Pets and Dust

I would not worry, I have 3 dogs and never had problem with the kids. In fact, there are studies that say that children raised with animals are less prone to allergies later in life.

WELCOME to mamapedia!!

I know what it's like to be a first time mom. First things first - take a deep breath!! You cannot protect your child from EVERYTHING. Not ALL children are allergic to peanuts, dust mites, pet dander or other allergens.

If you don't want to go. Then state - I'm sorry - I'm NOT ready to travel with Jane right now. You are more than welcome to come to our home on this date.

It's okay to state boundaries and stand up for yourself.

If you can't talk to your husband about your feelings - you have a whole 'nother set of problems. Tell him your concerns. Don't say "YOUR PARENTS don't keep a clean home" - SAY "I am concerned about the dogs and the cats around Jane." If you start the conversation with YOU or YOUR parents - he will automatically be on the defensive.

being a first time mom I get you want to protect your child from everything little thing. You can't. That's the first step in becoming a confident mom. Knowing that you can't protect your child from every bump and bruise. They happen. Life happens.

You are ASSUMING that your child will be allergic to cat dander. NOT EVERYONE is.

I've got 2 cats and a dog plus the hair and dander that goes along with owning 2 cats and a dog. My children were exposed to this from the time they were infants and my grand children are exposed to this every time they come to visit. The more they are exposed to the better their immune systems will be.

That being said I'd be concerned with the hyper dogs. Make sure that your baby is kept safe from the dogs. Don't leave your child in a carrier on the floor. If the dogs aren't use to infants then there's no reason for them to 'get to know the baby' during your visit.

My daughter is 3 and we have a dog and a cat and plenty of dustbunnies and furballs rolling around. My daughter never had a problem with any of it.
I would be more concerned with the hyperness of the dogs though, but even hyper dogs do calm down.

Discuss your concerns with you husband, maybe your inlaws can come to your home.

I don't think I would be that worried, especially if you are just visiting for the day. We have 2 dogs and 3 cats ourselves and a healthy amount of dust in our home when DD was born and brought home from the hospital. She's always been fine. Kids that grow up in homes with pets and a reasonable amount of "untidyness" end up with better immune systems, fewer allergies and less problems with asthma. You could always ask your MIL to dust the house and clean up before coming over, and have the pets confined if you are that concerned, and just tell her to humor you, being a worried new mom with a new baby and all. But unless they are living in abject squalor and you are planning to set the baby down on the floor (which I wouldn't), I don't see where there is a cause for concern.

Not every person, and not every baby, is allergic to cat dander - or dust. If you all are going just for a short visit (say, an afternoon), I wouldn't worry about it.

When I brought my babies home (quite a looong time ago), our dogs were curious and wanted to sniff, and the cats were also curious. I'm just telling you this in advance because your in-laws' pets might want to be curious about your little one. Ask your husband to take charge of the "livestock" and distract them if they make you uncomfortable.

I don't really think there would be an issue... you are a new mom and it is completely understandable for you to have these concerns. You also have a lot of hormones going crazy in your body and that is OK, everything will settle down, in time.

If you are not ready to travel with your new bundle of joy, just say so. It is vital that you communicate with your hubby and you 2 are together on this! Start now working as a team on raising this baby and make decisions together.

I know you want to protect her from any possible allergens, danger, germs, etc but it is impossible to raise her normally wrapped in bubble wrap. The other posters are correct, not ALL children are allergic to pet dander, etc.

Congratulations on your little one. Enjoy her while you can because my baby is 17 already. Time flies.

I had 4 cats when I brought my son home from the hospital 15 years ago.
:) He didn't have a problem. (We still have cats and dogs.)

With that being said, I would wait until the baby was 4-6 weeks old to take her out anywhere. It's just a personal thing with me - I had no problem with people coming over to see him before that - but my family has a "thing" about hauling babies out in public before that. Eh, we could be weird. LOL

Congrats on your daughter - children's are blessings!!!

Great points from everyone. Congratulations on your little baby!!!

I have 2 dogs, plenty of fur flying LOL!

Nothing to worry about, they've been here for all 3 babies.

Of course, being that their pets are not used to babies, keep an eye on things. But do let the animals sniff the baby, they "have to" and will obsess about it more if you don't let them. Once you do, they should be fine, I'd think. I would think your in laws can come to you - you just had a baby, it is traditional for family members to schlep over to the family, not vice versa for heaven's sake! And any visitors should bring food or buy take out! Not expect you to cook and entertain while recovering from giving birth and caring for a newborn!

Typically, only family visits the first 6 weeks, and even then, only short visits. Then after that, it would be close friends, and also short visits, and they should come with a meal for you to freeze, and come not during a meal time or expecting you to cook!

At least this is in my opinion. This is what I have done for my friends and they for me.

Enjoy your baby!