New grand baby and my two orange winged amazons

[gremikbroof2amazons]

Ok i am a new grandpa and with a beautiful granddaughter and now i have to decide whether to keep my birds that i have invested time and money in and never get to see my granddaughter .. or sell them and get to see her all the time due to the fact some one told my daughter that birds have diseases that can kill infants and then see went to her pediatrician and then she told her that in fact they do and can kill infants and that the house must be cleaned thoroughly and not to have the baby around birds for 2 yrs till her immunity is built up ... i at that just laughed .. now i have only had my zons for about 2 yrs now but i have read alot about it and i know about the poop and i keep the cage clean and the birds have been to the vets and have come back with clean bill of health ... i am at a loss for words as i do not want to get rid of them , but i do want to see my granddaughter at my house and watch her grow up .. any help to figure a way to have my cake and eat would be great.

 

[Mekaisto]

I've never heard of birds being bad for babies, but I don't have much experience with babies so who knows.

Would it be possible to keep a room(s) in your house 'bird free' and clean, for when baby visits?

 

[Kiwibird]

Yes, parrots can carry diseases that can be transferable to humans, and would likely cause a much more severe illness in babies due to an undeveloped immune system. That doesn't mean you need to get rid of your birds! A simple trip to an avian vet for a full work up can easily rule out any communicable diseases and/or get them on treatment. However, diseases birds carry tend to kill them rather quickly (or at least symptoms show up quickly). If you've had these birds for any period of time and they are healthy birds, the likelihood they are harboring anything is VERY VERY low. If it eases your daughters mind though, take them to an avian vet and remove all doubt.

P.S. I grew up with parrots. One used to sit on my CRIB all day long from the time I was a few DAYS old (a double yellow headed amazon). Lots of kids grow up with them with no issues. Your daughter sounds like a nervous new mom

Heres one to show your daughter:

I think it goes without saying that not every parrot likes babies and may not be safe to leave on their crib, but my moms amazon wouldn't take no for an answer and looked after me like I was HER baby I'm going on 27 now and I grew up loving parrots so much, I adopted my own. My children will be raised around him, and will see my parents 3 birds on visits.

 

[gremikbroof2amazons]

the whole house is sterilized and my wife has OCD about the house being cleaned and the cage is cleaned once a week by taking it out side and cleaned .. so it not about the house it has to do with the disease bird can give to infants and my daughter has been brainwashed by her pediatrician and i have given her info about birds and she had two eclectus parrots and she knows about them and one of them ate out off her plate at dinner time . yet she has forgot about that and i am not sure if anything i can do to change it

 

[RavensGryf]

My first reaction is to think that those people don't like birds and think of them as 'dirty vermin' and think of illnesses wild outdoor birds might be able to transmit? Then maybe are they talking about a type of hypersensitivity pneumonitis commonly called Birdkeeper's Lung? That's pretty common even if you keep surroundings clean. I wonder at times if I even have a mild case.

I really don't know though, as I am not a pediatrician. You've got to think though, that millions of babies around the world are raised with birds in the home and don't contract any illness or die from being around birds.

Is your daughter worried about it to the point that she is pressuring you to get rid of the birds, or not wanting you to see the baby if you own birds?

 

[akrrm]

What a nightmare for you. I have never heard of that and I can't believe it's true.

My grandson is 2 1/2 and I have been watching him since he was two months old and he is perfectly fine.

 

[Kiwibird]

the whole house is sterilized and my wife has OCD about the house being cleaned and the cage is cleaned once a week by taking it out side and cleaned .. so it not about the house it has to do with the disease bird can give to infants and my daughter has been brainwashed by her pediatrician and i have given her info about birds and she had two eclectus parrots and she knows about them and one of them ate out off her plate at dinner time . yet she has forgot about that and i am not sure if anything i can do to change it

To me, it sounds like theres more going on here beyond bad information from a clueless pediatrician and the birds are just an excuse. I can't even begin to guess what that might be, but something sounds very off. I mean, I don't like dogs very much, find them way to dirty to be indoor pets and would never allow one in MY home, but when I have kids I wouldn't ever NOT visit my mother in law house with them just because she has a bunch of dogs. It doesn't make sense.

 

[Allee]

Ok i am a new grandpa and with a beautiful granddaughter and now i have to decide whether to keep my birds that i have invested time and money in and never get to see my granddaughter .. or sell them and get to see her all the time due to the fact some one told my daughter that birds have diseases that can kill infants and then see went to her pediatrician and then she told her that in fact they do and can kill infants and that the house must be cleaned thoroughly and not to have the baby around birds for 2 yrs till her immunity is built up ... i at that just laughed .. now i have only had my zons for about 2 yrs now but i have read alot about it and i know about the poop and i keep the cage clean and the birds have been to the vets and have come back with clean bill of health ... i am at a loss for words as i do not want to get rid of them , but i do want to see my granddaughter at my house and watch her grow up .. any help to figure a way to have my cake and eat would be great.

Congratulations, your baby granddaughter is beautiful, you must be delighted.

I really don't see why you can't have your birds and have your grandchild visit.
Would your daughter be willing to ask the pediatrician to be more specific, if you had a list of dangerous diseases that could possibly be transmitted to a baby with an undeveloped immune system it would be far easier to rule them out. Of course it would be awful to expose your granddaughter to anything that could harm her but I think with normal precautions and common sense the possibility would be very slim.

 

[Mimsy01]

I believe there is someone on the board that has a child with auto immune deficiency that requires extra precautions in everyday life-such as going to big human gatherings and such. She has birds however.

All animals can carry certain things that can be passed to humans. However, the most dangerous thing to humans, is other humans since all their virus's and such can be passed, but we would probably be considered pretty paranoid with a normal baby to keep them from seeing all humans. Most of us will just take precautions and try not to expose a baby to sick humans.

Birds only carry a handful of things that can be passed to humans and you can have those tested at a veterinarian office if you feel your birds may be ill or even to just eliminate the possibility.

Congrats on the grandchild!

 

[SilverSage]

I agree with Allee. Ask the doctor (yourself if you have to) for the name of the illness. The. Research it with the parents. Get your bird tested for it. Show the parents there is nothing to fear, do your best to reason with them and make everything clear and comfortable. If they cannot calm down, see if they will allow you to visit their house more often rather than having the baby visit you.

If not, you have to make a choice. If it were me, that choice would be my granddaughter over my pets, but not everyone feels that way.

 

[Newbsi]

Congratulations on your grand daughter. I have never heard of birds being a health risk, unless they are sick. You said you have had them for two years, they would have shown signs of sickness by now AND a vet visit gave them a clean bill of health. It really makes me angry the pediatrician would say that! Can you imagine a doctor telling parents to get rid of their dogs or cats? They can harbor more diseases and bacteria than companion birds! Ridiculous! I am so sorry you are in that position. How frustrating

 

[gremikbroof2amazons]

after reading everyone reply, i must state that the baby is in prefect health and doesnt have any problems at all .. ,,and we have great communication between us . i have talked to her more and i am going to visit with her doctor and get my vet to talk with her so we can all be informed together and hope that works out ...

 

[SailBoat]

As a first time 'Grandfather' dealing with a daughter with a serious case of 'New Mother's' Disease and amped-up by an activist Pediatrician, this has got to be a real mind twister for you.

Both of Kiwibird postings (as normal) are spot-on. Read both over and over until you become comfortable with the reality that the real world is still there and the ground below you is still stable.

When you become a 'great' grandfather (or likely quicker - a second grandfather) and the kids are dropped-off with full diapers and little else, you can recall this moment and see the humor of it all. I saw it with my daughter's second child.

Where to start:
First: 'New Mother's' Disease commonly ends shortly after diaper changes become smelly and commonly occur multiple times at the wee hours of the night or a little later when there is a need for a 'free baby-setter.'
Second: As mind twisted as you are, your life mate, that loving woman that you where 'lucky enough' to get her to marry you, has to being really feeling the pain of all of this. Hold her close and tell her you love her more than life itself.
Third: Set-up a visit to your Avian Vet and get a full screen chemical blood and stool tests, which would be required if you where going to take your Amazons to Europe. Have the Lab and your Vet sign the document set as would be needed for that level of travel. There is no reason to share with the Vet that you are not going to Europe. However, telling your Vet the real reason you are getting the documents will get you a load of real world information if you choose to pass this along to your daughter or worst her activist pediatrician. This is really for your peace of mind.
Forth: I going to guess that you and your dear wife have not been anywhere lately. Time to travel (multiple long weekends will work). Money can be a problem, but I would guess that you have friends and family with second homes or first homes that you can visit. When they hear why, nearly all will open their homes or second homes to you and yours. Also, most will be open to your Amazons. Most people will be willing to have your wife, since like my wife, she will clear their home spotless every day you are there.
Fifth: Stop answering your phone when your daughter calls. Let it go to voice mail. Call an hour later or the next day. Allow the both of you to off-load the stress that is being dumped on you. Keep reminding yourselves that; 'This to shall pass!'
Sixth: When you talk to your daughter, 'Tell her that you 'Love Her' you have always loved her and always will. Tell her that you and 'her loving mother' need a little time to understand what she is requesting and need a little time to sort it all out. She will likely understand since in her mind you are both really old and slow. Generally, they figure out fairly quickly that she/they need the both of you ASAP. Sometimes, you will need to just keep repeating the above. Avoid addressing her demand. Let time work in your favor. Never raise your voice, never speak down to her, never stop loving her.

You will likely have two or three months of 'pure hell' in front of you. But there is a sunny day coming.

Kiwibird touch of something that has also bother me - the possibility of something deeper going-on. This forum is no place to take on those topics. But, consider seeking-out a professional (faith or ...) if this builds. Your going to need to talk with a trusted third party to keep you grounded.

Please do not give-up your Amazons, both of you are going to need them in the days and weeks to come. Once again, hold your loving wife often. The two of you have climbed mountains before - that love was all you needed then and the same is true now.

FYI: Remember that the human month is consider a sewer, a source of untold ugly. Yes, there are multiple meanings.

 

[Allee]

after reading everyone reply, i must state that the baby is in prefect health and doesnt have any problems at all .. ,,and we have great communication between us . i have talked to her more and i am going to visit with her doctor and get my vet to talk with her so we can all be informed together and hope that works out ...

That sounds like an excellent plan! I hope it works out so you can keep your parrots and visit your darling granddaughter and have her visit you as often as you'd like. I'm sure your daughter wants this to work out as much as you do. Enjoy your precious new family member.

 

[OOwl]

I have two new grand babies but when my kids and their spouses expressed concern about my birds (and they did), I merely produced my health record on my birds showing they were negative for psittacosis, the main zoonotic disease parrots can pass to people. In my opinion, all parrots should be tested for that anyway when we have them join our flock. It's the responsible thing to do, especially when we have them around others (our friends and family and other birds).

That was the end of that conversation. That logical proof that they didn't carry that was all it took to settle their nerves. In time, they relaxed and actually smile when my now 18-month-old grandson hands my cockatoo and Grey a very special treat that they ONLY get from him. It's the FIRST thing he does when he walks through the door, which is often. The birds have grown to love him since he's the only one with the Honey Roasted Cashews. ;-)

Hoping this is just a case of overprotective new parents (and they do relax and calm down in a few months).

 

[Doublete]

I love everything sailboat said.

I'm not a grandma or even a mom. I'm just grateful my mom treated me like she did and allowed me to raise my goats, lambs, kittens, etcetera. I was out playing in the woods and streams.
And now at 32 I rarely ACTUALLY am too sick to work. I am capable of working extremely long days, and I do believe I am capable of a lot of kindness and compassion.

You raised your daughter. It will all work out.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Yes..congrats on your new grand daughter! That has to be very exciting for you!

I had Smokey,a TAG,long before my son was born <r.i.p. Smokes> and she'd sit on James' crib and chat nonsense to him.all the while he would be laughing at,and with her

As he grew,and started to crawl,Smokey would be on the floor with him.
There is nothing wrong with James,and he never "caught" anything from her.
I also believe there is something else going on here..just MHO.
Again,congradulations and the best of luck..I'd certainly would die if I had to give up my birds because of something like that

Jim

 

[JerseyWendy]

I know I'm late to this 'party', so firstly, WELCOME to the forums, gremikbroof2amazons, and many congrats on becoming a grandparent!!

Whether or not there are 'deeper' issues (IF there are any), is really nobody's business. I was raised with 'dirty' dogs, birds and many MANY other 'dirty' farm animals. Nothing wrong with me health-wise.

I raised my own 2 boys (now grown men) around the same 'dirty' animals, and neither one of them has ever had any health issues.

Keep the lines of communications open - always. That's the best advice I can offer.

 

[Birdman666]

That is a such a boatload of crap!

The chances of that child getting some sort of communicable disease from a parrot, who has essentially not been exposed to anything outside the house, is pretty remote.

To have an M.D. knee jerk a reaction like that to reinforce the paranoia is even worse.

A baby in a room away from the birds IS NOT going to get sick and die from them!

And I agree with everyone else. I wouldn't knee jerk react to her demands, and get rid of YOUR pets, as a condition of seeing your own grandkids! (THAT GOES SOMEWHERE PAST CONTROL FREAK BEHAVIOR TO ME. WHAT'S NEXT? SHE DOESN'T LIKE THE OUTFIT YOU'RE WEARING WHILE HOLDING THE GRANDKIDS? GO CHANGE FIRST? YOU'RE FURNITURE IS TOO OLD, KIDS MIGHT PICK UP GERMS FROM IT? BUY NEW FURNITURE. SANITIZE YOUR WHOLE HOUSE FIRST, THEN CALL ME TO COME OVER AND INSPECT IT BEFORE THE BABY COMES OVER. YOUR HAIRSTYLE MIGHT FRIGHTEN THE BABY, CHANGE TO THIS ONE...)

THIS IS AN UNREASONABLE DEMAND. Wait for new Mom to calm down a bit. Go over there for now. And, as others have said, new mom, will become "overwhelmed mom" quickly enough...

"Well, I'd be happy to help, but I am not throwing my beloved pets in the garbage as a condition of HELPING YOU OUT! That's a bit much... I can put them in another room and close the door though if you feel that strongly about it."

 

[Bartleby]

For all those thinking there might be deeper issues going on, I can very well assure you that there are still a boatload of MDs that advise new and expecting parents to dump their pets....of any species. For a VERY long time it was actually considered sound medical advice to not have pets in homes with infants. While medical knowledge of the immature immune system is evolving not every MD is up to speed.

We now know that unless children are genetically predisposed to developing some autoimmune conditons the constant exposure to dirt (and ALL pets have dirt, dander, dust, detritus, whatever you want to call it.....just like every living being) actually provides the growing child with a stronger immune system in the long run. It's been challenged and rises to the occasion. An example, children raised in homes with pets have significantly lower chances of developing asthma.

Anyway if you are a new first time parent, scared out of your mind (as they all are), and your trusted doctor advises that a pet (even a well loved pet) is a real health risk to your new infant....chances are very high that even the super diehard animal lover is going to think twice and freak a little. For those that aren't diehard animal lovers it is perfectly understandable for them to be concerned and freaking, especially when they are hearing it from medical professionals (who they expect to know this stuff) AND quite possibly from many other well meaning busy bodies around them.

I'll just say this, it is a surprisingly common reason for relinquishment in many shelter situations. Many, many, many people are cajoled into believing that their own pet is a health risk (not from an attack perspective, but from a disease perspective) to their precious baby. Many of those people will tell you that not only did friends and family tell them this, but so did their pediatrician, family doctor, obstetrician.

Heck, right above me we've got Kiwibird saying she thinks of dogs as "dirty" animals that she wouldn't ever allow in her house, despite the scientific fact that they just plain aren't....especially not any dirtier than our fellow man. These old wives tales and firmly held beliefs are often not rational and when they are spouted off by people we think "know" what they are talking about and have to do with the safety of our most precious beings.....people do and say funny things, because they are scared.