How to get baby to nurse from nipple and not syringe

[lizharrell1]

I have 2 babies approx 2 weeks old that I have had for 3 days. I have been feeding them with Esbilac via syringe and have tried switching them to a syringe with nipple attached. They both act very noninterested in the nipple and refuse to eat that way. So I had to go back to using the syringe. Any suggestions?

[muffinsquirrel]

So far, I have managed to convince all of mine to use the nipple, but it was a long hard fight with some of them! :D I have been known to put a small drop of syrup on the tip of the nipple to get them more interested. The main thing is to figure out exactly WHERE they want the nipple placed - every pup in my grey litter (4 of them) wants it a little different. Some just barely want the nipple in their mouth, and some want it stuck as far in as it will go. And one little obnoxious girl will only nurse if she can daintly lick and nibble on the very tip, and then suddenly gulp the whole thing as far down her throat as she can get it! It was very un-nerving the first time she did it, and still kinda shocks me even now.

On the other hand, there is nothing that says they have to use a nipple - if they are doing OK right from the syringe, and you are comfortable with it, just go ahead with it.

muffinsquirrel

[lizharrell1]

Thanks for the welcome and thanks for the replies:thankyou ! I guess it really doesn't matter that they won't nurse from a nipple only that they get their food SOMEHOW. I estimate these babies to be around 2- 2 1/2 weeks old, have fur, but nothing on tail yet. They seem to only want 2 ccs at a time, maybe a little more. Is this okay for their age?