Milking help

Aintlifegrand · #1 06/04/09, 10:38 AM

My 1 1/2 YO Nubian FF delivered a single boy a few hours ago.. all went well with the birth.. he is an adorable 1st Gen Kinder...both are eating, pooping and peeing fine..afterbirth expelled.. he is of course only drinking from one teat.. she is lopsided and I have tried to encourage him to nurse from the other but he will only nurse a few minutes and then move back to the other.. I assume I have to milk out the other but when i try nothing comes out.. it is now becoming larger than the other and tight..I keep trying and he keeps trying but no colostrum comes out...what is wrong?

Edited to add.. I am a first time milker as well so I thought maybe it was me.. but he doesn't seem to be able to get any out either as he gives up after a few minutes on that one and goes to the other..

LaManchaPaul · #2 06/04/09, 10:41 AM

Most likely, the wax plug hasn’t been expelled.
Work with the orifice and massage it well trying to get the plug out.

If that doesn’t work, post here again.
Paul

Chaty · #3 06/04/09, 10:45 AM

Use a warm compress as this sometimes helps remove the plug that clogs the teat oriface. Also try getting closer to the end of the teat to try to remove it. also milking that side will help her also with only a single.

Aintlifegrand · #4 06/04/09, 10:45 AM

Thanks Paul.. I'll try that...

Aintlifegrand · #5 06/04/09, 11:14 AM

Okay thanks all.. I did use a warm compress, massaged and them some gooey sticky stuff came out..so I put the little fellow on that teat and he suckled for a few minutes and she now looks balanced. Her udder is soft and much smaller on both sides...baby is now sleeping with a full belly and Mom is eating her alfalfa...alls well in the barn again... Baby's Grandma is due any day also with what looks like a dozen...LOL ( but probabaly only two like last time)..Thanks for all your help.

Chaty · #6 06/04/09, 05:03 PM

WOOHOO glad she is better and he is full...

Ernie · #7 06/04/09, 06:17 PM

A single kid may end up favoring one teat over the other anyway. I've had kids who only would eat from the left side for some strange reason. It'll work itself out, but it helps if you can keep an eye on the mother and make sure there's no problems developing in the under-utilized teat.