astra
04-26-2012, 02:22 AM
So, here are four babies: 1 boy and 3 girls.
The boy and the two girls opened their eyes this past Sunday/Monday.
One girl is trying to open her eyes beginning today.
Here are my questions:
1. Initially, I fed them 5-7% of their weight, which was about 5cc.
Two hours later they were licking each other and even suckling.
I assumed that they needed to eat more.
2. So, I increased the feeding amount up to about 6cc, tried even 7% but they just shut their mouth closed and would not take the syringe at all.
But even after the increased amount, they were up in two hours, again, licking and even suckling each other.
So, for a couple of days I ended up giving them 2-3 cc's worth of "snacking" in between meals and ended up feeding them every two-three hours.
I thought that FV is supposed to keep them full longer.
3. A few times when I heard that suckling/licking sound, I would pick up the licking baby, cradle it and it would just fall asleep.
So, I thought that, maybe, it was not so much the hunger as the need to cuddle and be stroked to sleep?
4. Now their feeding mounts increased, of course, according to their weight and I am trying to feed them in the upper range of 7%.
But in about 3-4 hours they are back to licking each other.
Now, they don't always suckle. Sometimes, they just lick each other (or themselves): legs, butts, backs, faces, mouths, heads etc etc etc.
For the past two days they have been looking all very sleek and gelled up from all the licking they have been doing.
Would like to mention that not only did I feed them in the upper range of 5-7%, but also gave cc "snacks" in between to the lickers.
But I am also afraid to overfeed them.
Their poop began to change from bright orangy-yellow-golden firm nuggets to paler yellow a bit softer nuggets. They were still well formed, but on a slightly softer side - if I picked it, it would smudge.
Would this change in color to paler yellow indicate that I might be entering the overfeeding zone?
So, I am puzzled about all this licking.
Is it because they are hungry? But how can they still be hungry between eating in the upper range of 5-7% and getting "snacks" in between?
Is it because they need attention?
Is it simply that they are grooming each other?
Also - I know that 5-7% is a rule of thumb and some babies might eat a bit less or more, and I TRIED THAT. Even the most active lickers/sucklers absolutely refuse more than the "rule of thumb."
They just lock their tiny bottom teethies up and start wiggling and dodging the syringe.
Yes, I separated them a few times, and it seemed to work: everyone was peacefully sleeping for about 4-5 hours.
But if possible, I would like them to cuddle all together.
The most active sucklers/lickers are the most active eaters, too.
So, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Sorry, don't have pics yet, I need to get a camera.
Will try to get pics later.
The boy and the two girls opened their eyes this past Sunday/Monday.
One girl is trying to open her eyes beginning today.
Here are my questions:
1. Initially, I fed them 5-7% of their weight, which was about 5cc.
Two hours later they were licking each other and even suckling.
I assumed that they needed to eat more.
2. So, I increased the feeding amount up to about 6cc, tried even 7% but they just shut their mouth closed and would not take the syringe at all.
But even after the increased amount, they were up in two hours, again, licking and even suckling each other.
So, for a couple of days I ended up giving them 2-3 cc's worth of "snacking" in between meals and ended up feeding them every two-three hours.
I thought that FV is supposed to keep them full longer.
3. A few times when I heard that suckling/licking sound, I would pick up the licking baby, cradle it and it would just fall asleep.
So, I thought that, maybe, it was not so much the hunger as the need to cuddle and be stroked to sleep?
4. Now their feeding mounts increased, of course, according to their weight and I am trying to feed them in the upper range of 7%.
But in about 3-4 hours they are back to licking each other.
Now, they don't always suckle. Sometimes, they just lick each other (or themselves): legs, butts, backs, faces, mouths, heads etc etc etc.
For the past two days they have been looking all very sleek and gelled up from all the licking they have been doing.
Would like to mention that not only did I feed them in the upper range of 5-7%, but also gave cc "snacks" in between to the lickers.
But I am also afraid to overfeed them.
Their poop began to change from bright orangy-yellow-golden firm nuggets to paler yellow a bit softer nuggets. They were still well formed, but on a slightly softer side - if I picked it, it would smudge.
Would this change in color to paler yellow indicate that I might be entering the overfeeding zone?
So, I am puzzled about all this licking.
Is it because they are hungry? But how can they still be hungry between eating in the upper range of 5-7% and getting "snacks" in between?
Is it because they need attention?
Is it simply that they are grooming each other?
Also - I know that 5-7% is a rule of thumb and some babies might eat a bit less or more, and I TRIED THAT. Even the most active lickers/sucklers absolutely refuse more than the "rule of thumb."
They just lock their tiny bottom teethies up and start wiggling and dodging the syringe.
Yes, I separated them a few times, and it seemed to work: everyone was peacefully sleeping for about 4-5 hours.
But if possible, I would like them to cuddle all together.
The most active sucklers/lickers are the most active eaters, too.
So, any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Sorry, don't have pics yet, I need to get a camera.
Will try to get pics later.