Babies can't fit teat

[boymomx6]

I need some help asap. My third mama just had twins (girls yeah) and neither of them can nurse because mama's teats are bigger than my thumb. What do I do? Do I have to milk the colostrum out and feed them? If I do that, are they always going to be bottle babies? I don't want them to be bottle babies if I can help it. Do I let them figure it out? It has only been about 1 hour so far but the girls are trying like crazy to eat. Please tell me what to do. How long can they keep trying before I have to intervene? Thanks everyone.

[Alice In TX/MO]

I have an older doe with big teats, too. I stood beside her, guided the kid into position, grasped the teat and guided the *end* into the kid's mouth. Keep doing this off and on and the kid will figure out to get the END. At first, they start nibbling down the side of the teat, but with help, they will get it. When they start nursing regularly, it won't be a problem.

[wildhorse]

I would milk her out and bottle feed, a friend of mine lost a little buck because he couldnt nurse.

[nehimama]

If you feel they aren't getting their colostrum soon enough (within 12 hours), I'd milk some out & be sure to bottle it into them. Otherwise, I'd do as Rose suggests. I'll bet they'll get the hang of it. Keep at it, and good luck!

NeHi

[goatsareus]

I recommend what Rose said. Work with the kids to find the end of the teat. You've got time to help them, no crisis yet. Try to squirt some milk in their mouths to get them started. Just work with the kids to help them learn.

[RiverPines]

I dont do anything for awhile. If the kids are trying every little while, I wont butt in till after several hours has passed. (several meaning 4-6)

As a result, I have never had to butt in.

The only times I have ever had to butt in is when something has gone wrong like a weak kid or sick kid, etc.

[tmfinley]

I agree. Either wait for them to get it or help them out. I can't help but help them out a bit. They probably will get it eventually. If you bottle feed now you will more than likely have to bottle feed later.

Tiffany

[tioga12]

If her teats are very engorged it might help to soften them up a bit by expressing a few squirts until they are easier for the kids to handle. Keep trying- it doesn't sound like they are so overly large that kids couldn't handle them.

[tmfinley]

Oops, yes, I meant to say to try milking her out a bit to soften the teats up so they don't just pop out of their mouths. Good advice tioga12!

[KimM]

Some babies seem like they need to be trained to find and get the hang of things. I work with mine until they get their first good belly full and watch to see if they figure it out. If they refuse to suckle in the first couple hours, I tube and ounce or two of colostrum - I refuse to invest 5 months of doe care and/or a breeding fee just to not have them get that first milk asap. (I may be going a bit overboard but that's how I do it) Then I just keep working with them and watching until they learn. It took me almost a week for one doeling to learn, her dam's teats are very low, and big. She's retired now - a little too much work there.
The nice thing is that the kids bond with you and associate you with meal time, like bottle feeding but the bottles are pre-made!