Conference misery::feline_v1

    Kevin,
    
    I doubt if those people who say you have to get rid of the cats are cat
    owners themselves. I don't think you need worry at all. I guess all
    cats are different, but my two never really took any interest in my
    baby daughter. In fact, they generally keep out of her way. Seven cats
    seems a lot, but my parents usually had six or seven cats when I was
    small, and two dogs. I'd say you are more likely to have problems with
    the dog, in fact. Dogs can get very jealous if you stop giving them the
    usual amount of attention. The cats will be curious for a few days, but
    they'll soon lose interest.
    
    I've heard of cats "stealing the breath" from babies, but I don't
    believe it. Although the cats are likely to go in your babys crib to
    sleep, I doubt if they will when the baby is in there. (Cats like peace
    and quiet, just like parents!) I think this is just another myth
    propagated by people who don't like cats. 
    
    Hope this has put your mind at rest a little.
    
    Dave
    

    
    Kevin,
    
    	When I was expecting our second, I had set up the crib about
    2 months ahead of time, with quilts and sheets and all that stuff
    waiting for our new baby.  Anyway, Sasha thought it was all for
    her!  And she loved her new bed and I thought she looked so cute
    in there I just figured I'd wash everything down again before the
    baby was born and all would be fine.  Until one day, I realized
    that Sasha probably wouldn't appreciate a baby sleeping in what
    had become HER new bed!  So, unfortunatly I had to break Sasha of
    the habit long before Kelley came along.  She was pretty good about
    it (although somewhat - and rightfully - confused).  And she stayed
    out of there when the baby did arrive.
    
    	So, I guess what I'm suggesting is just don't let the cats get
    used to being in the crib AT ALL!  (It's not good for the baby either.)
    
    	Otherwise, everyone should be fine as long as you both have
    a lot of attention to spread around  ;-)
    
    
    						jean

old wives tales, from the time when cats were accused of being witches'
familiars, and therefore capable of "stealing souls for the devil", continue
into modern day urban legends about cats stealing the breath from babies.
Not true.  There are no recorded cases where cats have ever injured or
killed a baby...beyond a scratch to convince a todler to "let go" when
he/she is hurting the cat.  You should take precautions.  Keep your cats
indoor-only and groomed REGULARLY in order to minimize the influx of possible
allergens into the infants environment - pollen on the cats' coats, saliva
buildup on the cats' coat, dander from the cat - all of which can become
a problem.  Keep the cats away from the baby's bed/crib and room as much
as possible.  Keep the cats away from the baby's face.  These are all
common-sense rules and should be intuitively obvious.  For that matter,
keep your dogs in their yards, bathed regularly, and out of the infant's
bed and room...and keep them away from the baby's face.  If you allow the
child to grow up around clean, well-groomed animals, you will probably have
less chance of the infant showing allergies later.  Of course, if medical
condition allows, nursing the infant also seems to protect the child from
allergies.

the cats are certainly NOT any more of a physical danger to the infant 
than some well-meaning friends and relatives...8^}

    We always grew up with tons of cats around.  Cats don't care for
    babies too much...too much noise I guess....so they never bother
    them.  In fact, we have some really cute pictures of kitties with
    big eyes peeking up over the crib railings when the baby is asleep
    to see what it's all about.  Little kitty kisses in the night.
    The only problems were with dogs.  I have personally known many
    situations where dogs have seriously injured or maimed a baby out
    of jealousy.  I'm not trying to knock dogs, what I am saying is just
    a fact.  Dogs can be dangerous around babies.  Even mild mannered dogs
    can become crazy with jealousy if they have been the center of
    attention before the baby came.  Cats generally avoid babies so I 
    doubt you'll have a problem with them.  
    
                                    Denise
    

    When my daughter was born, 25.5 years ago, I didn't have a cat,
    believe it or not!  But, I did have a dog - one of those that 
    thought she was a person not a dog.  When Susan came home from
    the hospital, Pepin took one sniff, decided that she belonged
    to her, and positioned herself under the crib EVERY minute that
    the baby was in it.  Nothing would make her budge!  Not even
    her favorite food.  When I would go to take the baby out of the
    crib to feed her, Pepin sat faithfully at my knees until I put
    the baby down where she could be beside her.  When the baby was
    being changed or dressed , Pepin was right there beside her.  I
    have pictures of the baby lying on the bed, reaching both of her
    arms up to try and hug the dog.  Susan would, as she got older,
    dress the dog in some of her old baby clothes, and take Pepin
    for rides in her doll buggy.  They had such a special relationship.
    I feel very badly that some children have to grow up without pets, 
    for whatever reason, allergies being a very common one.  Sorry to
    run on, but it really does bring very special memories back to me.
    
    E.T.

    Boy, talk about timing.  We just found out that I'm expecting, so
    although I've been in this file a while and read all the other notes on
    babies and cats as they have come along, I'll be following this note 
    more closely than I have others in the past.  
    
    What we plan on doing is putting a screen door up to the babies room. 
    That way neither the cats or the baby will feel left out, but I won't
    have to worry about any accidents.  
    
    Bernice
    Mother_of_Trouble_Becky_Velcro_&_Ferlie

    
    hehe!  I was wondering when you were going to announce that in here,
    Bernice!  
    
    Again, congratulations!  I think it's FANTASTIC!!!
    
    Holly
    

    Well, as long as we're announcing..... JACK AND I BECAME AUNT AND 
    UNCLE on Monday at 4:52 pm with the birth of Robert Allen Starr -
    8 lbs 6 oz!!  This is the first baby in the Diettrich or the Starr
    families so its a big deal!!!
    
    Hey Bernice - Are you hoping for a folded ear or straight ear baby??
    ;-))))))

    Nancy,
    
    My standard answer to people who ask a similar question (boy or girl)
    is "healthy".  I'll have to think about the staight or folded question
    a little more :-)))
    
    Bernice