Bringing home a newborn baby is one of life's biggest adjustments, but some parents are tempted to take on another major life change at the same time: getting a puppy.
The idea is undeniably appealing. A child and dog growing up side by side seems like the start of a lifelong friendship, complete with shared milestones, family memories and an inseparable bond. But experts say families should think carefully before bringing two highly dependent newcomers into the household at once.
While raising a puppy alongside a baby can offer developmental and emotional benefits, it also requires parents to realistically assess whether they have the capacity to meet both sets of needs.
Michelle Retsky, a pediatric speech-language pathologist, told Newsweek that having a dog in the home can offer benefits for a child's development from infancy onward. It gives them "multisensory exposure" through touch, sound, movement and even smell. Those everyday interactions can help support sensory integration as babies learn about the world around them.
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Pets can also support social and communication development. By observing interactions between people and animals, children are exposed to different forms of nonverbal communication and emotional expression.
Retsky said dogs often become a source of emotional grounding as children grow older.
"Animals in general offer unconditional, nonevaluative presence," she said. She added that many toddlers naturally practice early storytelling, babbling and conversation with their pets because there is no fear of correction or judgment.
Of course, there is also a less scientific benefit.
"I do feel like I need to state the obvious as well," Retsky said. "It's adorable for everyone to see a baby and a puppy interacting."
But parents' well-being has to factor into the equation too. Retsky warned that caring for a newborn and raising a puppy simultaneously can lead to significant caregiver fatigue. This could potentially leave parents with less capacity to manage either one's needs.
Not Every Puppy Becomes the Dog You Expected
Where Retsky focuses on child development, certified dog behavior consultant Leah Bornstein told Newsweek that prospective owners should spend just as much time thinking about the dog's future.
"My short answer is that I would not recommend getting a puppy just for the purpose of having the puppy and newborn grow up together," she said.
Bornstein added that many families become attached to the romantic image of a baby and puppy growing up together without fully considering the reality of raising a young dog.
A puppy's temperament as an adult cannot be predicted with certainty, she noted. While genetics and breed traits can provide clues, dogs are individuals, and some may later develop issues such as separation anxiety, reactivity, resource guarding or noise sensitivities.
"It's whether they are prepared to raise and support the individual dog that puppy eventually becomes," she said.
Bornstein also emphasized that interactions between children and dogs should never be left to chance. Puppies often jump, mouth objects and become overexcited, while toddlers are naturally prone to grabbing, squealing and moving unpredictably.
Neither is behaving badly, she said, but adults must actively supervise and manage those interactions to keep both safe.
Nor does raising a dog from puppyhood guarantee it will be comfortable around children, Bornstein said. Genetics, early experiences, health and environment can all influence behavior, meaning appropriate socialization and supervision remain important.
In some cases, Bornstein said, a carefully selected adult dog with an established temperament may actually be a better fit for young families than a puppy.
With rescues, parents can evaluate an adult dog's temperament through such measures as shelter behavioral assessments or certified trainers, prior to adoption.
What About the Emotional Cost?
Licensed psychotherapist Dipesh Patel believes parents should also consider how the decision could affect the family's emotional and financial well-being.
"Taking care of a newborn while also taking care of a new puppy objectively sounds like a lot of caregiving," Patel said.
Both babies and puppies require substantial care, which can contribute to exhaustion and sleep deprivation. Patel also noted the added financial costs associated with food, supplies, veterinary care and other necessities.
Still, he said there can be meaningful emotional benefits. According to Patel, growing up with a pet can support children's development in areas including empathy, responsibility and prosocial behavior.
One concern some parents have is that a dog's shorter life span means their child will eventually face the loss of a beloved companion.
Patel does not view that as a reason to avoid pet ownership.
For many children, the death of a family pet becomes their first experience with grief, providing an opportunity to learn how to process loss and understand their own response to it. However, he noted that the experience can also be difficult, particularly for children who struggle to process the loss or lack other sources of social support.
Ultimately, Patel said there is no universal answer.
"The fact of the matter is that it's all so complicated," he said.
Every child and family dynamic is different, Patel added, meaning parents should focus on making an informed decision that reflects their own circumstances rather than worrying about whether getting, or not getting, a puppy is inherently the "right" parenting choice.
For Bornstein, the most useful question is therefore less about the idyllic image of a child and puppy growing up together and more about what happens after they come home.
"Are we prepared to meet the needs of both a developing child and a developing dog at the same time?" she said.
If the answer is yes, Bornstein said it can become a wonderful family experience. But if parents lack the time, energy or resources, there is nothing wrong with waiting. A puppy does not have to arrive alongside a newborn for a child to grow up with a meaningful relationship with dogs.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Sirena Bergman and James Debens