Overview
Introduction of a newborn to the family dogs is an important event. The acceptance of the new baby is best facilitated by a gentle, gradual, low-stress introduction. Don't feel like you have to accomplish this in one day. Start slowly when parents feel ready, and preferably with one dog at a time, especially if they are boisterous pets.
Make sure the dogs are healthy and up to date on vaccinations and deworming, and have had a physical examination and a stool sample performed to confirm that there are no internal or external parasites present before there is contact with the baby. It is not a sanitary practice to allow dogs to lick a baby's face or skin because the immune system of a baby is not fully developed. There is a normal bacterial population in the saliva of the dog that increases if there is dental disease, or the dog has free access to the outdoors, and therefore possible sources of spoiled food, etc. If a friendly lick occurs inadvertently, don't worry. Just wash the skin with soap and water.
Remember that the dogs will expect your continued attention to reassure them that they are still very important to you. During breaks such as naptime, take time to play with the dogs and groom them.
Introducing Your Dog to the Baby
Start by allowing the dogs to smell the baby's things. Place items (such as receiving blankets) around the house before laundering them so that the dogs get to recognize the baby smell and have an opportunity to explore and sniff at their own pace. Praise them when they smell the item and do not growl. Then, when you allow the dog near Mom and baby, make sure two adults are present. This way, if there is any unusual reaction by the dog, the dog can be removed from the room by the second person without Mom having to try to juggle dog and baby. Reward a calm dog with a treat, or lots of praise/petting. Once they see that baby is not a threat to their social order, they go about their usual routine. If anything unusual happens on the first exposure such as unusual fear or hints of aggression, remove the dog and contact your veterinarian for further advice.
Prevent your dogs from entering the baby's room to help maintain cleanliness and quiet, and to prevent unusual circumstances. Even after you are sure they have accepted the baby, remember that dogs should never be left unattended with children, even for short periods of time.
Taking introductions slowly will allow you to introduce family dogs and babies safely. Dogs are generally very accommodating in adopting the baby as part of their expanding family