I have the messiest budgie in the world and DS is not affected at all. I have heard it said that children growing up with animals are less likely to have asthma. Apparently the kids build an immunity to any of the dust mites etc found in the garbage flying around from the animals. Dunno about the truth in it, but I can see the reasoning behind it.

I think the only thing is when DS starts crawling he'll be heading for the feathers and seed on the floor to see what they taste like. So, I'll have to keep on top of that - not that I don't now, it's just I'll have to be extra clean........

Babies and animals are a perfect combination. My little five month old and the cat are inseparable - and she's an old cat too.......... always been the queen of the house and she lets Daniel pull her fur and her ears. If I tried the stuff he gets away with I reckon I'd look like I'd been through a mincer. But no, she just sits there and purrs while he commits hari kari with his merciless little hands.