Post by Lisa on Oct 30, 2012 5:45:15 GMT -5
Congratulations Sandra. I think the main thing when knackered wondering what the hell you have done and are feeling slightly worn around the edge is to try and keep a grip on reality and attack it as calmly as you can 
The majority of phone calls I get about dogs and babies are from knackered Mothers who are having a bad day and border line hitting hysteria and often its nothing to do with the dog but as the dog seems to be the only thing they can remove from the equation they focus on it.
Be prepared. Although with a baby you cant define what your schedule will be try to think of sensible times you will be able to attempt to walk the dogs working in or around your partners routine and when you take maternity leave before the babies arrival try to put it into practice. Dog gates as mentioned are a must and if necessary start to use the area now for the dogs so they adapt that you plan to place them in. For instance when Jack was small Dizzy use to head out to the passage because she preferred it BUT I started giving her time out in there when he was mobile anyway as he was 3 when I had her. Slings again as said are invaluable to enable free hands to walk. If you think you may need to cut the dogs excercise down a little to begin with then start to do that also whilst on maternity leave before the baby arrives so they are use to it before the baby lands. I also know that play pens during the day can be invaluable even with a new born because you can safely put them down to sleep in them BUT they are higher sided and safer than a crib or pram etc.
Get your other half to take blankets home from the hospital before you bring baby home and as someone else suggested try to desensitise them to babies cry now find a tape or a crying doll and use it, it really does help.
I do though in the midst of it all think that you trying to remain inwardly calm is the main main crux so think you need to think ahead as much as you can.
The majority of phone calls I get about dogs and babies are from knackered Mothers who are having a bad day and border line hitting hysteria and often its nothing to do with the dog but as the dog seems to be the only thing they can remove from the equation they focus on it.Be prepared. Although with a baby you cant define what your schedule will be try to think of sensible times you will be able to attempt to walk the dogs working in or around your partners routine and when you take maternity leave before the babies arrival try to put it into practice. Dog gates as mentioned are a must and if necessary start to use the area now for the dogs so they adapt that you plan to place them in. For instance when Jack was small Dizzy use to head out to the passage because she preferred it BUT I started giving her time out in there when he was mobile anyway as he was 3 when I had her. Slings again as said are invaluable to enable free hands to walk. If you think you may need to cut the dogs excercise down a little to begin with then start to do that also whilst on maternity leave before the baby arrives so they are use to it before the baby lands. I also know that play pens during the day can be invaluable even with a new born because you can safely put them down to sleep in them BUT they are higher sided and safer than a crib or pram etc.
Get your other half to take blankets home from the hospital before you bring baby home and as someone else suggested try to desensitise them to babies cry now find a tape or a crying doll and use it, it really does help.
I do though in the midst of it all think that you trying to remain inwardly calm is the main main crux so think you need to think ahead as much as you can.
