What's Your Bringing Home The Baby Plan?

[Juicy]

The thread about dogs barking when someone knocks got me thinking, sure I'm fine with it now, but what about when in the future I'm bringing home my 1st born and I get visitors during that 1st week. I don't want the barking to startle the baby. And then I thought about my own recovery, would I have strength to walk four dogs? To take time to take them out for potty breaks? What about if I had a c-section?

I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, do you think keeping our dog in a kennel for baby's 1st week home is a good idea? Maybe two weeks if its a c-section? I'm thinking too having to stay in the hospital for a couple of days, it wouldn't be such a bad idea.

I was thinking it wouldn't be so bad, and I could have hubby visit with blankets with the baby's smell for them to sleep with.

What are your thoughts and what plans do you have for the arrival of your baby or if you had a baby what were your experiences?


Sorry been watching too much bringing home the baby

 

[mrose_s]

I personally wouldn't kennel them, there is the chance it could upset them even more and when they come home there would be a brand new little person taking up residence in their absence.

I'd just start changing their routine now so when the baby does arrive, its no big deal.

 

[Juicy]

hmm ok, oooh and I can hire a dog walker too!! will be a whole lot easier than to kennel four dogs.


btw love our siggie, lmao

 

[Romy]

Babies can hear everything going on around them in-utero, so if your dogs are barking now it will be a familiar sound for your child when he/she enters the world of breathing air. Supposedly their hearing is so acute that they can hear someone whispering on the other side of the room, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Childproofing Your Dog

This is a fantastic book that I recommend you read. Our last foster got adopted the day before Aurelia was born and we didn't get Strider until she was two weeks old, so it was a little different of a situation than most families but the information in the book in invaluable. I would recommend people that don't have or plan on children reading it because a lot of it is just common sense socialization.

The only things that stand out to me about walking through the door with the baby for the first time are:

1. Try to send a receiving blanket or something with the baby's smell ahead of time.

2. Have somebody other than the mother carry the baby through the door. It could be a dad, aunt, grandparent, sibling, etc. but not the mom. I don't remember why but it seemed he had a good reason in the book.

 

[Juicy]

Babies can hear everything going on around them in-utero, so if your dogs are barking now it will be a familiar sound for your child when he/she enters the world of breathing air. Supposedly their hearing is so acute that they can hear someone whispering on the other side of the room, so I wouldn't worry too much.

Childproofing Your Dog

This is a fantastic book that I recommend you read. Our last foster got adopted the day before Aurelia was born and we didn't get Strider until she was two weeks old, so it was a little different of a situation than most families but the information in the book in invaluable. I would recommend people that don't have or plan on children reading it because a lot of it is just common sense socialization.

The only things that stand out to me about walking through the door with the baby for the first time are:

1. Try to send a receiving blanket or something with the baby's smell ahead of time.

2. Have somebody other than the mother carry the baby through the door. It could be a dad, aunt, grandparent, sibling, etc. but not the mom. I don't remember why but it seemed he had a good reason in the book.

I didn't know that thanks and for the book reference too.

 

[claycath59]

I raised all 3 of my kids around multiple dogs & it was actually easier on us. My kids were used to the sound and as babies, they might startle for a second when a dog would bark, but then they would settle right back down because they were so used to the noise. My sister on the other hand always insisted on complete quiet for her kids & every little noise would awaken them.
All my other tips have already been mentioned. Oh, do let the pups check the baby out (with extreme supervision of course). They need to smell the little human and get used to the idea of the new pack member. It's hard for them to do if they are not allowed to get close to the baby.

 

[Juicy]

I raised all 3 of my kids around multiple dogs & it was actually easier on us. My kids were used to the sound and as babies, they might startle for a second when a dog would bark, but then they would settle right back down because they were so used to the noise. My sister on the other hand always insisted on complete quiet for her kids & every little noise would awaken them.
All my other tips have already been mentioned. Oh, do let the pups check the baby out (with extreme supervision of course). They need to smell the little human and get used to the idea of the new pack member. It's hard for them to do if they are not allowed to get close to the baby.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Now to find someone who will love all the madness that comes with having to love me and my four looney dogs :rofl1:

 

[bubbatd]

The reason that someone else should bring the baby in is because they will be thrilled to see you home and this is no time to scold them for mauling you ! Logic .

 

[Lizmo]

That is precisely why I don't want my dogs barking at door bells or knocks NOW. Even beyond babies -since that won't come for a while, lol- what if I've got guest over that are sleeping and someone rings the door bell? Talk about rude and embarassing!

I would not kennel my dogs when I have a baby unless I know that I and my husband will be gone from the house for an extended time. Plus, I'd want my -future- husband there with me/baby the whole time. I think the first few days of new said baby being home are crutial learning time for both dog and owner.

 

[bubbatd]

Went smoothly for me !! Family met family !

 

[Vintage Boxers]

Our house will be how it is now, except the dogs will also have a baby to "watch over"

I guess i see it as, well when i bring another "dog" into the pack they have no choices, so what makes the baby any different. In fact any other animal or child in our house has been treated that way.

We are expecting our first in june and our plan. Same rules and boundaries, and just going with the flow, they won't get stressed if we aren't making them that way.
I want them to see the baby as part of the pack, not as something taking a place and attention away from them....so we just do it like we do with puppies!

Dunno, that is just how i see it i guess

S

 

[Pam111]

I really don't plan on changing anything. I'm pretty sure my dogs will be just fine with the baby here and we won't have a ton of visitors. My dogs are fine with visitors anyway...they aren't barky dogs at all.