Letting Your Pets In Bed When Co-Sleeping
We have a cat that likes to curl up with us at night. Should we put a stop to this when baby comes?
Sorry, your pet will have to find a new place to nap. If your cat nestles in next to baby, its fur could obstruct baby’s breathing. Also, animal dander could irritate a newborn’s sensitive nasal passages, causing congestion and difficulty breathing. Then there is the fear of the pet snuggling against baby’s nose and obstructing breathing. If you choose to sleep with your baby in your bed, it would be wise to not let your pets in bed and have your pets sleep outside your bedroom. Once your cat sees that baby is curled up next to you in what used to be “her place,” the cat is likely to want to nestle right where baby is to reclaim her space. Ditto this precaution for not allowing pets to sleep in baby’s crib. Toddlers, however, often love to sleep curled up next to their pets. Provided children are not allergic to their pets, this is a safe arrangement. Sleeping close to their favorite pet as an attachment object helps children enjoy a more restful night’s sleep.