Oh man I know some about this one - cat enrichment is a passion of mine, as well as cat training through positive reinforcement!! Cats DO NOT learn from or respond well to negative reinforcement (actually a misnomer, but basically 'punishment' or deterrents), and this might increase his anxiety. Definitely begin this process before baby gets here, as others have said! For you guys, enrichment will be the name of the game. Buckle up, and apologies for the long post....

Give him as many things to do at night as you can - puzzle feeders, try feeding him right before going 'in' for the night with a puzzle feeding bowl, lots of toys. Hide little stashes of food around so he has to 'hunt' for it; you can even make little scent trails. Feeding on a schedule, not leaving it down all the time, makes food much more high-reward and fun to discover. You can also leave worn shirts or bras of yours out, either next to his favorite sleeping spaces or even in them (like cat beds) so he has some 'momma smell' to comfort him when you're separated!!

Put the toys and food away during the day, except for his breakfast!! Night time can become a 'fun' time for him, but only if you do it very positively! Exiling him from the bedroom with negative stimuli (picking him up and carrying him out, chasing him out of the room, shutting the door right in his face) will reinforce the negative associations; try to get a toy that he will chase out and then shut the door once he's left of his own accord.

Some major things to think about are - active playtime, not passive play. These are things that move (either on their own battery-operated or because you drag/swing/point them), versus balls or toys that sit on the floor. Cats have a LOT more energy than we give them credit for! They have an absolutely huge hunting instinct, and get a lot of satisfaction out of using that. Try toys like battery operated laser pointer stand, ones that move with very little jostling, mice that he has to 'hunt'. Here are a few I've used - a butterfly on a wire, a mouse that goes around a track for about 7-8 minutes, a laser tower. You get the idea. None of these are perfect, but they will be new and fun! You might have to come back out a few times a night to turn them back on at intervals, but hey, you'll be up with baby or to pee anyways!! Again, put these away during the day so they are 'new' at night. You can also try cat tunnels like these for fun new territory to explore.

Speaking of territory, try to get him using his 'vertical space' (shelves on the wall, cat trees, etc) as much as possible with treats and catnip. More places to explore means more places to hide food and toys!

In general, look into as much 'fun stuff' at night as possible. He's definitely going to want to explore and get to know baby; this is normal and fine as long as it is safe. Babies actually benefit from contact with animals as it helps their immune systems!! I think that night time is definitely going to be your hardest bit, but just be as consistent as you can and start small. Start with just 15mins locked out, but again, have him chase a toy out and then have something high-value (treats, a favorite toy/game) out there to keep him occupied. Just keep building those positive associations with 'outside the bedroom' and make the bedroom as boring a place as you can for him!!!

Another good page with a lot of the same info, a little better worded haha!!

Not sure what your budget is or what type of cage you have but I used these type of wire cubes to built a bigger home for my bun. For ideas on how to make a door/entrance take a look at this thread from a few weeks ago.


You can also try to put mats against the wires so he doesn't chew the wires and gets a snack instead. If he doesn't pay much attention to the mats you can try what I do at times, I get the treats (see link below) and rub it against the mats so it's more a more appetizing snack.

A few other suggestions when you move and have bigger space:

• Tunnels - Options 1 - for this one just keep an eye on the hanging ball - my bun chewed right through the string to get rid of the ball but otherwise loves the tunnel, Option 2, Option 3
  
  Treats (recommended by her vet)
  
  I also agree with a lot of the suggestions here, I have the Living World Teach treat toy and my bun just loves it, though doesn't care for other toys but lives for cardboard boxes. Hope this helps!

Maybe try a pet carrier where the cat can see you better? I have one that looks like a baby carrier that you can put on in front of you like this: https://www.amazon.com/PAWABOO-Backpack-Adjustable-Easy-Fit-Traveling/dp/B01NAK4VXM/ref=zg_bs_2975334011_4?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=EN72ZAG89FXD6976CQ8

Or one where only their heads are poking out like this: https://www.amazon.com/YUDODO-Carrier-Sling-Shoulder-Chihuahua/dp/B06Y66NKC7/ref=zg_bs_3024189011_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=JF460820QKHV42R1AM5M

Both have a short leash that can be used to hook onto harnesses so they can’t escape easily. Both allows you to support them and allow them to see you.

OP's cat turns to stone because till now a harness was associated with going on a stressful trip, restraint while grooming or for a trip to the Vet, so once it's part of an adventurous park visit routine, your cat will be more receptive.

a problem with most cat H harnesses is they don't form an underside bridge between the neck and underarm loops. simply get a strip of 2 side velcro tape (loop side out) to bridge that gap, and your cat will not be able to squirm out even while wet.

risky incomplete harness: http://common1.csnimages.com/lf/49/hash/2725/7428788/1/Go+Go+Gecko+1%2F2%22+Adjustable+H-Style+Cat+Harness.jpg

secure complete harness: http://www.petslubrisyn.com/wp-content/uploads/dogs-supplies/Rogz-Fancy-Dress-Large-3-4-Inch-Beachbum-Adjustable-Dog-H-Harness--Purple-Chrome-Design.jpg

2 sided velcro strap: https://www.hookandloop.com/extra/images/Velcro_One_Wrap_Strap.jpg

only take an indoor cat outside if he's up to date on all inoculations and flea tick worm precautions.

only allow strangers to pet your cat if it recently had it's nails trimmed.

OK, now that we are certain your cat is harnessed correctly, let's talk about going to the park. you need to treat your indoor only cats going to the park like any relocation that may stress your indoor territorial cat - a cat is not a dog which is conditioned to walk out into unfamiliar places twice each day.

don't "walk" your cat, rather carry it to the park, and find a clean spot like a table and chair, bench or jungle gym fixture, that your cat can go under and climb up on should he choose to be in sun or shade. just sit and relax and give your cat time to explore one area within the radius of your leash. if your cat remains immobile after 20 minutes, pees or shivers, then the stress is too much and you should take him back inside. if the cat meows a lot with you near, don't worry that's just part of his acclimation process.

try this breaking-in ritual every week until the cat relaxes enough to explore one spot, then try a new spot the next week... you need to ease your cat into this. once you can bring your cat to new spots by carrying him, now try to walk him from one established spot to the other, then eventually from home to your first spot, then from your last spot back home. a cat is not a child you need to coax into action - allow the cat to let you know when it's ready for a new frontier.

a chest or hip sling carrier is a safe casual way to carry your already harness and leashed pet around;

http://www.amazon.com/Kyjen-Outward-Hound-Front-Carrier/dp/B00030EZYY

http://www.amazon.com/Kyjen-Outward-Hound-Sling-Go-Carrier/dp/B000F261ZQ

there are hundreds of small pet carry designs, so feel free to shop around. only buy models that are fully enclosed, not ones with adjustable leg holes like for babies. many pet specific carriers have extra leash loops sewn inside - do not trust them or risk the leash loop handoff. best to keep your own leash on the harness and fed the leash line through the carrier opening - at all times carry or pocket the leash handle. if you get the hip carrier, cinch up the shoulder strap so the cat rests above your hip not against it.

in the end, accept your cat's personality. my girl is always pensive at first, but once outside she does seem to enjoy herself. my boy will have nothing to do with it, though he does like sniffing her odd new smells once she gets back from the park. insider tip - do not take your cat to a dog run - dog owners will be polite - but all privately think you are nuts.

I too live in a busy city. When we first got our 8 week old pup, we would carry him in a bag like this: https://www.amazon.com/CISNO-Carrier-Outdoor-Travel-Shoulder/dp/B01FSDC272/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1501009589&sr=8-19&keywords=Dog+sling

I think it gave him confidence to meet people when he was more up at their level. It also made it a heck of a lot easier to expose him to a variety of situations while he was cozy in his bag.

Our guy quickly outgrew this, but for the first couple of weeks it was a great tool.

We have this carrier and it is great! It's comfortable to wear and gives you use of both hands!

I have a backpack carrier that converts to a carrier w/ wheels for one of my dogs. A friend uses a sling like carrier to commute with their small dog. That might be good & lightweight for walks. It's similar to this one here http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FECC9LC/ref=twister_B00FED8O2E?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

That would be pretty great, you need someone to carry you around in one of these at the next meetup.

I carry my full-grown one (8-9 lbs, depending on how much she can talk me into feeding her, haha!) in this one, and I really love it:

https://www.amazon.com/LILYS-PET-Adjustable-Shoulder-Breathable/dp/B01LEU3AMO/ref=pd_day0_hl_199_8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01LEU3AMO&pd_rd_r=94e15981-32fa-11e9-9916-7fe6d01b346e&pd_rd_w=eNucF&pd_rd_wg=js1f4&pf_rd_p=ad07871c-e646-4161-82c7-5ed0d4c85b07&pf_rd_r=GKB7BHA8B4NE4SY7G7Y5&psc=1&refRID=GKB7BHA8B4NE4SY7G7Y5

I'm fairly sure it was this one. I liked that it had a clip inside so he would be caught by his harness if he tried to take a flying leap out of it. That was never an issue, and he was very content to be close to me and just watch everything. I do wish that it had an adjustable strap, but there are plenty more on Amazon that do.

They sell "dog slings", a friend of mine used one when her puppy was too young to be out and about (due to parvo, etc.)

Few options:

https://smile.amazon.com/Hands-free-Reversible-Comfortable-Double-sided-Shoulder/dp/B00U1F6TJU/ref=sr_1_6?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1483142416&sr=1-6&keywords=dog+carrier

https://smile.amazon.com/GemPet-Hand-Free-Revisible-Small-Carrier/dp/B01HEC4ASO/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1483142416&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=dog+carrier&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/All-Cart-Airline-Approved-Shoulder/dp/B01LLBQEO2/ref=sr_1_14?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1483142416&sr=1-14&keywords=dog+carrier

Search around for that type of thing?

You need a sling to keep her suspended so she doesn’t have control.


Diamond Cut Helping Hand Dog Grooming Sling (Large) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D84WB6M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6SXtDbR8XAQBN

Timetuu, we found it on amazon, here is the link https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06Y4VFCB8/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1518466733&sr=8-3&keywords=hands+free+dog+puppy+sling&dpPl=1&dpID=51lZYwwC1xL&ref=plSrch

My pup did this too. Some things that solved it:

1. Feeding her the most high value treats for walking out of the yard, for example, pieces of hot dog to coax her out
   
2. Carrying her for "walks" in a sling to get used to being around cars http://amzn.com/B00FECC9LC
   
3. Identifying things that triggered her fear while on walks and giving treats for being near those things. Rosie was afraid of cars, baby strollers and bicycles.
   
4. Carrying a squeaky toy and squeaking it if she started to fixate on something that might scare her.
   
5. Working on basic commands such as sit and down and performing them on walks. This really increased her confidence.
   
6. Waiting until after she went #2 before leaving for a walk. She has since gotten over this, but she used to only want to do her business in our yard. If we left for a walk without doing #2 and she had to go, she would refuse to walk, we'd go back home and then she'd promptly go.

I hate to be "that guy", but those style carriers are very bad for our doggy's hips. They're not designed to handle the weight like human baby's hips are. If you want to get a carrier, I suggest a sling style one like this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016QTMBUK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JpnCCbGVQKC68