How much and how often bottle premie

rootsandwings · #1 02/25/13, 11:54 AM

I had a single doeling born at day 136 this morning (about 5 hours ago) - eyes open and furry, but teeth aren't through. I found her cold and limp but barely breathing between her birth and mom pasing the placenta. It was 25 degrees out. the doe is a first fresher and just walked away.

It took three hours on a heating pad by the woodstove to get her warm and dry. then I gave her BoSe. She can hold her head up and cry, but not stand or suck. I managed to syringe about 2 ounces of milk (from her mom) into her around noon. How often does she need to eat and how much at a time?

Frosted Mini's · #2 02/25/13, 06:28 PM

I can't give you exact numbers, but little and often, is going to be the way to go, I'd say. Get a weight on her, and make sure she is gaining. I believe they need 10-15% of their body weight per day, minimum. Probably a couple ounces every 2 hours for her, would be good, I would guess. That would be 15% of a 5 lb kid's body weight. You can adjust accordingly. I'd be feeding a kid like that 'round the clock until they get going good and strong. Rather than syringe the milk in, tubing would probably be a better option, because if she doesn't suck and swallow well, you could easily give her aspiration pneumonia with that much liquid.

rootsandwings · #3 02/25/13, 07:39 PM

4lbs. She's willing to take about an ounce every hour and a half, mostly she sleeps. still not standing. She tips her head back and swallows fine - I've got a baby med syringe, so she gets about a half cc at once. It takes a while to get 30ccs in her!

she has passed meconium and peed well.

CarolT · #4 02/25/13, 11:16 PM

I'd be doing what Frosted Mini's says. Good luck with the baby! Swallowing, peeing and pooping are all very good signs

Frosted Mini's · #5 02/26/13, 02:07 AM

I am glad she is doing so well for you, and hope she continues to do so! If she swallows well, I would bet she may take a nipple, especially a pritchard nipple in not too long a time. Good luck with her, it sounds like you are working hard!

GoatJunkie · #6 02/26/13, 04:14 AM

Keeping my fingers crossed for her, and wishing you all the best!

rootsandwings · #7 02/26/13, 07:45 AM

it was a long night!

the sucking reflex isn't fully developed, but she took the last feeding from the bottle (most of it, we were a sticky mess!)

She still can't get to her feet, but she can remain standing if you put her on her feet and she takes backwards steps without falling down. She cries for me to stand her up after she eats so she can pee properly.

I have to call my boss and see if she can come to work with me (I teach part time in a private program - the kids would love it) tomorrow or if I'm taking the day off. I'm guessing she'll get to come - we had a student who brought a bottle sheep with her for three weeks two years ago.

I'm going to weigh her again before the next feeding.