Dogs are said to be “man’s best friend,” and sometimes that friendship can start at the beginning, when both man and dog are young. It’s great to see that friendship develop between a baby and puppy. After all, they have more in common at that stage than ever!
It pretty much goes without saying that puppies and babies make for a winning combination of cuteness, and this duo is no exception.
Watch as this adorable puppy and just as adorable baby smother each other with love. They certainly are best friends in the making.
Kingston the Bulldog can’t seem to get enough of his little companion. He loves giving his little friend kisses, and the baby seems to be enjoying the slobber just as much. I couldn’t help but laugh along with this sweet pair.
This lucky mom not only captured this cute moment on film, but I get the feeling that most of her days are spent watching her baby and Kingston play. I know I could watch this for hours.
It reminded me of the puppy who cuddled up to take a nap with a newborn. I also love this video of the puppy pulling on the baby’s diaper. I can’t get enough!
You are looking at a picture of Sam (who is now nearly 3) while he was in the middle of eating his prunes around 7 months old. I know he is very messy! I hope that you have pictures of your babies covered in their food too (I actually have ones worse than this). But, I fear that many of you don’t. Are you a face scraper? Don’t want to mess up that cute little outfit? Hey, I know where you are coming from, as a classic type-A personality myself. Thank goodness my years as a therapist primed me for all the messy moments I have with my own kids now.
Recently, we were at a party and while I was feeding Isaac a friend with a baby close in age to Isaac walked by with his mouth opened and said, “Oh my gosh, You let him get messy like that? You let him feed himself?” Before I respond, I look back at Isaac and observe that he has his entire hand in the container of applesauce he is eating and that it is smeared on his ear and the side of his face. In his other hand, he has a noodle from the pasta salad, I had several on his tray. It is funny because I had just been looking at him, but I don’t even think about the mess, even at a party. Isaac was having a great time and was eating so well (something he doesn’t always do). He was taking that pudgy little hand with applesauce all over it and putting it in his mouth! I gave our friend a very watered down response to why you should let your baby get messy, he was in the middle of hosting his daughter’s birthday party. It got me thinking of all the friends and families I work with and how many times I have had this discussion. So, I thought it warranted a post, because it is very important to let your babies (and kids) get messy! Read on to find out why and how you can take baby steps into tolerating the mess (and hopefully embracing it). Let the food get on their hands, in their hair, and all over their face (and don’t make any disgusting faces while they are doing it). Here are four really good reasons why:
1. POWERFUL SENSORY PLAY
Meal times with babes are about more than eating. Besides learning all sorts of social and cultural norms, it is some of their first active sensory play. Think about it, you can’t put your 7 month old in the sand box or use finger paints because they will eat it. The tactile stimulation you get from playing in messy textures provides loads of meaningful information to the brain that children process and create more sophisticated responses to. Babies and children will actively seek these experiences out as part of curiosity, discovery, exploration, and the drive to experience sensory input.
2. LEARNING HOW TO SELF FEED
When babies get their hands messy in the baby food, it will eventually dawn on them that when they put their fingers in their mouth they get some food. A light bulb will go off, “Hey, I can feed myself”. It will likely be months before they are spoon feeding themselves, but those early tastes from their own fingers will set the groundwork for this skill and they will likely accomplish it much sooner! If your baby is getting messy and not putting their hand up to their mouth when it’s covered in dinner, take your hand and show them how.
3. PREVENTING TACTILE DEFENSIVENESS
When kids aren’t exposed to different textures, they can become sensitive to new or different textures over time. If you keep your baby very clean during meals, they may reach a point when getting messy feels uncomfortable because it such a foreign sensation to them. This is not to say that all tactile defensiveness is taught, mostly it is not. Kids that are born tactile defensive will show signs early on as a baby. The constant wiping with a spoon or napkin to keep the baby clean can actually be more uncomfortable for them.
4. MAKING IT POSITIVE
If you have been following this blog then you know how much importance I place on keeping mealtimes positive (check out my series on this here, here, and here). Letting babies get messy keeps a more laid back flow to the whole meal and thus is more positive. If you are fighting with your baby so they don’t grab the spoon or trying to pin them down to wipe their face off after each bite, meal time might not be so positive for baby.
If you wipe your baby’s face constantly or don’t let them help feed themselves, you are depriving them of a wonderful learning and sensory experience. Sorry, I know that sounds harsh. The good news is that it’s not too late to let them start to get messy. As they creep into life as a toddler, you do have start teaching table manners and it may not be a great idea to let them squeeze and slop their food around just for the sake of playing. But, if they are getting messy just from the act of eating than let it go and while they are younger toddlers a little of the messy play is ok as long as it isn’t too distracting. If you notice your toddler is trying to play with their food a lot, provide them with opportunities to finger paint and play in various sensory bins.
Try to Avoid:
Taking the spoon and scraping the food that has dribbled out off your babies face. This can be so uncomfortable or irritating. Let the mess be!Wiping tray off frequently. If some mess slops on the tray let it go unless it is interfering with finger feeding. Letting babies slop the mess around with their hands is wonderful sensory play!Wiping hands or face with a napkin throughout the meal. They are washable! Repeat after me, “It is ok if sweet potatoes are in their hair and behind their ears, it is ok.”
Do This:
Allow your baby or toddler to get messy as long as it doesn’t interfere with their ability to see (they wipe their eyes with a messy hand) or feed themselves.Wait to the end of the meal to clean up. If your baby doesn’t like getting cleaned, try to take them away from the high chair so they have the positive association from the meal not the getting cleaned up part.Consider giving the baby their bath after a particularly messy meal. Most babies love bath time, and it is often the easiest way to get them clean. Was that a good sales pitch? Did I win over any other neat freaks type-A’s (like myself) that want their kids to be clean? If I can do it, so can you! Embrace the mess!
Is there anything more adorable than a perfect newborn baby in a loving embrace with man’s best friend? And there’s no denying that the larger the dog, the more love to give.Get ready for a cute overload. Check out the gallery below of some of the world’s largest dog breeds cuddling with the cutest babies ever.
Introducing dogs and babies properly means your puppy and baby can become great friends. Dogs with babies have positive benefits besides furry love. New studies show that infants that grow up with pets have a much less chance of developing allergies to dogs as they grow up. But clueless pups—and active infants—also have the potential to terrorize or hurt one another. When you expect a new baby (or a visiting infant, perhaps a new grandchild over the Christmas holidays?), prepare your puppy in advance to make sure interactions stay happy.
Why Puppies Like (And Fear) Babies
Most pups are curious about infants because they have so many interesting smells—milk, baby food, poop, what’s not to love?
Confident adult dogs often are very tolerant of babies because they recognize that they’re not grown up.But clueless puppies have no experience with infants or toddlers, which can prove scary if they chase your pet, pull his tail, and make weird high-pitched noises. Babies that crawl may mimic prey behavior in their sounds and actions. Wary pooches may switch into play-aggression or become defensive and try to drive away the scary creature with growls orbites. Neither option is good.
Children also are on the puppy’s level where all of his most prized possessions are at risk. Your new baby won’t know any better than to play with dog toys, climb into the puppy bed or explore the food bowl. It’s a natural behavior for dogs to protect such things, and react with aggression when your infant doesn’t understand the pup’s clearly communicated growls or other body warnings.
Before Baby Comes Home
Expectant moms have nine months to prepare before the infant comes home. Planning ahead of time ensures that new routines, furniture and even some of the smells become familiar to your dogs by the time the baby arrives.
Here are ways to help your puppy accept the coming changes.
Let Puppies Explore. Allow your pets to investigate the redecorated nursery. This is especially true if the pup previously had free access to the room, because banning your puppy may cause behavior issues when they’re left out. Think about puppy-proofing the room so baby toys as well as the diaper pail is out of dog-munching range.
Manage Access. Install a baby gate in the doorway so your pet can see into the room and be a part of the joy but is kept out when you can’t supervise his actions.
Practice Crying. Fussy babies sound similar to prey so it can be upsetting for some dogs to hear this. Record infant cries and play back to your pup to acclimate him to the sounds. Your puppy may ignore the sound or act curious, and reward either behavior with calm praise.
Offer Positive Associations. Give the puppy special treats when he acts in a calm way near the baby’s areas.
Dab On Baby Smells. Begin wearing baby powder or lotion weeks in advance so your pup associates the scent with a beloved and safe human he already knows.
Adjust Your Schedule. A new baby throws routine out the window. Prepare your pup so he’s already adjusted to the new timeline, and be sure to include special DOG TIME so he won’t feel totally neglected. While you’re understandably happy, excited (and exhausted!) with a new baby in the house, excluding pets from your joy only confuses them at best.
Give An Advance Sniff. When the baby finally arrives, bring home something scented with the infant so that your pup has an advance introduction. Bring home a tee shirt or baby blanket.
“Sock” Your Dogs. No, I don’t mean to hit the puppy. But for nervous pups that might act fearful, use a bit of the Comfort Zone with DAP and spritz on baby socks. That way the footwear contains the canine “no fear” pheromones that helps keep puppies calm. Then have the baby wear the socks, and voila! Your baby now smells like something safe so your dog more readily recognizes the infant as a safe and acceptable member of the household.
Introducing Dogs and Babies
When you bring home the baby, treat the event in a matter-of-fact manner, and don't make a big deal of the introduction (even though it's momentous, of course!). You want your puppy to understand this is a normal, expected part of his life.
Act Normal. Don't force the introduction. But if he acts interested allow the pup to sniff the baby's foot, perhaps with that scented sock. If you have more than one dog and they get too excited, allow the toe-sniff only one dog at a time so you aren’t overwhelmed. By allowing a puppy to actually look at, smell, and touch that creature that's so very different, he'll understand there's nothing to fear.
Give Ownership. Try referring to the child as “Rex’s baby.” Yes, it sounds silly, but just saying the words changes your attitude which can be comforting and calming to your pets.
Reward Calm Confidence. Praise pups when they behave well, and ignore shy or fearful behavior.
Associate Good Things. Puppies quickly learn to associate the baby with what’s important to them. So if you ignore or yell at the puppy when the infant is near, the baby will acquire negative associations. Figure out what your pup loves and link it to the baby’s presence. Maybe you can toss treats or play with a favorite toy when the baby naps on your lap, for instance.
By following these tips, you create a safe and happy environment for both your puppy and the new baby to grow up together as friends, perhaps even best buddies. Of course, you should never leave even friendly dogs alone unsupervised with your baby. Accidents happen in the blink of an eye. If you have visiting youngsters who are older, follow these tips for introducing puppies to toddlers and older children.
What could be cuter than babies and puppies in tutus?
Fairies and Feathers’ fairy tutu skirt and headband set can fit babies from 10 lbs – 35lbs (approximately newborn – 3 years old). The headband and skirt come with detachable flower clips that can also be worn separately. Our baby sized fairy wings look terrific with this set and are perfect for baby pictures.Our fairy tutu skirt and headband set also looks adorable on puppies and small dogs up to 35lbs. Wait and see all of the attention your dog attracts when wearing a doggie fairy tutu! Our baby wings will work on puppies too!All of our baby and puppy skirt sets are customizable for any color combination that you request. Prices start at $25 for the skirt and headband set.
If you don’t like babies and puppies, well, then we think you need to check your ticker and make sure it’s working.There is really nothing cuter and when you put the two together — MAGIC! That’s what this video documenting Eisleigh and Clyde’s first year together is like — pure magic! So, stop whatever you’re doing and give yourself some smile sauce by clicking that play button.
Here, at AFV, we know all about the perfection that is babies and doggies. Check out this compilation full of adorable besties. Think you have a cute baby and doggy moment we should see?
Put your newborn infant in the same room with a puppy and you’re likely to get hours of entertainment out of this particular combination. The same goes for the duo above, Dilan (the boy) and Farley (the French bulldog), who apparently do everything together and likely think they’re brothers.
DON’T MISS: OnePlus 2 hands-on: It’s everything you’ve dreamt of… and so much more According to Bored Panda, 25-year-old Ivette Ivens got the dog when she discovered he had the same birthday as her son, and the two hit it off immediately. Farley has been with the family for five months and has been following Dilan around ever since. “I’m pretty sure Dilan thinks they’re both the same species, as they walk at the same level and are both going through the stage of chewing on everything,” she said. “It’s honestly the most loving connection – pure, unconditional, irreplaceable and inseparable” “My little Dilan is a chilled-out baby and he’s always happy, but for some reason Farley really cracks him up. I love seeing them together,” Ivens added. “He cleans up Dilan’s mess after he eats, and always licks Dilan’s neck if he is crying, so he starts laughing out loud” More pictures showing the adorable playmates in all sorts of instances follow below, with even more photos available at the source links.
Baby and French bulldog pup are inseparable as they eat, sleep and bathe together
