Cat-Proofing A Crib

Cats have a natural curiosity about new things, your newborn baby is one of them. While there are few actual reports of domesticated cats harming babies (mostly urban legends), a cat does have claws and could hurt your baby if the cat lands on the baby in a crib. Cats crave warmth and could end up laying too close to your baby when sleeping and rob the baby of needed oxygen. Taking precautions, such as making the crib uncomfortable for the cat prior to bringing your baby home from the hospital, will ensure that your crib is cat-proofed.

  1. Make the Crib Uncomfortable

    • In the weeks prior to your baby's birth, set up the nursery and allow the cat to explore so that it gets used to the change. About four weeks before the birth, start making the crib a place that the cat doesn't want to go. Cut a piece of cardboard the same shape as the crib bed and place several lengths of double-sided tape on the surface of the cardboard and on the crib rails. If your cat jumps into the crib, it will immediately jump out because cats dislike sticky surfaces. After a few attempts, the cat will no longer jump into the crib. Placing thumb tacks underneath some of the tape strips may be necessary if tape alone doesn't work.

    Spray Citrus In and Around the Crib

    • As much as sticky surfaces, cats don't like the smell of citrus. Prior to bringing your baby home, mix lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice or any other citrus juice in a spray bottle with water. Lay a towel down on the crib (without the mattress inside -- place several towels folded up underneath to simulate the mattress being there) and spray the surface of the towel. If the cat jumps into the crib, it will smell the citrus smell and leave immediately. Spray some of the citrus mixture around the perimeter of the crib; you shouldn't have to worry about the cat getting near the crib.

    Install a Crib Net

    • Crib tents and crib nets are made of cotton netting, similar to mosquito netting. Attach a tent or net underneath the crib mattress and suspend it by a hook you install yourself on the ceiling. The tent allows for air circulation, a clear view of your baby and keeps flying and crawling insects away from your baby, in addition to cats. Crib tents prevent your baby from getting anything caught between the slats on the side of the crib.

    Closing the Door to the Nursery

    • This may seem like a simple answer, but it's also the most effective. If the door is closed, the cat can't enter the nursery and can't jump into the crib. Monitor your baby with a voice or video baby monitor. You can also replace the nursery's wooden door with a cottage-style screen door (metal on the bottom section and wire mesh on the top).