I was just wondering if anyone has any information about cats smothering newborn babies? Ever since telling my family that i'm expecting i keep getting yold that i must keep the cats out of the bedroom when the baby is sleeping otherwise they'll sit on the baby & smother it! Apparently it's the smell of the milk that makes them jump into the cot. I'm hoping this is just an old wives tale as i can't imagine not having my furry water bottles, so i guess what i want is to hear from all you parents (cat & human) to help put my mind at rest

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Personally, I would never leave a small baby and an animal unattended together at all. Just keep the bedroom door shut for the first few months, better to be safe than sorry. I know my cats would jump into a cot or moses basket to be cosy, nevermind any milk, so would just never risk it.

I've three kids - always had cats - never has a cat jumped onto my babies! If you are worried you can buy a cat net to go over prams and cots etc - but best advice is don't leave the cat alone with the child. Cat and kids go very well together.

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I've also seen things like this when I've been shopping around for cat stuff I don't have kids so can't comment on whether they're any good or not though! Cot Cat Net - Cot Size

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Basil & Sybil

Like Spid I have had cats for all of my adult life and three babies of my own during that time too - now I have 10 grandchildren to add to that
I had a cat net when my daughter was a baby (40 years ago) but I don't think the cats were bothered about jumping into her pram or cot. I would just make sure that you don't leave them alone together and there shouldn't be any problem. As for cats smothering babies I believe that's just an old wives tale put about when cats were believed to be witches' familiars
And now, any excuse for my favourite picture of cat (well, kitten) and baby

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How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven. - Robert A. Heinlein
http://www.lambchopsiamese.webs.com

I've also had 2 babies and no probs with cat and baby. I do think that cats being attracted to human breast milk does smack of an old wives tale or perhaps an urban myth

Congrats on the pregnancy and as the others have said baby + cat = photo cuteness overload

I had this rammed down my throat. Like any other animal I never left the babies alone with my cats and I also used a cat net, just to be sure when they were tiny. but like that beautiful picture of lymorelynn , I also have numerous similar pictures

I'll be getting the same rubbish talk I expect when I announce I'm expecting. I'll get a cot net for daytime naps (mainly to keep dh happy) but really I think it's best not to leave them alone anyway. I'm not worried about it. I can't see it being a problem. Congrats btw

My ten year old, four-pawed nephew - Sammie - is very protective of my 6mth, 2 legged nephew - Craig. He runs to Craig if he cries and then runs to my sister to let her know that he is crying. He has NEVER tried to 'suffocate' Craig, or jumped in his cot / pram / play-pen etc at any time. My sister has never once had any concern that Sammie might harm Craig in any way.

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Hi, I managed to bring up two children who have survived to their teenage years, despite being brought up with three cats. Yes, I got the same story about cats smothering babies - actually you'll find that when you bring the baby home and it cries - the cats will shoot off and hide in terror - and never dare go near the screaming thing again until it quietens down and turns into a proper human.

What the cats did like was to jump in the cot when the baby wasn't there and snuggle down - just as they'd do with any other cosy spot, be it a bed or basket of washing. It's only a short time you have to worry really, before the baby is sitting and crawling - then you have to watch the kid like a hawk to stop it using the litter tray as a sandpit!