Tips on bottle feeding

[babysunbird]

My vet said I should supplement a bottle for my pups along w/them nursing on mom. Any tips on getting them to take the bottle? They latch on really well to mom but, do not seem interested in the bottle. He's recommending supplementing only because of their size. Thanks in advance for any help.

[frontierrots]

Pups should nurse on mom first and be topped off after

They should be filled only to a soft firmness not hard and bloated. About the feel of a soft boiled egg or a jello easter egg

They need to be fed on their bellies only slightly elevated in the front, not upright like a human baby

They need to be burped after and their faces etc washed

Formula only keeps in the fridge 24 hours after that it spoils so only make up enough for that time or toss leftovers

Formula should be about 100 degrees if you have a formula thermometer. If not do the wrist test like for babies. It should be quite warm but not hot or tepid

yellowish diarrhea means to much food, white diarrhea or yellow diarrhea withchunks of white means lots too much food

Burping up milk or vomiting after a meal means overfilled

[babysunbird]

Thanks.. That is very helpful.

[SadiesMom]

In reading on your other post it seems you got the bottle thing figured out as far as what kind, but if you ever had to use the tiny animal bottle again, try making the hole into a slit and boiling it to soften. Its too hard to suck on for many babies and doesn't feel natural at all. I have know people to resort to gloves for the smaller breeds because it was easier for the pup to suck on and closer to the feel of mom.

[babysunbird]

Hey... got another question... On the burping thing... Can you actually hear them burp. My husband and I have both tried (he looked at me like I was crazy when I told him to burp them) and we have never actually heard anything to let us know that they burped. But, we did it for a while anyways.... just to be sure. I mean... my son doesn't ALWAYS burp either. But, my ??? is can you HEAR it or feel it... how do I know that they've burped?? and Do they always burp after the bottle???

[frontierrots]

you hear and/or feel it. They should burp after each bottle feeding. They don't need to burp if only nursing

[babysunbird]

Ok.. it's not working so well anymore.. it did for that first time.. but, now none of them will take the bottle. It seems like they are getting too much milk. The first day I had the powdered mixture but, now my husband has went out and bought the Esbilac liquid Milk replacer for puppies.. and it seems to be coming out toooo fast. I have even used brand new nipples and still seems to be too much for them. This stuff is pretty expensive too.. and since finding out that it can only stay in the fridge for 24 hours (from one of the post) after opening it... I've already had to throw practically a whole can away!! Any tips on maybe making it a little thicker??? I have some powdered formula that the hospital gave me for my baby... could I possibly mix some of that w/the replacer??? Don't yell at me if I shouldn't... that's why I'm asking first. Meanwhile I am just trying to keep constant watch and make sure that they nurse plenty w/mom. But, she is seeming to get irritated. Like right now... she wanted to go out.. I thought to go potty, but, when I let her out she went and layed in her usual spot under our picnic table and stayed there. I know she could just be wanting some "space" but, I worry about the little ones.

[SadiesMom]

My pups don't want to take the bottle either, but what I have found that is working for them is using a new make-up sponge soaked in the formula or water when they are panting and I know they just ate. Good luck

[RoseArbour]

It will say right on the label how long the liquid is good for once opened. I seem to remember Esbilac is good for 72 hours after opened and if kept refrigerated. With a larger litter though I usually buy the dry powder form and just mix up what I need. We too use bottles for human babies. Best wishes!

[rottcrazed]

If Momma is appearing to get really irritated about feeding the babes, make sure you are checking her temperature as well and check her teats a couple of times a day for small and/or large lumps as this is a prime time for her to develop mastitis too; especially if the puppies are not sufficiently emptying her out each feeding.

Many Moms will exhibit is by not wanting to nurse, it is painful and having gone through it myself, I KNOW I didn't want anything near me it hurt that much.

Moms SHOULD want to be nowhere else the first week other than with their babes. Having said that, my friends' bitch was an awful mother, hated her pups, but would do as she was told and laid in the whelping pen, supervised, every 2 hours until the pups were all fed, and then off she went.

Kristi