Baby advice needed. Not sure if it's urgent.....yet.

TeenyTinyFarm · #21 03/14/14, 06:49 AM

I have spent 10, 20, up to 30 minutes each time trying. When my DH is here to help, he massages his jaw to try and stimulate him to nurse, but I still can't get more than an ounce in him at a time. I have never seen anything like it before. He doesn't try to suck only mouths at it slightly. He won't even suck on my fingers, just mouths at them as well. It's almost like he doesn't have a sucking reflex, which I can't believe, or he would have died on his dam.

I have a call in to the vet.

MDKatie · #22 03/14/14, 06:52 AM

What sort of bottle are you using? Have you tried a plastic soda bottle so you can squeeze it and maybe he'll swallow as the milk comes out?

TeenyTinyFarm · #23 03/14/14, 08:25 AM

I am currently using the Pritchard nipples on the soda bottle and yes I have done that (squeeze the bottle a bit). He will swallow what gets in his mouth, but he won't suck. I have also tried the black rubber nipples and a baby bottle. He seems to mouth more with the Pritchard nipples, so I have stuck to those.

GoldenWood Farm · #24 03/14/14, 10:26 AM

I am so sorry you are dealing with this

.

Justine

TeenyTinyFarm · #25 03/14/14, 01:24 PM

Ok vet called me back we talked on the phone for a good while, I explained everything. She said she would be happy to come out and show me how to tube feed him, but she wanted me to try one last thing first. She was pretty sure that taste was the issue based on what I was describing. She asked me to go out an get Kid Replacer and try that. BINGO!!!! He drank his first full two ounces! He wasn't nursing all excited and aggressive, but he was nursing! I called her and told her I could kiss her! So the plan is we are going to feed him 2 oz. every 2 to 3 hours to get his stomach slowly stretched back out and adjusted to the replacer and then work him up to more over time.

MDKatie · #26 03/14/14, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeenyTinyFarm

Ok vet called me back we talked on the phone for a good while, I explained everything. She said she would be happy to come out and show me how to tube feed him, but she wanted me to try one last thing first. She was pretty sure that taste was the issue based on what I was describing. She asked me to go out an get Kid Replacer and try that. BINGO!!!! He drank his first full two ounces! He wasn't nursing all excited and aggressive, but he was nursing! I called her and told her I could kiss her! So the plan is we are going to feed him 2 oz. every 2 to 3 hours to get his stomach slowly stretched back out and adjusted to the replacer and then work him up to more over time.

Uh oh, you done did it now.

I feed milk replacer with great results, but it's a rather hot topic sometimes.

I hope it works out for him, and gets him eating more!

GoldenWood Farm · #27 03/14/14, 01:37 PM

YAY! I am SO glad he is drinking for you!

Justine

TeenyTinyFarm · #28 03/14/14, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDKatie

Uh oh, you done did it now.

I feed milk replacer with great results, but it's a rather hot topic sometimes.

I hope it works out for him, and gets him eating more!

I know right! That's why I never considered using it. Seems like it gets such a bad rap. Plus at my house I have three young boys, so we go through the milk anyway, a little extra for goats was no great shakes. Millie is doing fine on the milk, so the vet said "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" So I have one kid on whole milk and one kid on replacer, LOL!

GoldenWood Farm · #29 03/14/14, 03:41 PM

I like your vet *laughs*. I have nothing against replacer when it works

. If you have nothing else that is why it is available. And if your boy is drinking than more power to you

.

Justine

Wendy · #30 03/15/14, 12:10 AM

I use replacer all the time with great success. Just make sure you mix it according to directions.

StarofHearts · #31 03/15/14, 07:21 AM

Take some before and after pics to remind him how naughty he was for giving you such a scare! So happy to hear he's finally eating for you!