In many households, there are pets before babies. That often creates a worry as to how the animals will respond to your baby after his or her birth. As you’ll find out in this article, in general, cats are considered to be dangerous to babies. So how do you keep a cat out of your baby’s bassinet?
In this article, I’m going to answer some of your burning questions about cats in bassinets. You’ll read about the danger of cats suffocating babies or scratching them with their sharp nails. I will also give you some tips to help you keep your cat out of your baby’s bassinet.
Why Do Cats Love the Bassinet So Much?
It’s inevitable that your cat will at some point try to get into the bassinet. This is simply because they are creatures who love to sleep in a cozy space. If your baby spends a lot of time sleeping in the bassinet, the cat might think it’s a perfect place to also sleep uninterrupted!
Your cat might also just want to be part of the family, so it will want to be where the family is. Oftentimes, cats are also drawn to the milky smell of milk on your baby’s breath.
Can cats suffocate babies?
While it’s possible for a cat to accidentally suffocate a sleeping baby by lying too close to its face, medical and animal experts agree that this is highly unlikely that a cat could suffocate a baby on purpose.
With that being said, a cat lying too close to your baby’s face could lead to the baby having trouble breathing. Since cats have loose fine hair, your baby could also develop an allergy to the hair or dander. It’s not worth taking the risk. It’s better to take precautions just in case!
This is the main danger of letting a cat sleep in a bassinet. Read on to find out about some other dangers, too at the end of the article.
How to keep your cat out of the bassinet
Use a bassinet with cover
The most efficient way to keep your cat out of your baby’s bassinet is to buy a bassinet with a cover from the start. Bassinet covers provide babies with adequate cover without compromising their airflow. Later in this article I’ll list a few of the most popular bassinet cover options to consider.
Use double-sided sticky tape around the edges of the bassinet
A cheap, and common way for parents to keep cats out of their baby’s crib is the old double-sided sticky tape trick. This trick is a good trick to try if you don’t have space in your budget for bassinet covers or specialized cat toys.
If you’re not familiar with this trick, this is how it works.
- Stick double-sided sticky tape around the edges of the bassinet (or even crib)
- The sticky tape irritates the little hairs on the cat’s paws and they will not want to touch the tape as it hampers them from getting proper traction
- For the most part, they will eventually stop trying to jump into the bassinet
Monitor your cat’s behavior
Another way to ensure your cat stays out of the bassinet is to monitor your cat’s behavior. This doesn’t mean you’ll have to spend the day following the cat around! If you’ve had the cat for a while, you’ll be familiar with its sleeping and behavior patterns.
It’s important to provide the cat with toys to keep it entertained so that it doesn’t wander into the crib out of boredom. Another way to keep your cat at bay is to make use of a baby monitor with motion detection.
Since you’re going to buy a monitor anyway, you might want to invest in a Nanit Pro. This model is a smart video monitor that will alert you when movement is detected as the cat jumps into the bassinet. It’s a great way to make sure the cat doesn’t jump into the bassinet. I wrote about it in another article when I compared it with other popular monitors.
Have a screen door
Installing a screen door in your nursery or the room where you keep the bassinet is also a good way to keep your cat away from your baby. A screen door will ensure that the baby still gets adequate airflow, especially during the summer months. Check out e.g. this Magnetic Screen Door.
Keep your cat entertained during the day
A cat is just like another infant in the home. Keeping your cat active during the day will make them too tired to try and climb into the bassinet. Simple ways to keep your cat entertained include playing with toys, buying them cat trees, condos for climbing, or their own tunnel bed.
It’s also important to give your cat attention. This will ensure there are no feelings of jealousy toward your baby if the cat feels neglected when the new baby arrives.
Purchase a pet pen (playpen)
If your cat enjoys being around your little one, or your little one likes the cat, you could consider buying a big pet pen or playpen in the nursery. It should have a covering and some type of door to keep the cat from getting out. It should also provide enough space for your cat to play with its toys and still see you and the baby in the room.
Here’s a short clip showing you how to protect your baby from your cat!
Best cat-proof bassinets (with cover)
Unfortunately, current bassinet manufacturers aren’t selling universally applicable covers to attach to bassinets. The best option is then to find a bassinet with a cover that will keep your pet away from your baby.
Fortunately, here are some of the more popular options on the market – 4 of my favorite recommendations.
Baby Delight Go With Me Slumber Deluxe Portable Rocking Bassinet
This model has a removable and washable cover, sheet, canopy and netting. The bassinet features 6 different positions for height adjustment. The bassinet also easily folds up for travel or storage. With the clear cover, you can easily keep an eye on your little one while keeping your furry friend out of the bassinet!
This model is also one of my picks when I evaluated the best rocking bassinets.
INFANS 2 in 1 Rocking Bassinet for Newborn Baby, One-Second Fold Travel Crib
This model makes the list because of its breathable mesh. The mesh is placed in the 4 corners of the bassinet so the baby can easily breathe fresh air at all times. This mesh also makes up the cover which not only keeps the baby safe but also keeps the cat out!
Dream On Me Lotus Bassinet & Bedside Sleeper
The mosquito net canopy on this model is not only handy for use outdoors, but it’s a great way to keep your cat from jumping into the bassinet. It provides an easy view and adequate ventilation and smooth airflow. Since the canopy is removable, you can easily take it off when the cat isn’t around!
Dream On Me brand for bassinets is also one of my choices in my other article on best bassinets for small spaces.
Delta Children EZ Fold Ultra Compact Travel Bedside Bassinet
On this model, a removable canopy keeps the baby safe from curious cats and even mosquitos. The mesh fabric on the sides and cover easily provide sufficient airflow to the bassinet while giving you a perfect view of your little one!
FAQ
Is cat pee bad for a baby?
Pet urine, and that includes cat urine, can be toxic to smaller children. This is mostly the result of the high levels of ammonia found in cat urine. High levels of ammonia could cause or aggravate respiratory problems. Children suffering from asthma and bronchitis are more at risk.
This is another reason why it’s a good idea to keep a cat out of your baby’s bassinet.
Final thoughts
Bringing your baby home doesn’t mean you have to get rid of your beloved cat. Investing in one of the bassinets with a cover is one way of ensuring your cat doesn’t jump into your baby’s bassinet. One great choice is the Baby Delight Go With Me Slumber Deluxe Portable Rocking Bassinet.
The other way to keep your cat away from the bassinet is to ensure you give your cat enough toys and attention to keep them busy. There’s no need to choose between your pet and your baby. With my guidelines, you can let your fur baby be a part of your new parenting experience!
Last update on 2024-04-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
