Bringing a new baby home is a major life moment—and if you're already a dog parent, it's not just a shift for you… it's a big change for your fur baby too!

We chatted with a SlumberPod customer, and first-time mama to hear how she introduced her 4-year-old golden retriever, Kona, to her new baby boy, Hayden. The result? A sweet, slow, and intentional transition that led to the beginning of a beautiful friendship between pup and baby.

Here’s how she made it work:

🍼 Step 1: Get Your Dog Used to Baby Gear Early

In the months leading up to Hayden’s arrival, she let her golden retriever explore all the new baby gear—strollers, playmats, bouncers, and yes, even the SlumberPod setup.

“I took Kona on walks with the stroller before the baby was even here,” she told us. “That helped her get used to walking beside it without pulling or panicking.”

The earlier you start, the better! This creates familiarity before the big change begins.

🐶 Step 2: Do a Controlled Introduction

When it was finally time to bring Hayden home from the hospital, she didn’t rush things.

“First, we brought home a baby blanket that smelled like Hayden and let our dog sniff it,” she said. “That helped her connect the new scent to someone important.”

When the two finally met, she kept her pup on a leash and allowed him to observe the baby from a safe distance—calm, slow, and without distractions. No barking, no jumping—just curiosity and wagging tails.

👶 Step 3: Supervise Interactions and Set Boundaries

As adorable as their first few meetings were, safety always came first.

“We always supervise,” she said. “And we trained Kona early on to stay off the baby’s playmat and not touch the baby’s toys.”

To avoid any confusion or resource guarding, they also moved the dog’s toys and bones when the baby was near.

🎁 Step 4: Make Your Dog Feel Included

To avoid feelings of jealousy or being “replaced,” she made sure her dog still felt like part of the family.

“We bought her a new toy to give him when we brought Hayden home, and we made sure to keep doing walks and playtime with her—even if they were shorter.”

Involving your dog in family walks or even short one-on-one hangouts helps reinforce that they’re still loved and included.

💕 Step 5: Let the Bond Grow Naturally

Around 3 to 4 months old, Hayden began to really notice Kona—watching her, smiling, and reaching.

“It was like a switch flipped. Suddenly they were so aware of each other,” she laughed. “Now they’re starting to become little buddies.”

With time, patience, and a little planning, your dog and baby can build a bond that melts your heart.

💤 SlumberPod Tip:

If your dog sleeps in the same room as your baby, or you're worried about naps being disrupted by curious paws, SlumberPod creates a cozy, private sleep space that helps your little one snooze soundly—anytime, anywhere.

We loved hearing this mama’s story—and hope it gives you a roadmap (and a little confidence!) for your own dog-to-baby introductions.

Have you gone through this transition? Share your experience or tag us in your photos @SlumberPod—we’d love to see those first sniffs, tail wags, and sleepy cuddles.