my first milk bath

[wildhorse]

I picked up my new doeling this morning needless to say when its feeding time we all get a milk bath. She is only taking 2 oz at a time so im trying frequent feedings.Milk pours out of her bottle and we both get soaked.Ive got her in her play pen in the living room where its nice and warm.She is so tiny and I worry...This is my first time bottle feeding and only my second goat.

[CountryHaven]

It's so much fun, isn't it? I just got two more bottle babies from my friend who's doe had quads! We weren't expecting that at all. She didn't look big enough for just a single even. So just when I got my first two out of the house and I didn't have to worry about diapers anymore (although I'm still running out there and bottle feeding them) I have two more in the house, lol. They're so precious though!

Don't worry, the milk baths don't last too long. As soon as she has it really figured out in a few feedings she'll be a pro, and you'll be dry. haha

[Blossomgapfarm]

We are bottling two babies - both must be around 20 lbs. now. We have them on regular baby bottles with regular nipples with an x shape cut in them. Just big enough to make it easier for them to get the milk out but not so big that milk just dripps out of the bottles. They are both getting 2 bottles 3 times a day and I don't get wet at all. We started the buckling kid on this nipple when he was 4 days. The doeling we started on it at 5 weeks. She had been dam raised but supplemented with a bottle so she knew what it was for. They both do fine on them.
Dawn

[Idahoe]

I just got my FIRST bottle babies two days ago, and it's fun to sit on the porch and bottle them, but my Pyr puppy LOOOOVES goat milk and the border collie pup loves what comes out the other end, so they aren't allowed to "help". The Pyr pup washes the babies faces hoping for a splash of milk during feedings, dislodges the nipple causing milk baths for all of us. The BC follows the babies around waiting for them to poo after their feedings. Goat babies have very clean faces and clean bums around here .

[Feral Nature]

I get my share of milk baths too. The first day or two the kids can be a challenge til they get the hang of it. I use the yellow and red Prichard nipples which help a little. Once the kids get the hang of the bottle feeding thing, all you have to do is show them the bottle and they will practically climb all over you trying to get it!

[PlowGirl]

Originally Posted by Idahoe

and the border collie pup loves what comes out the other end, so they aren't allowed to "help".

The BC follows the babies around waiting for them to poo after their feedings. Goat babies have very clean faces and clean bums around here .

This is what makes dogs most useful. I actually call my dogs and bring the bums to their attention. The babies stay clean, I don't have to do it, but I can't stand for my dogs to kiss my face anymore. lol

[Al. Countryboy]

I have an old uncle that has used regular baby bottles for over 25 years to feed his baby goats and so I started using regular bottles also. They work fine and I do not think are as messy.

[BlueHeronFarm]

Our milk baths only lasted a couple days....little tongues hanging sideways out of their mouths were my favorite. The girls are three weeks old now and not a DROP gets wasted anymore. ...the dogs are bummed. They have stopped even waiting until the kids are done to start licking the corners of their mouths. And yes, they have exceptionally clean bottoms, too. Eeeew.

[Idahoe]

Originally Posted by PlowGirl

This is what makes dogs most useful. I actually call my dogs and bring the bums to their attention. The babies stay clean, I don't have to do it, but I can't stand for my dogs to kiss my face anymore. lol

Yes, poor Bobbie Jo the border collie isn't allowed to "kiss" us since the kids arrived. My doeling is stubborn about the nipple and wants it placed just so in her mouth, but with Bobbie Jo licking her hiney she latches on so much faster .