TheBabyCrib.com

Having a pet around the house can be an enjoyable experience for a grown child. For babies and toddlers however, a pet around the house can be potentially dangerous. How can you keep a pet and still ensure your child’s safety?

Gradual Introduction

Cats don’t easily get jealous of new babies but dogs do. Make the transition easy for your dog even before the baby is taken home from the hospital. Allow your dog to sniff your baby’s blanket or clothes to get him used to the unfamiliar scent. You can also record your baby’s sound of crying and let your dog listen to it.

On the first few days of the baby’s arrival, it is better to keep them apart. Introduce the baby slowly by asking someone else to hold the dog on a leash as you bring the baby in. Whenever the three of you are together, be sure to talk to your dog gently and to praise and reward him so that the dog will begin to associate the baby with happy feelings.

Setting Barriers

Even when your pet has already gotten used to the baby, you should always maintain appropriate barriers. As much as possible, keep your pet away from the nursery. At the same time, you should never allow your baby to hold or play with your pet’s toys or food. If you have an aquarium or a pond, make sure that you have secure netting over the opening.

Cats in particular may like to lie down beside babies because of the comfort and warmth of baby cots. Never allow any pet to lie down beside a baby since this may lead to suffocation if your pet accidentally rolls over the baby. Pets may not always be sensitive to their bed mates.

Obedience Training

It may be a good idea to begin obedience training for your dog even before the baby is brought home. This will allow you to detect behavior or attitude problems in your dog at an early stage. Continue obedience training even when the baby is already in. As much as possible, consistently apply positive reinforcement so that your dog does not learn to associate your baby with anything negative.

Choosing a Pet

Be mindful of the kind of pet you have or plan to have. It is particularly advisable for example to remove all reptiles when there is a child below 1 or 2 years old. This is because reptiles are known to carry salmonella bacteria which babies can ingest and get sick from. Babies can get this kind of bacterial infection even if they touch surfaces with slight traces of reptile urine or feces.

Dog breeds are also something you should check on. Breeds in the terrier dog group for example are not good pets to keep around a baby. Terriers are naturally active and curious and may accidentally nip your baby.

Supervision

The best tip of all is to simply never leave your baby and pet together. Be present at all times when both your baby and pet are in the same room.

Poison prevention should be the concern of everyone at home especially since poisoning is considered the 2nd leading cause of accidental death in the home. It becomes even more important however when there is a baby at home.

Poison Education

A baby becomes especially prone to the danger of poisoning when it starts to crawl. Naturally, you would want to keep your baby safe in a crib or playpen but accidents can still happen if your baby manages to crawl out. You would also want to give your child an occasional and safe run of the house for a little play variety.

Poison can be anything that can be taken orally, inhaled or put on the skin or eyes and cause damage to parts of the body. Begin educating your crawler even before he reaches the toddler stage by firmly telling him where he is or is not allowed and which substances are bad.

Post Numbers

Know the numbers of your hospital, gas company and all other emergency facilities by heart. You should however also put them in writing and position the numbers near the telephone. Inform all the house occupants and your baby sitter about the numbers and who to contact in case of poisoning.

Gas Checks

If you are using gas powered equipment, always ask technicians to check fireplaces, stoves, heaters and all other related equipment at least once a year for leaks and damages. It would also help however to have gas or CO detectors installed near the nursery and other rooms the whole year round. Inform house occupants of the sound a detector makes in case of elevated CO levels. If you smell gas, simply turn off all gas powered equipment, leave the house and call a technician.

Secure Poisonous Items

Cleaning agents, bath items and cosmetics are all poisonous. Never leave any of these items on floors especially when your attention is called away by the ringing phone or the door bell. Keep these items away from food storage cabinets and do not transfer poisonous substances in old baby food containers. Keep baby safety caps on and keep them under lock and key or in cabinets with baby safety latches. It would also help not to remove original labels. Most cleaning agent labels will give you first aid tips on what to do in case of accidental ingestion and the doctor may need the labels to treat poisoning.

Clear Your Pockets

Babies do not just get attracted by shiny keys and coins in your pockets and purses. Medicines may also look like something nice to put in their mouths. Put safety caps on all bottled medicines and remove them from your pockets and purses. Secure all medications and related equipment in locked or latched drawers and cabinets. Immediately dispose of expired medication.

Garage Chemicals

Pesticides, fuels and garden products should be kept under lock and key in overhead cabinets in the garage. If you have been using a chemical extensively, change your foot wear before getting back into the house. Close and store products immediately after using and clean up any accidental spills right away.

Plant Watch

Some indoor plants can be either poisonous or can be choking hazards for your baby. Either keep your house plant free or hang plants out of reach instead.