Important notice to customers — product packaging changesLearn More

NEW FOOD PACKAGING IN STORE NOW

From August 2018, customers will notice our rebranded food packaging start to appear on shelf in all major stockists.

  • CURRENT Packaging
  • new Packaging

We are excited to announce our new packaging will start to appear on shelf from August 2018. This transition to new packaging will occur over a number of months. During this time there will be a mix of current and new packaging on shelf.

There are no major changes to these products, in some instances there is a small name change or slight recipe improvement, see below for the full details.

Products purchased via the website will be delivered to customers in our old packaging until the end of October. From November, products ordered from the website will be delivered in the new packaging.

Please note, our Infant Formula packaging will not be rebranded until later in 2019.

For any questions, connect with our team of accredited practising Dietitians on +61 3 6332 9200

Product name changes

  • Cereal Name Changes
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Baby Rice
  • NEW Packaging Organic Rice with Prebiotic (GOS) Note: Our Baby Rice recipe has been upgraded to now include GOS Prebiotic
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Vanilla Rice Custard
  • NEW Packaging Organic Milk & Vanilla Baby Rice
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Apple & Cinnamon Porridge
  • NEW Packaging Organic Apple & Cinnamon Baby Porridge
  • Ready To Serve Name Changes
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Banana, Pear & Mango
  • New Packaging Organic Banana, Pear, Apple & Mango
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Mango, Blueberry & Apple
  • New Packaging Organic Blueberry, Mango & Apple
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Peach & Apple
  • New Packaging Organic Grape, Apple & Peach
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Pumpkin & Tomato Risotto
  • New Packaging Organic Pumpkin, Sweet Potato & Tomato
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Broccoli, Beef & Brown Rice
  • New Packaging Organic Beef & Vegetables
  • Note: We have also upgraded some of our RTS recipes to remove added sugars and to remove some of the more complex ingredients that are not required for young children such as Tamari.
  • RUSKS NAME CHANGES
  • CURRENT Packaging Organic Milk Rusks Toothiepegs
  • New Packaging Organic Milk Rusks
Home/Nutrition & Recipes/Pre-School (2-4 years old)/How to Introduce Your Pet to Your Baby

How to Introduce Your Pet to Your Baby

bellamysorganic - Your Pet to Your Baby

Bringing home a new baby is a hugely exciting time, but it is also a time of nervousness. Common fears include ‘will my baby lose weight?’, ‘will I have trouble feeding?’, and ‘will I understand by baby’s cries and cues?’. Other situation-specific fears include ‘how will my older child handle their new sibling?’ or ‘how will my pet react when I bring home someone so tiny?’.

When you have a pet at home, it is a good idea to start preparing your pet for baby’s arrival as soon as possible. If you feel it is necessary, talk to a local pet trainer or veterinarian about “baby readiness” classes, which are specifically designed for getting your pet ready for the new arrival.

Before any “baby-readiness” training takes place, your pet will need to have the basics down pat. In the case of dogs, this means being able to walk on a leash, understand commands such as “sit”, “stay” and “get down”, and knowing not to jump up or snatch things out of hands.

With the basic training skills in place, you can then get to work on setting up the scene for once baby arrives.

Start by setting up a special, private spot in which your pet can spend time in. This might be a laundry room, a dog crate or a high shelf. Fill the space with comforts such as a food bowl, water dish, blanket and toys to create a retreat for moments of overstimulation, such as frequent visitors or baby’s crying. If there is an area you know you won’t want your pet to go, such as baby’s nursery, stop access to these spots early on.

You can also ready them by desensitising your pet to the kind of rough handlings expected from a small child. By touching areas where small hands are likely to go, such as the face, paw pads, tail, ears, mouth and underside of the body, you can get your pet comfortable and used to the intrusion. If your pet initially reacts badly to this kind of play, have a helper feed your pet treats while you do it. It is also wise to introduce touch at feeding times, as not only will this get them used to being interrupted when at their food bowl, it will also help associate rough touch with something pleasurable.

Jumping up

When you own a dog, enforcing a no jumping up rule is essential – being jumped on when you are carrying a newborn can be extremely dangerous. You can do this by keeping your attention and hands away from your dog until all feet are firmly on the floor. If your dog jumps, walk away for 30 seconds to a minute and then greet them again. If he jumps, again refuse him attention. Continue this until there is no sign of jumping, when you are free to pat and praise.

When you have a cat that likes to jump up in your lap, this too can be dangerous. If your cat jumps up uninvited, stand up and place cat on the ground. Then teach your cat a jump-up command, possibly using a treat as a lure, until they learn that an invitation is required.

Sleeping on beds

Many pet owners are happy to have their animals sleep on beds, but there is some concern regarding dominance. Many animals see height as a form of dominance, therefore ensuring they sleep on the ground can reinstate their status. It is important for your animals to see the baby as their superior.

Walking away

Many animals do not realise that walking away is an option and will instead choose to stay and be uncomfortable when faced with an “attacking” baby. Teaching your pet to “go away” will help you control their movements, and will also teach them to walk away on their own accord. The trick is to teach them to express their anxiety by walking away rather than growling, hissing or snapping.

To teach the art of moving away, show them a treat, say “go away” and then toss the treat a few feet away. Repeat the sequence over and over, before delaying the actual throwing. Say “go away” and only once they move, throw the treat. Repeat this new sequence, being sure to give lots of praise with every step they take.

Bellamys_2b

Preparing your pet for lifestyle changes

While some pets cope with the changes of a new baby well, others can suffer extreme anxiety when their lifestyles are drastically altered. You can minimise this stress by getting them used to a more realistic lifestyle once your baby comes along. Try to predict how your schedule will change, and begin a slow transition toward that new schedule. This includes nap times, walk times, feeding times, and less attention. Life with a baby can be hectic and unpredictable, so keeping your pet’s routine flexible will help them on days when mealtimes are forgotten or delayed, or a walk doesn’t seem to come about.

If you are worried about your pet being active in the middle of the night when baby wakes, you may even consider rising at different times in the night and teaching them to quickly settle.

Resist the temptation to shower your pet with love just before the baby arrives, as this will only set them up for more disappointment once the reduced attention starts.

Preparing your pet for new sights, sounds and smells

For animals that haven’t spent much time with babies, they can seem like pretty peculiar creatures. Some animals may even be scared of a baby, which makes sense considering their loud screeching sounds, distinct newborn smell, strange movements and tiny size.

The sooner you can introduce an animal to baby-like sounds, smells, sights and movements, the better. Unwrap new baby supplies from their packaging and gradually add them to your home. Let them investigate them, but immediately distract them with one of their own toys. Start using baby’s lotions, shampoos and powders so that your pet associates the smells with someone familiar. You may also consider borrowing some old baby clothes from a friend too and placing them around your home.

To get them used to baby’s cries, consider purchasing a recording of a realistic baby’s cry and play it several times throughout the day in the weeks leading up to baby’s arrival. When you play the recording, give your pet plenty of attention and treats, then after five minutes turn the recording off and leave them alone for 30 minutes. Instead of fearing the sound, your pet will then come to associate baby’s cries with pleasure.

As for movement, a human crawl can be hugely intimidating for an animal. Get them used to this by crawling towards them and giving them a treat. Encourage others to join in the game too.

Bringing baby home

Many experts suggest having a neutral person bring your newborn into your home for the first time. You’ve likely been away from the home for some time, so this way you can give your pet the attention you normally would. Once settled, you can introduce the baby in a controlled way.

In the case of an active dog, it may help to have them on a leash for the first few introductions. Allow it to sniff and possibly lick baby’s foot, before pulling back gently. The main thing is to keep the interaction positive so a few treats to hand could be a good idea.

If there is any bad behaviour, cease the interaction immediately and try again later. Refrain from reacting negatively, as this will leave your pet feeling isolated, stressed and rejected when all they wanted was a little attention.

Reward your pet for appropriate behaviour whenever possible, and encourage a healthy relationship while observing at all times. And most importantly, never leave a newborn baby alone with your pet.

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Important Notice to Parents and Guardians

  • Breast milk is the best for babies. The World Health Organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life. Unnecessary introduction of bottle feeding or other food and drinks will have a negative impact on breastfeeding. After six months of age, infants should receive age-appropriate foods while breastfeeding continues for up to two years of age or beyond. Consult your doctor before deciding to use infant formula or if you have difficulty breastfeeding.
  • The content on this website is intended as general information for Singaporean residents only and should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice from your healthcare practitioner. According to recommendations from the Singapore Health Promotion Board, solid food should be given to babies only after 6 months.