Cot nets and Cats - Pregnancy, Birth & Baby Forums ~ BellyBelly

jenjams · #1 (**permalink**) January 15th, 2008, 08:22 PM

We have 2 cats. Our first child is due in a week and a half. Juniors room at the moment is always left closed unless DP or I are in there. MIL has been going on and on and on about the cats jumping into the cot with junior etc. Now there is NO WAY I would be giving up my cats (we have a dog too) Has anybody used a cot net canopy? If so was it useful.
U have seen the tent style ones that go over the cot and look like a taut canopy. This maybe the solution to get MIL off our backs?
I grew up with cats and had no problems. My children will grow up with pets too.

Starfish · #2 (**permalink**) January 15th, 2008, 08:27 PM

Hi Jen

I haven't used a cot net, but I just wanted to tell you that apparently its an urban myth that cats jump into cradles and smother babies. As far as I know, there has never been a documented case of this happening. I don't have cats at the moment, but I grew up with them and we never had any problems. Good luck with your new baby.

Arimeh · #3 (**permalink**) January 15th, 2008, 08:40 PM

Jen, we have two very inquisitive cats who we thought would be a problem when we brought home DS. When we were in hospital, DH took some baby clothes home for the cats (and dogs) to smell to get them familiar with it. About 3 months before he was born, we started shutting the door to what would be his room, and if we left it open, the cats would go in there, but never jumped in his cot, just on the rocking chair. So we let them know that this was not acceptable. They got the idea. To this day (its been a year since he was born) the cats have never jumped in the cot with him or without him. The female cat sits outside his bedroom door (we leave it ajar at night when he is sleeping) and usually keeps him company in the morning by going under his cot and him looking around for her!!!! Quite amusing actually. But to answer your question, the cot net wasn't necessary in our case because we were quite prepared. Hope this helps!! Good luck :-)

Artechim · #4 (**permalink**) January 15th, 2008, 09:04 PM

We have been having a problem lately with the cat jumping into the cot. She usually never jumps on anything except the bed, but she must be feeling unloved atm and I am sure she is only going in there for attention. She hasn't done it when he is in there, we keep the door ajar when he is in the cot so she can't get in. I am trying to discourage her when I catch her in there. Not sure about the cot nets but if she continues to get in there I will look into it.

BTW, my DS loves the cat and dog, he can reach out to pat them now which is very cute. He gets a huge grin if the dog comes his way and he is always talking to them.

Rach75 · #5 (**permalink**) January 16th, 2008, 09:10 AM

I was so worried about our cat we had Jacks room set up for a few months and I allowed her to explore to get it out of her system but so funny once he was home she would not go in his room at all, if he was in the lounge she wouldn't leave the hall etc

I beleive they know

MummaBear79 · #6 (**permalink**) January 16th, 2008, 09:33 AM

Im a cat breeder, and after having 3 kids, I have never had a problem with them jumping up into my bubbies cots. I have a net for the cot just incase, but ive never used it.

Kazbah · #7 (**permalink**) January 16th, 2008, 09:54 AM

My cat jumps into his cradle, but only now that he's not using it any more. This is the cat that loves the baby - the other cat has nothing to do with him. But the other cat would jump into the cradle whenever it could prior to birth - I put plastic over the cradle mattress and also the cot net - the cat did get caught in the net one day (lucky it was an old net and I hadn't put the new net on yet!) and never went back.

Marydean · #8 (**permalink**) January 16th, 2008, 10:28 AM

I have a cot net for peace of mind only. In actual fact, with DD1 (my pre cot-net days) my cat got into the cot once or twice but always curled up at the foot end - like she does on our bed. This time round we've had the net up from day dot as the cradle was higher and in a nice warm spot but she's not shown any interest even when the net has been open and the baby's not there.

Feathertop · #9 (**permalink**) January 16th, 2008, 05:29 PM

We've got a security screen door installed, so the room gets airflow and the cats can see in, but can't go in there daytime or nighttime. It's great, ensures the heat/cool air can flow to the babies room, the cats get to see the baby and also know the room is off limits to them.