I have a small issue with my kitties. They tend to like to wake me up at 2 am and 4 am. I get a head butt and licks on the eyelids. I've tried wearing them out with playing, but it hasn't worked. I need my sleep! Would I be a bad mommy if I closed my door at night and didn't let them sleep with me? I love my babies so much, but how do I get them to sleep through the night or get it so they don't wake me up?
Other than that, life has been great with the new babies.
New Mom help needed
I have a lot of trouble with insomnia so I close my door at night and get a much better sleep. My sweet little Angel has a soft bed downstairs plus a kitty bed in the bedroom next to mine on a twin bed..it is her bedroom.
Not only has she accepted this, but when I wanted to snuggle with her in the morning it took a while for her to come into my bedroom. She gets a lot of love and petting and attention all day and now in the morning when I open my door and call her she comes up on my bed to say good morning. I felt guilty at first, but do not now. Setting limits for your pet is part of being a good "mom". Do what you have to do to balance your needs with your pets and everyone will be a lot happier.
Would love to see pics of your sweeties!
PS. Usually at night Angel is right next to me on the couch watching TV, but sometimes she goes upstairs to her room to take a nap alone. So animals need time alone, too. Home this helps and is just mho.
Not only has she accepted this, but when I wanted to snuggle with her in the morning it took a while for her to come into my bedroom. She gets a lot of love and petting and attention all day and now in the morning when I open my door and call her she comes up on my bed to say good morning. I felt guilty at first, but do not now. Setting limits for your pet is part of being a good "mom". Do what you have to do to balance your needs with your pets and everyone will be a lot happier.
Would love to see pics of your sweeties!
PS. Usually at night Angel is right next to me on the couch watching TV, but sometimes she goes upstairs to her room to take a nap alone. So animals need time alone, too. Home this helps and is just mho.
Re: New Mom help needed
The only thing that works for me is having a playtime session before I go to bed (not only is this good for them, but me too). This does tend to tire them enough they are ready to nap.
Another thing, is don't feed them directly before YOU go to bed, since food will provide energy for them and they'll need to expend that energy by playing, getting rambunctious, etc. Try feeding them around the same time YOU eat, after work, or early eve, etc.
Lastly, this also works for me but may or may not work for you. I do let the cats play in the bedroom while I've already gotten ready for bed. I just prepare for an extra half hour or so before they are done playing and ready for napping. Which, they seem to love, since they get to snuggle with mommy as well as share the bed.
On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with keeping them out of your bedroom at night, as long as you provide them a warm, cozy bed elsewhere or other sleeping area for them at night.
Remember, they are still kittens and need to expend energy, so it's possible they will grow out of the "alarm-clock" stage eventually. Play it by ear and see how it goes.
Another thing, is don't feed them directly before YOU go to bed, since food will provide energy for them and they'll need to expend that energy by playing, getting rambunctious, etc. Try feeding them around the same time YOU eat, after work, or early eve, etc.
Lastly, this also works for me but may or may not work for you. I do let the cats play in the bedroom while I've already gotten ready for bed. I just prepare for an extra half hour or so before they are done playing and ready for napping. Which, they seem to love, since they get to snuggle with mommy as well as share the bed.
On the other hand, there's nothing wrong with keeping them out of your bedroom at night, as long as you provide them a warm, cozy bed elsewhere or other sleeping area for them at night.
Remember, they are still kittens and need to expend energy, so it's possible they will grow out of the "alarm-clock" stage eventually. Play it by ear and see how it goes.
..........Traci
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mnwhiterose
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:20 pm
Re: New Mom help needed
You guys are wonderful. I usually feed them when I get home, but I do leave them out a bowl of food to munch on throughout the day since they do need the energy being kittens. But, I give them a treat before I go to bed. We are working on tricks. They are very smart and now know to sit before I give them their food.
I do need to take more pictures of them. They have gotten so big. Well, Huggy has, but Starsky has started to grow into his ears. Thank you, guys.
I do need to take more pictures of them. They have gotten so big. Well, Huggy has, but Starsky has started to grow into his ears. Thank you, guys.
Re: New Mom help needed
Yes, with kittens, free-feeding is acceptable, since they require and expend energy. However, you can still try a playtime session near the time you're about ready to get for bed. Try to choose toys or activity that require reaching, stretching, trotting, etc but don't overdo it, don't let them get exhausted!
If you can, try to keep the routine consistent. As they mature, they will probably be a little less active at night and will probably appreciate sleeping with you at night and may sleep longer throughout the night.
Just so you know, this is a common problem with most all kittens and cats. We humans see it as problematic because they are automatic alarm-clocks when we don't want them to be, but THEY don't know that. They only know they want you to get up and feed them, give them attention, accomodate their every wish
You've heard the expression, dogs do what you tell them to do. Cats do as they wish.
If you can, try to keep the routine consistent. As they mature, they will probably be a little less active at night and will probably appreciate sleeping with you at night and may sleep longer throughout the night.
Just so you know, this is a common problem with most all kittens and cats. We humans see it as problematic because they are automatic alarm-clocks when we don't want them to be, but THEY don't know that. They only know they want you to get up and feed them, give them attention, accomodate their every wish
You've heard the expression, dogs do what you tell them to do. Cats do as they wish.
..........Traci
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mnwhiterose
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2009 5:20 pm
Re: New Mom help needed
that is very true. Huggy will headbutt me, then start licking my eyelids if I don't acknowledge him right away. No matter that I was in the middle of a very good dream.
I did keep the door closed last night, and with the exception of a couple scratches at the door, they were too traumatized.
Here are a couple pics of them:
Huggy Bear
Starsky
I did keep the door closed last night, and with the exception of a couple scratches at the door, they were too traumatized.
Here are a couple pics of them:
Huggy Bear
Starsky
Re: New Mom help needed
Very pretty kitties!!!
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: New Mom help needed
They are so cute...I remember...Starsky looks like my Angel.
I bet they put on a circus for you when they play.
I bet they put on a circus for you when they play.
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Tina B and crew
- Posts: 2536
- Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2003 9:48 am
- Location: Virginia
Re: New Mom help needed
The are adorable! I'm glad you were able to resolve the sleeping issue. Willow sleeps with me and I wouldn't have it any other way but she's always been great about not getting up until she hears me stir. For that I am eternally grateful!
Tina B and "what a crew!"
How we behave towards cats here below determines our status in heaven ~Robert A. Heinlein
How we behave towards cats here below determines our status in heaven ~Robert A. Heinlein