I too have seen a lot of friend's babies introduced to homes with adult cats and NEVER has there been a problem. Cats instinctively know that a baby isn't a big person and give them a lot of latitude just as with a kitten.

I have watched a baby grab a handful of fur and the cat stood still, obviously in pain, until the baby let go. Then the cat ran. It seems that after about 18 months that tolerance breaks down, though. Then a handful of fur may be answered by a swat just like with unruly kittens who should be old enough to know better.

The benefits of growing up with pets are enormous and your fears are unfounded. My sisters and I grew up with pets, slept with kitties, played in the dirt, were exposed to germy other kids and other "dangerous" stuff and we lived through it and don't have any allergies. Overprotected kid's immune systems are underdeveloped and they frequently develop allergies as adults. Do your baby a favor and make sure he or she is healthy for life.

SIDS has been such a mystery over the centuries and people had to find someone to blame. We now know what the cause is and it ain't a cat. Move into the 21st century already.