Hudson Valley Parent

Spring 2013 Baby Guide

Issue link: http://hvparent.uberflip.com/i/353537

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 26 of 31

HVParent.com Q Hudson Valley Parent 27 surgically on more than one occasion." What can you do to prevent that? Be mindful of leaving these small objects, lying around. Perhaps create a baby basket in rooms which you spend large amounts of time so that you can safely store these items safely out of Spot's reach. Growing up with Baby As baby grows and begins to eat solid foods, it is important to think about how their messy table manners, while adorable, could have a negative effect on Spot. "Be aware of food items that may get dropped which could be toxic for your pet," says Dr. Greenberg. "Grapes, raisins, onions, chocolate and macadamia nuts can all spell major trouble for pets." Laura Danella is the mother of three children and two dogs. She lives in Campbell Hall. becoming one big happy family. The first night away from the hospital, Jessica's husband, Paul, brought back the blanket that had swaddled their newborn all day. "Paul put the blanket in the dog bed so they could get used to the smell," said Pakenham. "The blanket really worked! The first night we brought Gavin home, Augie and Chewy sniffed him out and immediately fell in love with Gavin." Also, keep in mind that although it is easy to let your emotions get the best of you and feel anxious about how your loved ones will get along, it is best to remain calm. "Stress on the part of parents will only serve to heighten stress on the part of your pet, who is very good at reading non-verbal signals from their human housemates," says Dr. Greenberg. Instead of whisking baby to an out of reach spot, let your pet take a whiff of their new house mate, their curiosity will be served and they will go about their own business while you begin adjusting to your new life. Dr. Greenberg does however urge parents to continue adult supervision whenever babies are sharing the same home space with pets. Pakenham says the most important thing for parents to remember is to keep calm and make your newborn's homecoming as stress-free for the pets and family members as possible. Keeping Spot Safe Most parents spend a consid- erable amount of time and often, a considerable amount of money to ensure that their new arrival will be safe at home. You should also take some time to consider what potential dangers having a new baby in the house could mean to your pet. "Probably the biggest new potential danger with the introduction of a new baby to a household is new objects that a pet could ingest, says Dr. Greenberg. "Small items like bottle nipples, pacifiers, baby socks or mittens, left within pets' reach could easily become an intestinal obstruction. I have seen these items removed "Setting up items like playpens ahead of time allows pets to see them, smell them and adjust." DAVID GREENBERG, DVM Flannery Animal Hospital Don't forget to feed Fido! Don't forget to make arrangements for someone to watch Fido while you are in the hospital giving birth to your little bundle of joy! Here are some helpful hints for finding a pet sitter! DO: Make sure backup sitters are available in case your primary sitter has an emergency. Interview your sitter and establish a "comfort level" for you, the pet and your sitter. Confirm that the sitter offers seven-day per week telephone and email availability and rapid response. DON'T: Shop for a pet care provider on price alone. Often, the lowest-cost providers lack insurance and professional training. Leave your pet care to the local neighbor's kid, who might be forgetful about their full pet care responsibilities. Even those with good intentions can still fall short relative to proper pet care. Assume that you can leave your pets home alone and unattended with a large supply of food and water while you're away. To find a reliable pet sitter near you, call FETCH! Pet Care's toll-free consumer help line at 1-866-FETCH-ME or use its online pet sitter locator at FetchPetCare.com Tips for hiring a pet sitter

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Hudson Valley Parent - Spring 2013 Baby Guide