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Barnyard Buddies:  Bottle-feeding troubles--UPDATED  |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 16 2008 : 1:27:43 PM
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Well, I tried almost every suggestion given (at least, the ones I had time/ patience to try!) without much luck. This morning, they were looking so sad and scrawny, with no energy at all, so I took their mama back to them. I had hopes that they might have better luck nursing off her, and maybe she could boost their spirits. They perked up immediatly, and latched right on, pushing each other out of the way and chowed down. I will just keep them separated at night now (so I have morning's milk) but let her feed them throughout the day. Less milk for us, but happy healthy goat kids! In a few weeks, I will have it all to myself, anyway. Thanks for all your words of support and great ideas! I am sure they will work on kids in the future, although I hope I won't need to use them!  We had 3 kids born on Saturday, and only one of them will take a bottle well. The other two just sort of let it drip into their mouths, getting about 2 ounces each feeding. I don't think they will make it if they don't figure it out soon. I started with the standard black rubber nipple, but then got one of the flutter valve ones in hopes that would help. Doesn't seem to. Any ideas? It's very frustrating, and I don't want them to die!
Funny Farm ramblings http://happydalehobby.blogspot.com/ |
Edited by - Brew Crew on Apr 18 2008 2:54:28 PM |
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Prairie Princess
True Blue Farmgirl
1075 Posts
Jodi
Washington
USA
1075 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2008 : 1:35:08 PM
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I don't know much about kids, but I've bottle fed countless orphan kittens. To start with, are the two who haven't got the hang of it swallowing alright? Or do they just have no motivation to eat at all? Is the problem with them latching on? I've had several kittens who never learned to latch on, so had to cut a larger tip in the rubber nipple and squeeze it into their mouths each feeding. I fed them this way up until the time they were weaned. If they're simply not latching on and are waiting for the milk to drip into their mouths, then maybe they're getting impatient and bored before they get enough?? Maybe feed them those 2 ounces often so at the end of the day the amount that they need balances out? Wish I knew more!
~Jodi
"Women are like teabags...you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water." Eleanor Roosevelt |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2008 : 2:46:17 PM
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I have had kid goats who don't "get it" right away..were they triplets that were really small??? If not the black nipples are usually more the right size..I would cut an X at the end of one and try that..you can try a regular baby bottle nipple too..sometimes that works better for some kids..especially small ones. Not the nuk nipples..just the old standard type. I honestly never had much luck with flutter valve nipples. I always have some on hand, but they never were what the babies wanted.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2008 : 4:22:12 PM
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Yep, small triplets. I can tell you've been down this road before. ;)
I'll try the standard black ones again, they work fine for the biggest one. The other two just seem like they've given up and close their eyes and let it run down their faces. It's so sad...
Funny Farm ramblings http://happydalehobby.blogspot.com/ |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2008 : 5:29:19 PM
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If you can get a regular baby bottle with preemie size nipple and cut the X in the end that may work best...when they are small sometimes they just don't get it. I have fed with an eyedropper to get kids started before..big pain, but if it works it is worth it. I wish I were there to help you!!!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2008 : 6:46:35 PM
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I have used for the past twelve years just the standard baby bottle nipples on a regular baby bottle. I slice the tip open a bit but have different cuts as they get older. I have tried all the different nipples, bottles and equipment and found the simple human bottles the best. Mishka in the house is on that type of bottle and she had no sucking reflex for more then two days, you just have to let it drip if that is all they can do. I started her with an eyedropper and went from there. PATIENCE is the key - I know it is hard work and can get the best of us upset but remember all that work will pay off. Sometimes they are just like premie babies - slow on the uptake but they do catch up. Now I have to take the bottle away because she drinks too fast. Good luck and think postive.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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PlumCreekMama
True Blue Farmgirl
730 Posts
Heather
Iowa
USA
730 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2008 : 7:01:00 PM
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I have had the best luck with regular baby bottles also. I used a syringe the first few days and let the baby suck on my finger with squirting milk in the corner of his mouth with the syringe. It took a few days for him to get the hang of it. Grace is right, it takes a lot of patience. Just keep working at it and they will get it.
http://plumcreekmama.blogspot.com/ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2008 : 7:15:28 PM
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Also if they have been not sucking well, maybe add some brown sugar to their milk to help get their blood sugar up to give them the energy to suck as well. I know they do that with premie babies who are having a hard time nursing.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Brew Crew
True Blue Farmgirl
676 Posts
Molly
Arizona
676 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2008 : 7:32:06 PM
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Great ideas. I think I will bust out the supply of baby bottles for the next feeding.
I had a preemie, and this totally reminds me of the frustration of trying to get him to eat enough so that they would send him home.
Thanks for your thoughts and support! I feel like I can keep trying, instead of giving up as well.
Funny Farm ramblings http://happydalehobby.blogspot.com/ |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2008 : 8:52:50 PM
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I would use mollasses maybe instead of brown sugar...just me..
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2008 : 08:01:44 AM
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I would also say mollasses is better....... I also mix my milk with pediatric electrolyte. It keeps the kids, lambs and such from getting potty problems. I do that for the first week and then wean them into regular water for the mix. I have also found if you keep the little one's warm at all times it speeds up the process of them getting on track. The expends so much energy trying to stay warm that they will never catch up so I wrap mine in towel, blankets or whatever and keep a space heater next to them. You can make a heat box too if you can not keep them in one spot. Another great way to keep the heat in is slip a childs sweatshirt on the little one. Good luck and remember many of us are on bottle duty - we share dark circles, matted hair and lack of sleep but we also share those soft kisses, warm snuggles and loving eyes. Sending you the best thoughts and prayers.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2008 : 08:32:21 AM
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Yes, keeping the little ones is very important. When Nora was born small I kept her toasty warm at all times so all her energy could go to growing. I haven't had to bottle feed my own animals ever, but I do help with the animals at the ranch who sometimes need it. I hope your kids are looking and eating better today!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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Barnyard Buddies: Bottle-feeding troubles--UPDATED |
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Bottle-feeding troubles--UPDATED
