[LookMumNoHands]

I've found a beautiful rescue cat, who I'm told is very affectionate. He really wants a new home and I'm sure I would be his perfect owner.

DH is not against me getting a cat, but is worried about it being dangerous when the baby comes along in May.

Is it true that cats can smother babies by sleeping on their heads?

If you were me, would you get him?

[noi'mnot]

Get it.

My understanding is that there is no recorded case in history, around the world, of a cat smothering an infant to death.

We had no problems with two cats and a baby. Just made sure that the baby and cat situation was supervised.

A lot of people replace the bedroom door that the baby will be in with a flyscreen door as a precaution, the internets told me. Some alternatively cut out a panel at the top of the door and replace it with flyscreen, both options keep a cat out if you're really really worried.

My partner's family were TRULY PARANOID about the cats smothering the baby, and took many many months to calm down over it, but eventually realised it's a non-risk.

Get the cat! Yay!

[strawberry blond...]

I have had 3 DD's so far and several cats and not once has a cat wanted to sit on any of my babies! I'm due im May too and considering getting another cat at the moment. I'm pretty sure that story is an old wives tale. You can also get mosquito type nets to go over the babies cot, they are about $99 and have a zip for easy access.

[Apageintime]

Get him.

The smothering is an old wives tale.

In my experience cats hate babies anyway, theyre noisy and don't provide food and compete for lap space. So cats normally avoid babies.

[la di dah]

I have two cats and am TTC. I would like a crib with a mosquito netting like this. Not because I am so afraid of the cats doing something to the baby but I do know they will see the crib w/o baby as nothing more than a new laundry basket and they will try to set up camp and shed and sleep in there.

And also my MIL will eventually catch them doing that and have a heart attack.

Most cats tend to ignore babies as loud, messy, and not their problem.

[LookMumNoHands]

Just had another chat with him, and now he''s added toxoplasmosis to the list.

[la di dah]

Just had another chat with him, and now he''s added toxoplasmosis to the list.

Interesting fact: Indoor cats that are fed proper cat food don't generally carry toxoplasmosis as cats get that from eating birds and rodents. You're likelier to get it, gardening, from a cat that lives down the road and wanders than you are from your own indoor cat.

And honestly the big precaution they recommend is getting someone else to change the litterbox, and to change it often. Though maybe that's why he's holding out?

[noi'mnot]

Toxoplasmosis is easy to deal with - first, you get a blood test to see if you've been exposed to it earlier. If you have, then you don't need to worry. Otherwise, he just changes the litter. It's not a big deal.

[strawberry blond...]

If he really loved you he would let you have the cat and he would be happy to change the little trays!!!!

[opethmum]

Ha! He is trying to get out of changing litter trays. Get the cat and I am looking forward to seeing the pic!!