From my point of view, babies simborize new things. e.g Projects, dreams or plans you may have with you BF. If some of the pets is sick and has been neglected it might indicate that you have neglected some plan, dream, or project with your BF. It has been so neglected that its near death.
The need to take a shower, as a previous poster said shows a need to clean.It might be physical or spiritual. Past things, relationships and resentments might be an option.
For me, it shows that the reason you neglected this "baby" is because that a cleanig process has not taken place.Or that you can effectively take care of this "baby", when you had cleaned up.