Did you have to give your cats away because of your baby's allergies?

[?Kaitlin?]

After a month and a half of my daughter being constantly stuffed up and congested I had to give away my 3 cats. I went to the doctor twice during the past month and twice she told me that my baby's chest was clear and aside from the nasal congestion that she was showing no signs of being sick. The doctor asked me if I had pets and when she found out I had three cats she was pretty convinced this was the problem. I waited a little longer hoping the congestion would go away (I really didn't want to give them away) But the congestion persisted. I just gave them away yesterday but guess what? The baby is still congested! I am going to steam clean all the carpets etc to get rid of the dander and fur but I wonder how long it will take for the reaction to stop. My worst fear is that I gave the cats away for nothing.
Her father has the allegies, I could live with a hundred cats and it would not bother me. I am guessing she inherited the allergy from her dad.
We do have a lot of carpeting. If she turns out not to be allergic to the animals I could get the cats back.
I'm starting to think it is the carpets, we rent so ripping the carpets out isn't an option but we are moving soon and you can bet I will be looking for a house with no carpeting whatsoever..

[K K]

I also have cats (and have allergies, but love them anyway) and brought this up with my pediatrician.
I think you have been misled.
Our pediatrician says that execpt in rare extreme cases, environmental allergies (ie; dust, pets, pollens etc) take at least a full year of regular exposure for the body to develop an allergy to them. that 99% of babies are not born with allergies, and that is is common for babies to have excess fluid and/or some congestion in the first few months of life. (I was worried about allergies because my son was always sneezing).
my son is now 20 months and totally fine and snuggles with my cats all the time.
I would not have given up my pets without consulting an allergist first to determine what, if anything is causing your baby's reaction.

[K K]

I also have cats (and have allergies, but love them anyway) and brought this up with my pediatrician.
I think you have been misled.
Our pediatrician says that execpt in rare extreme cases, environmental allergies (ie; dust, pets, pollens etc) take at least a full year of regular exposure for the body to develop an allergy to them. that 99% of babies are not born with allergies, and that is is common for babies to have excess fluid and/or some congestion in the first few months of life. (I was worried about allergies because my son was always sneezing).
my son is now 20 months and totally fine and snuggles with my cats all the time.
I would not have given up my pets without consulting an allergist first to determine what, if anything is causing your baby's reaction.