Preparing Kiwi for the baby

[Kiwibird]

Since it’s already September (!) and our baby is due at the end of the year, it’s probably a good time to start really thinking about what steps we should be taking to prepare Kiwi. Thankfully, he’s a pretty hands off bird so I don’t expect there to be much in the way of jealousy issues over us holding the baby more than him or anything. He doesn’t want to be petted and held anyways, so as long as I make a (safe) spot for him in the baby’s room to hang out while I’m in there, I think he’ll be good. I’ve been setting him on the crib and getting him used to the idea and that he’s welcome in that space too. I mean, I grew up with parrots, they sat on my crib and checked me out when I was a baby, I have no concerns about letting Kiwi do the same. I’ve also had him ride in the back seat of the car a few times, as that’s where he’ll go once the baby comes because my car is so small it barely fits a car seat and he’s going to have to ride in the back with the baby so I can get the baby in and out (2 door car).

I guess I’m just not really sure what else I should/can do? I mean, he’s a bird. It’s not like we can explain to him what’s going on but I know he senses something is up

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I didn't realize you are with child April! That is wonderful news!

Smokey was with Debbie and I about six months before our son James was born. ( James is now 32y.o. ). The whole situation was totally new to everyone lol. A new bird..a baby.. and it was a new situation for Smokes..new house..new family..and a little human lol. But it worked out well. We introduced Smokerz to James' room and his "stuff"...crib,changing table..TOYS! lol.
When James was born we'd let Smokey sit on a rung on his crib as we fed and changed and played with our boy. Smokey would help herself to James' toy,often playing with/banging around his mobile:21:
On more than one occasion we'd find Smokey either perched on a rung or even on TOP of his mobile as it slowly turned and made soft music lol. From time to time she'd even quietly "woo" at him! She was like his "watchbirdie".
Debs and I divorced when James was three but when I had James on weekends or whenever,Smokey knew exactly who he was. As James grew Smokey gave him "special" attention by banging her beak on his forehead,pulling his hair,'gurging on him and woo'ing at him. She'd even call out "JAMES!!" whenever he came to visit,even before she flew off to Rainbow Bridge :02:

Congrats April to you and hubby (and Mr Kiwi) on your soon-to-be new family member I think Kiwi is going to love it!! ( a boy??..girl???)


Jim

 

[Scott]

"No plan survives the fog of war." You are probably as prepared as possible and sufficiently nimble to manage any outcome. Has Kiwi been in the presence of infants and/or young children? If not, might be helpful to condition him if feasible.

 

[SailBoat]

"No plan survives the fog of war."

How does one follow the clarity of Scott's statement!!!
One really really important thing, and I'm sure you have already considered it: Kiwi changes from being the Center of the World to Not!!! We all be equal Family Members is something that can easily fall too the side.

Regarding knowing the gender of the baby! I fully believe that keeping that within your family is proper. But, for Kiwi, if you know and have selected a name. Use the baby's name as much as possible, examples: This is, or lets go to (name's) room. This is (name's) crib, etc, etc, etc... Kiwi will connect things quicker and will have already learned the babies name. It is especially (IMHO) important in the last couple of months before the arrival.

The car and the baby seat. Why am I guessing that you already have the baby seat? Anyway, with Kiwi in his new location, go through the normal fight of setting the seat in place. This will allow Kiwi to adjust to the seat and the issues of the process of putting it in and removing it.

The car and the rear view mirror. Commonly, individuals adjust the rear view mirror (interior) to allow them to see the baby in the back. Those with Parrots in the back set the mirror to be able to see their Parrot AND just as importantly, the Parrot is able to see them. Most Big Box Auto Stores have oversized or multi-view rear view mirrors that either replace or mounts on the existing mirror. This allows Kiwi to continue to connect with you during drives. FYI: You will likely want to remove this type of mirror while driving at night!

Enjoy!!!

- Oh, in those moments in which everything goes wrong! Just remember to breath deep and repeat: "This Too Shall PASS"!

 

[Shine]

Congratulations on the little one on the way!

 

[Scott]

One really really important thing, and I'm sure you have already considered it: Kiwi changes from being the Center of the World to Not!!! We all be equal Family Members is something that can easily fall too the side.

Oh, in those moments in which everything goes wrong! Just remember to breath deep and repeat: "This Too Shall PASS"!

Perhaps the most insightful advice, Steven!!

 

[Laurasea]

One of my friends got a baby doll, and play acted in front if the pets... I'm sure they could tell it was not a live baby, but she wanted them to see her giving it attention caring for it, and not letting them near it... She has the real baby now, reports some jealousy, but thinks the acting helped
So excited for you

 

[Kiwibird]

We’ve left the baby’s gender a surprise and we plan to wait to decide a name until it’s born because it feels a little weird to give someone a name without even seeing them first. We haven’t even really narrowed down our possible name lists yet lol. I have been telling Kiwi “this is the baby’s room, this is where the baby will sleep etc...”. He knows something is going on in there because he’s been in there while we’ve been setting stuff up. Maybe once the baby is here, I can transition that to “this is baby (name), this is baby (names) crib” or whatever for him. And yes, I do have the car seat, and just about everything else baby will need at this point. I don’t have anyone to throw me a baby shower so we’ve kind of been on our own getting everything.

Have to laugh at the doll idea. We got the baby a stuffed blue front. We have been petting it in front of him because he would never let us pet him. He gives the evil eye when we pet the other blue front. Im curious his reaction to a baby doll. I actually have been looking for a realistically sized doll or baby sized teddy bear or something. I am 100% baby inexperienced and so is my husband. We kinda need something to practice putting diapers on because neither one of us has ever changed a diaper before:27: Kiwi also hasn’t ever spent significant amounts of time around kids/babies (that we know of), but the times he has been around them, he really hams it up and puts on a show. He seems to like small humans. We don’t know anyone else with kids though he could spend extra time with. Most of our friends and family our age don’t ever want kids and my cousins are all older then me and have teenage/adult children.