed to new noises. I bought a pet CBD spray for their bed - not sure if it helped but the dog did seem calmer than I'd expected over the for first few weeks.

I've never had pets but my friend got a realistic looking doll that makes crying noises and put it in the cot, on an activity mat and other places around the house a few weeks before her son was born and spent a lot of time holding it to see how her dog reacted and get is used to it.

They know your having as baby as they can hear its heartbeat . When we came back from hospital we just let the cats sniff the baby, they were fine X

If you have a well adjusted calm dog, who will wait for a treat and not snap, is not nervous around loud noises then in my experience a gradual introduction of the equipment and all the new smells which come with this - they will be fine, I would, for a dog who is shall we say a bit scatty and yappy address this by taking the pet to a professional trainer to help with the behavour, and if the dog doesn't setting with your newborn I would rehome the pet. If you have a well adjusted and well trained dog - which takes time and patience all will be fine.

We gave the dog a blanket smelling of the baby, before we introduced them

While you're in the hospital take a swaddling blanket and swaddle the baby for at least an hour and then take the blanket home and put it in the dog or cats bed.

Make changes to the house gradually, so bringing bits of equipment out, putting pram up in the hall for a while so they can investigate but learn not to jump on things!

Keep to their routine as much as possible. Allow them to see the baby bits.
Don't make it a big deal if you can. Don't make the dog jumpy nervous or like oh yay a big deal or oh no this is a big deal, not before they get used to eqchother. Then gradually allow it to smell,interact. As if it's this new little thing protector. So it might sniff, lick and even just sit with you both. Praise it when it's been calm abd a good dog with no fussing. Keep saying well done when it's just there and settled with you both.
Measure like with any loud noise when the baby cries. And try not to make it so it sees it a bad or frightening noise. Again praise it if it settles and just walks away or lies back down.gentle reassurance and praise.
Make sure the baby can't suddenly reach out and grab fur when the time comes!
Obviously don't leave them alone. Accidents happen with no one at fault, but still would be devastating.
Give extra attention like you would a sibling. Make sure they have even looks or hellos if you knee deep I baby stress.keep communication going as often as you can.

Treat them exactly the same, show them love, when you bring baby home, greet and fuss your dog and let them look at the baby, sniff the feet. Get them used to what the word ‘gentle’ and ‘down’ means. Play baby crying sounds of need be. Try to curb any unwanted behaviours like jumping up.
Ensure they have a quiet place the toddler can’t access.
Teach the toddler not to pull, grab, and when to give a dog space.
Teach respect.

I’ve often thought of the horror on MN, if I showed a little video from a relative - her very new baby (not her first) snuggled up asleep to their big dog, and the dog very gently licking the baby’s face.
Might add that both parents are doctors.

To be fair doctors or not that is rather gross. Health advice is to be careful even with humans kissing children on their face but Dogs sniff their own poo and have their own set of germs.

I’d be annoyed if I grew up and found out my parents had allowed that. My niece hates dogs touching or licking her face and she’s old enough to say that now - good thing her parents didn’t let their dog lick her face when she was a baby.

Also dogs are unpredictable no one should have such full trust in their dogs around Even walking /talking kids let alone tiny babies.

I have a lab & a infant.
& had same concerns.
Honestly, she knew baby was coming, remember dogs senses are so much better than ours.
She was so good walking with me, when i was 9 months pregnant.
Naturally stopped jumping up etc

Make sure your dog is good on the lead & had excellent recall.
You dont want to be having stressful walks with a pram, or having to chase after your dog, while carrying a baby!

Bring in babys cot, moses basket, bath, clothes etc so dog can gey used to smells, & learn they arent toys, before baby arrives

Do less walks before baby arrives, or hire a dog walker just in case you need a longer revovery & dog can get used to a small change of routine for a short while.

Introduce baby slowly, dog shouldnt need to 'sniff your new born, thet can smell him from across the room.

& i love my dog, she doesnt have any agression o her, but i would never leave het alone with baby.esp now baby is a crawling grabbing infant