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As you guys know we have two great WB Caiques, Sparky and Mika. They are a blast; fully flighted with the run of most of the house and more toys than they know what to do with. But, since we don't have enough mayhem in our lives we will be adding a new baby to the house soon, human this time! My due date is mid-May give or take a few weeks. So far the birds have been handling the preparations well. I think Sparky is convinced that I'm laying an enormous egg and it is somehow his doing . Anybody have any experience or suggestions for introducing a new baby to a house with caiques?

First of all..CONGRATS!!! How exciting!!
I have no experience with introducing caiques to babies. I can imagine that Sparky and Mika will be VERY curious as to what the new "thing" is in the house! I can see them picking up the pacifiers and running away with them! LOL I'd imagine them being VERY curious. Perhaps starting off slow...change a diaper with them sitting on your shoulders. Keep them involved as possible and see how they take it! Good luck Mommy-to-be!! We want pictures!!

Congratulations! That's so exciting!

Well, I know that when people want to introduce a new baby into a household with dogs, they go about it in a certain way. The common advice for doing that is to set everything up for the baby as far in advance as possible, letting the pets adjust to all of that and letting them see it. Another tip for that is to have a toy baby and carry that around at home ahead of the real baby's arrival so that there will be less of a shock when he/she arrives. I don't know about with birds though.
Maybe just showing them all the new things as they arrive and including them in the preparations as much as possible would be a good idea? For instance, having them in viewing distance as you're setting up the crib or decorating the room...

Thanks for the replies! We are letting the birds see most the stuff as it comes in. They are not sure about it. We have a cradle in the living room now and I don't think either one has ventured anywhere near it. For the first few days they were very careful to get past it as quick as possible, but seem to have decided to just ignore it. Michelle, I can definitely see them running off with baby toys! And the baby wanting to play with the bird toys. We're trying to make sure that all the baby stuff is bird safe, too, and vice versa as much as possible. The times I'm most worried about are bathing the baby and diaper changes. Sparky gets so worked up whenever we clean anything and shredded dirty diaper may be my worst nightmare. We have one of those diaper genie things so it may just be a matter of getting them into that quickly. The other time I can see being a problem is feeding the baby. I think Mika will be fine but Sparky always want to be the center of my attention and is infinitely curious about anything food related. Maybe I'll have to get him his own bottle! Anyway, I'm sure it will be an adventure and I'll let you guys know how it goes!

Sandy, I know this is a bird forum, but how could you keep such a wonderful secret? Now, boy or girl? Names?

I would also suggest putting a doll in the crib with a cassette of a cryng baby. It might help with bird screaming when the blessed arrival gets here for real. You could also practice changing and feeding the doll so your caiques can explore the doll and not the baby. It couldn't hurt to put some bottles and baby toys out now, too.

Cathy wrote:I know this is a bird forum, but how could you keep such a wonderful secret? Now, boy or girl? Names?

Not really a secret just kinda busy: All the preparation, doctors visits, still working and of course playing with the birdies! All of which are more fun and interesting than thinking about how uncomfortable I am now and how tired I'm going to be.

Anyway, to answer your questions:

1) Boy
2) Haven't got a clue what to call him. We've got a long list of possible names and a longer list of ones we definitely don't want to use but nothing is really jumping out at us.

The tape sounds like a good idea. I have the feeling we will end up with crying in triplicate, one baby and two birds or the birds will sound an alarm to let me know the baby is fussing. Who needs a baby monitor! I thought about the doll but I don't think they would see it as even close to the same thing. They have been very good with my friend's son, who just turned 2. They met him the first time when he was an infant. I don't think we'll have too much trouble with them wanting to explore the baby, at least at first. After they get used to him it might be different.

oooh a boy!!! Congrats!! I'm sure all will be fine with the new baby and birdies!!

congratulations! how exciting, don't really have anything to add, just that it's great to hear good news! i have seen pictures of caiques who get along quite well with younger children.