Rats and newborn baby

[Rollersara]

i'm 37 weeks pregnant and I also have 9 pet rats. Rats often come out to play on the bed next to where baby will sleep. Not planning on introducing rats to baby, but how important is it to keep them apart? Can the baby be in our bed (bearing in mind rats tendancy to mark their territory!) after the rats have been out, or do we need to set up a whole new play area for them where baby never goes?!

[ragged]

Rats never bothered baby, baby (later toddler) did bother rats. So for rats' sakes, I would be very careful about what baby does, not other way around.

[ragged]

Rats aren't that incontinent, that's a huge myth. Rare that any of mine ever wee'd on us (boys or girls).
9 rats weeing a bit on the sheets for an hour is probably less bodily fluid than OP sweats out each night, anyway.

[Rollersara]

Rats are very good in that respect. They will go home for a toilet break and then come back out of their own accord. Certainly won't have them in touching distance of baby but was worried they might still pass something on...lo

[ragged]

I find short lifespan a plus, actually. Not such a big commitment :).
Males are more likely to wee haphazardly, btw, I think that's the common experience.